With a flurry of press articles warning of a large increase in the number of upmarket vehicles being targeted for theft, now is the time to look at how to keep your Range Rover secure. A number of recent reports have shown that the Range Rover, along with its stable mates Evoque, Sport as well as the Land Rover Discovery are all included in the list of most stolen cars in the UK. It's so bad that at one point it was virtually impossible to get insurance for them.
Car security has always been important, and technological advances mean that a large number of thefts today are achieved by cloning the RFID signals from the key fob or gaining access to the OBD port inside the car. This is especially true for upmarket vehicles like the Range Rover, which are lucrative targets where they can fetch serious money abroad or simply be stripped for parts.
Obviously, this is not a good look for the company, and Jaguar Land Rover is spending £10 million retrofitting older vehicles with its latest security technology. This will encompass models going back to 2018 and will be run through the JLR dealer network.
How to keep your Range Rover secure at a glance:
Editor's choice: Ironstripe Faraday Box - Buy now from Amazon UK
The best steering wheel lock: Disklok Car Steering Wheel Full Cover - Buy now from Amazon UK
Best for OBD port protection: Bi Automotive OBD Cover - Buy now from Amazon UK
In the meantime, it might be worthwhile taking a look at some relatively quick and easy steps you can take right now to reduce the risk of your Range Rover joining the statistics. From preventing thieves from performing a relay attack to a good old-fashioned steering lock, we have the details here.
The best products to keep your Range Rover secure
Editor's choice
Via AmazonOne of the most common ways of stealing Range Rovers is using a repeater box to copy signals from your electronic key fob and gain access to the car. A Faraday box effectively blocks these signal attacks and prevents the thief from gaining access to your car.
The Ironstripe Faraday box is a smooth, good-looking box that won’t look out of place on the hallway table, the kitchen counter, or the bedroom drawers. It’s a decent size, so it will hold multiple key fobs along with your smartphone and credit cards.
The interior is fitted with a double layer of shielding material, and it comes with a handy Faraday pouch for use when you are away from home. It’s also available in a smaller size for just a couple of key fobs.
Pros
- Larger size for multiple fobs
- Comes with pouch
Cons
- The catch can be tough
The best steering wheel lock
Via DisklokIt can't be said often enough, but the majority of thieves are looking for easy pickings and seeing a full steering wheel cover like this is likely to dissuade all but the most determined.
It features a bright colour and tough materials, and it completely prevents any kind of steering control. It's incredibly difficult to remove, even with industrial cutting equipment, and the locking barrel itself has been built to be drill and pick-proof.
The Disklok has been awarded the 'Secured by Design' accreditation by the official UK police initiative and the 'Sold Secure' Automotive Gold Rating certification. It comes in three sizes to suit different kinds of vehicles.
Pros
- Highly visible
- Tough, difficult to defeat materials
Cons
- Difficult to store
The best visual deterrent
Via StoplockBack in the '70s, '80s and '90s, steering wheel locks were an incredibly popular method of securing vehicles. As technology moved on and vehicles became more secure, these fell out of favour. But the wheel has almost turned full circle as thieves are managing to find ways to defeat the Range Rover's high-tech security systems.
This Stoplock wheel lock works largely as a visual deterrent but also makes use of hardened internals and an anti-drill lock to stop any removal attempt and slow down any potential theft. And remember, you can't hack a Stoplock with a laptop.
Pros
- Visual deterrent
- Easy to fit
Cons
- Clumsy to store
The best OBD Port Protector
Via Bi AutomotiveOnce inside your car, thieves can get your car going is by using the OBD port. The Onboard Diagnostics port is used by technicians use to plug in their gadget to diagnose faults. It'll come as no surprise to learn that car thieves have found a way to use this port to overcome the immobiliser and nick your Range Rover.
This OBD protector fits securely over the OBD port, preventing access to it. The solid metal cap is plugged into the OBD socket and secured with two security screws, which can be easily removed using the security tool when you need access to the port.
Pros
- Quick and easy
- Non-intrusive
Cons
- Remember not to lose the security removal tool
The best dummy OBD port
Via OBD Guardwww.ebay.co.uk
This method to protect your OBD port is slightly more complicated to install but has the same outcome, it prevents the thief from overriding the immobiliser and stealing your car. Basically, you are removing the original OBD port from its handbook-recognised location and replacing it with a dummy port while you relocate the live OBD port to another secret location behind the dash. The dummy port will act like a live OBD socket but will not transfer any data to the thief, giving the impression that the data has been blocked. At this stage, it's unlikely the thief will waste valuable time trying to find the live port.
Pros
- No information transferred
- Only you will know where the live OBD connector is
Cons
- Requires a bit of work to install
The best tracking system
Via RewireShould the worst happen and your Range Rover does get stolen this bit of kit should play a major part in the recovery process. Rewire Security offers an S7 GPS unit that is professionally installed and, in addition to the 24/7 monitoring and GPSLive app, also includes a tow alert that is sent out if the vehicle is being moved while the ignition is off.
The great thing about Thatcham systems is that they're insurance-approved. And if you're lucky, you could get up to 20% off your next renewal once you have either the S7 or S5 series fitted.
Pros
- Price includes professional fitting
- UK insurance approved
Cons
- Subscription required
The best magnetic tracker
Via RewireAn even simpler way to install a tracker in your Range Rover is to get a magnetic one. The 104 PRO sticks to any metal surface, so you can hide it anywhere from the cabin to the boot area.
The battery can last up to 90 days on a single charge, and the unit is easily trackable via the GPSLive app. There's no subscription, but to get all the perks, there is a pay-as-you-go fee, which works out at around £40 for six months.
Pros
- Easy to install
- App is easy to use
Cons
- Pay-as-you-go fee required
CAR's top tips for keeping your Range Rover secure:
Dissuading a thief from stealing your Range Rover involves making it as challenging as possible for them to succeed. These bits of advice might sound like the same old tips over and over again, but their validity in helping prevent theft remains.
Security Signage:
Place signs or stickers showing that your Range Rover is equipped with a security system. This can act as a deterrent by making potential thieves aware that your car is not going to be an easy target.
Well-Lit Parking:
Park your Range Rover in well-lit, busy areas. Thieves are less likely to attempt theft in areas with good visibility, as they prefer darkness and seclusion.
Garage Parking:
If possible, park in a locked garage. This adds an additional layer of security and makes it harder for thieves to access your car.
Use Steering Wheel Locks:
Steering wheel locks are highly visible and physically obstructive. Thieves may be deterred by the extra effort required to remove them.
Window Etching and Marking:
Etch your vehicle identification number (VIN) onto windows and use other marking methods. This not only makes your car less attractive to thieves but also aids in recovery if stolen.
GPS Tracking:
Install a GPS tracking device in your Range Rover. This can help the police locate and recover your vehicle more quickly if it's stolen.
Key Management:
Be careful with your keys. Avoid leaving them in obvious or easily accessible places. Place them in a Faraday box whilst at home to prevent the RFID signal from being intercepted. Use a Faraday pouch to store your fob about your person when you are out and about.
Join Vehicle Watch Programs:
Participate in local vehicle watch programmes or neighbourhood watch groups. Being part of a community which is aware of and is tackling crime can enhance overall security.
Remember that no security measure is foolproof, but combining those listed above can significantly reduce theft risk and make your Range Rover less appealing to potential thieves. Additionally, make sure you stay up to date with local crime trends and take the appropriate precautions.
Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer at CAR and Parkers and loves travel, gardening, DIY and music.