Making something of a Renaissance in the year 2024, steering wheel locks are a low-tech, mechanical solution to the world of high-tech car crime alongside the high-tech faraday pouches and car trackers. Modern steering wheel locks are now packed with advanced car security features including drill-proof locks, hardened steel and advanced locking mechanisms, the perfect way to fight back against car crime.
Once commonplace on any car with a premium badge, a slab of yellow metal across the steering wheel was the biggest protection method money could buy. This was a time when most cars could be opened with some burly arms and a coat hanger, so every additional protection helped. Advances in locks and security measures such as magnetic car trackers saw them fall out of favour in the 2000s, but with the rise of keyless entry and, with it, keyless entry thefts, the police are now recommending the steering wheel lock for total peace of mind.
Picking the correct example for your needs is crucial, and there are plenty of variations. Skip the no-name branded options or anything claiming to be lightweight - these will probably offer the protective abilities of tissue paper. You'll ideally want to cover as much of the steering wheel as possible, or at least hold the steering wheel firmly in place, but without causing any damage to the finish. Look for independent testing to see just how secure the device really is; Sold Secure and Secured By Design are two to really seek out. Finally, a bright finish will ensure the device serves as a deterrent, too.
The best steering wheel locks 2024 at a glance
The best steering wheel lock: Disklok Gold Edition Steering Wheel Lock - buy from Amazon
Editor's pick: Stoplock Pro Elite - buy from Amazon
The best mid-range steering wheel lock: Stoplock Pro - buy from Amazon
We've rounded up the best steering wheel locks on sale, looking at these criteria. We've also factored in price and ease of use, two non-security features that'll still make a big difference. You'll be placing a lot of trust in a steering wheel lock, so make sure you get the best one you can afford. If you want to add an extra layer of security, have a look at our recommendations for the best wheel clamps.
The best steering wheel locks 2024
The best steering wheel lock
Via DisklokA heavyweight in the world of car security figuratively and literally, the Disklok is the ultimate way to protect a steering wheel. Completely covering the wheel with hardened steel that's designed to withstand power tool attacks, it's a solid bit of kit and an imposing protection device.
To further show its toughness, it has a Sold Secure Automotive Gold Rating, and it's ‘Secured by Design’, which means the police have independently recommended it. Add in a pick-proof lock and spin design to thwart lock attacks, and this really is hard to beat for pure security.
"More of a protective shell than a traditional steering wheel lock, the Disklok Gold is 4.5kg of steel protection for a car. I loved how it would spin on the wheel, the mechanical clunk as it locked, and the obvious deterrent it would serve to a criminal. The biggest issue I've had is its sheer size, which makes it hopelessly impractical for a car you'd use every day. You either need to sacrifice the passenger footwell or a decent chunk of your boot. For a car that spends most of its life immobile, it's the closest thing to a forcefield you can buy; for a normal car, it's too clunky."
Review: Ryan Gilmore
Read our full review of the Disklok Gold Edition here
Pros
- Last word in car security and designed to be tough and deterring
- Independently verified, hence its Sold Secure certification
- Great build quality and sturdiness
Cons
- Ideally needs to be bought with a cover to protect the wheel itself
- Ungainly to remove and bulky to store when not in use
Editor's pick
Via StoplokBoasting a 10-year guarantee, featuring an anti-drill lock and over 10,000 different lock combinations, the Stoplock Pro is a serious piece of kit in the fight against car thieves. Built from hardened metal pieces and featuring a yellow visual deterrent we doubt anyone would bother trying to steal your car with one of these fitted.
As the Pro Elite model, it's been independently verified as having a Sold Secure Automotive Gold rating. This means it's a genuine deterrent and perfect for keeping a car secure. The deeper bend means it fits most cars with airbags, and it perfectly balances protection and ease of use, making it our favourite pick.
Pros
- Sold Secure Automotive Gold award
- It should fit almost all steering wheels
- A solid visual deterrent
Cons
- It doesn't cover the full steering wheel
3.
Stoplock Pro
On sale
Via StoplockStoplock is one of the better-known brands in the world of analogue vehicle security, and has a wide selection of quality locks. As such, you can have a lot of faith in the Pro to keep a car secure.
Similar in many ways to the Pro Elite, the Pro also has Sold Secure Gold accreditation, toughened metal construction, and the same 10000 possible key combinations. In fact the only differences are the price point and shallow bend. This makes it excellent value for money, but you'll need to double-check it fits your steering wheel.
Pros
- Sold Secure Automotive Gold
- Replacement keys available
- Better value than Pro Elite
Cons
- Shallow bend in the design
- Not the most imposing design
Best slim steering wheel lock
Via MilencoResembling a modified baseball bat more than anything else, this option from Milenco is another really good option for car security. Again, it's Sold Secure Gold rated which means it'll put up a fight against some serious attacks, thanks in part to the hardened steel design and pick-proof lock.
The standout feature of this lock is that it's thinner than rivals, making application removal easier and less cumbersome. It still weighs a fair bit but is far more manoeuvrable than the other examples here.
Pros
- Sold Secure Gold rating
- Excellent build quality
- Slim and easy to fit
Cons
- Doesn't cover the full wheel
- Still weighs a lot
The best steering wheel lock bundle
Via Stoplockwww.halfords.com
Combine high and low-tech for the ultimate peace of mind, a Stoplock Bundle will include our favourite steering wheel lock to anchor the car in place, and a Faraday pouch to keep your keys safe from a relay attack.
This two-pronged method of protection is the best way of keeping a modern car with keyless entry secure, and you'll save a couple of quid buying the two devices together.
Pros
- Two methods of car protection in one bundle
- Has a Sold Secure Automotive Gold certificate
- Excellent quality items for both the lock and the pouch
Cons
- It has the same issues as the regular Pro Elite
Best wheel and pedal lock
Via MilencoIf you ever believe locking a steering wheel isn't enough, you can always opt for a wheel and pedal lock. These hit two birds with one stone, and are a preferred option for some.
Milenco's Classic Brake and Wheel Lock consists of a twin hook design locked in by a set of keys. Milenco say it's made from hardened steel that's designed to be so tough, that it can't be cut by a hacksaw. This is a reassuring strapline and because it's not a bulky full wheel cover, it is easier to get on/off and store away until the next time you use it.
Pros
- Easier to use and store than other locks, thanks to slim design
- Keeps the brake pedal locked in place as well as the steering wheel
- Slightly better value for money than others at under £40
Cons
- It isn't the last word in absolute security, which is what many want
Steering wheel locks: what you need to know about car security
What is a relay attack?
Only keyless cars are subject to a relay attack. This is when a pair of miscreants use devices to relay signals from the car to the car’s remote. One of the rascals stands near the car with their relay device and sends that signal on to the other scoundrel who stands near the house, or wherever the car remote is. They then use their device to pass the signal on again to the remote.
When the remote picks up the signal, it responds and unlocks the car, like it normally would. This, of course, applies to modern vans, too. Like Strictly on the telly, these relay car thefts can be quite painful to watch on YouTube. And if you look them up for yourself, you’ll see they don’t take long.
How can I prevent my car from being stolen?
It’s a worrying topic, certainly as we've simultaneously see spikes in car crime in modern vehicles. One of the best ways to fight this is with an RFID key pouch to block the signals. But we also return to the steering wheel lock. It simply provides another hurdle that any potential car thief has to encounter. Luckily, even great quality ones aren’t expensive these days.
However, for chunkier, more deterring methods: nothing can quite get close to a good old-fashioned steering wheel lock. The Disklok Gold Edition and the newly-launched Diamond edition are perhaps the safest bets out there in the world of car security.
There are other aftermarket methods, too. Such things include entire immobiliser systems installed, such as a Ghost installation or similar. These can get quite expensive. However, many will argue that if you have a high risk car like a Range Rover, it's worth investing in.
Are steering wheel locks worth it?
If you take pride in your vehicle and want to take whatever steps you can to protect it, then absolutely. A strong steering wheel lock from a trusted brand is a great protector to any car and a strong deterrent to thieves. This is because in most car theft situations, they don't want to spend no longer than a minute or two getting in a car and driving away. A well-guarded lock delays a thieves' getaway, which can cause them to give up after being defeated.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he's not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.