According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), cases of vehicle-related crimes in England and Wales have significantly declined over the past few decades. While this is comforting news for car owners and a broad recognition of the improved security measures included as standard in new vehicles, we should remember that car thieves have not stopped operating.
It is therefore important not to become casual about vehicle security and run the risk of becoming a statistic ourselves. With that in mind, the following seven points are our top recommendations for improving car security.
1. Lock your car
This advice may seem obvious but ONS crime figures show that car owners consistently forget to apply this most basic security feature. Almost half of all vehicle-related thefts are because thieves had gained access through an unlocked door.
Get in the habit of always locking up, even if you will only be away from the car for a few seconds. Don’t solely rely on a quick press of the key fob either: check for audible or visual signals that the car has actually locked before you walk away. And if your Lexus has door mirrors that can automatically fold in when the car is locked, be sure to activate this feature – potential thieves recognise it is a clear visual sign of a locked car.
2. Keep valuables out of sight
Opportunist thieves are often looking for easy-to-grab valuables that have been left on display. Police report that items such as jewellery, bags, purses and wallets, cash, credit cards, clothes and documents are the most commonly stolen in vehicle-related crimes.
Reduce this risk by stashing valuables out of sight, such as in the glove box or boot. Better still, take those items away with you. And if you’re going to leave the car for a longer period of time, consider clearing the boot entirely and removing the parcel shelf or load cover to show thieves that there is nothing to steal.
3. Be mindful of signals
Most modern Lexus models are equipped with a keyless entry and start system – a convenience which sends a constant signal from the key fob in order to unlock the vehicle’s doors and de-activate the immobiliser as you approach. Although it is possible for tech-savvy thieves with special equipment to hijack this signal, they must be in close proximity to the key or vehicle.
So if you doubt the intentions of anybody in the immediate vicinity of your vehicle, wait for them to leave before approaching the car. Better still, whenever you are not driving, block the signal from the key by keeping it in a metal box or Faraday pouch. This is equally important at home as thieves can use a ‘daisy chain’ of receivers to relay the signal from the key (which is probably kept near the front door) to open the car.
4. Secure your port
Every new car sold in the UK since 2003 has been equipped with an on-board diagnostic port. Abbreviated to OBD, this port is a computer connection that allows the car to communicate messages about its mechanical health to an authorised technician. Unfortunately, thieves have discovered that with special equipment they can use this OBD port to programme blank keys to work with the car.
For this reason, some owners choose to secure their OBD port with an aftermarket lock. Typically, this can either be a lockable metal box that covers the port itself, or an electronic lock that works alongside the original immobiliser to disable the port when the ignition is off.
5. Protect your cat
Your catalytic converter, that is. The ‘cat’ forms part of your car’s emissions control system and cleans exhaust gases before they are expelled through the tailpipe. Unfortunately, the precious metals inside the cat that help to neutralise these passing gases are exactly that – precious. Which means that the catalytic converter itself has become a target for thieves.
Some owners have taken action to deter thieves by invisibly marking their catalytic converter with a forensic marking fluid, such as that provided by SmartWater. Mechanical theft prevention products such as Catloc devices can also deter thieves. These measures are explained in more detail in our dedicated article on catalytic converter theft.
6. Park with care
Thieves do not like performing in front of an audience, so the place where you park has a bearing on the vehicle’s vulnerability. ONS statistics show that the likelihood of experiencing a car-related crime is much lower in busy, town centre parking areas. This is especially true when car parks are well-lit and have manned or CCTV security coverage.
Similarly, the time at which you park your car has a bearing on its security. Most instances of car-related crimes occur in the early hours of the morning, so avoid leaving in your car in a dark, unfamiliar area overnight.
7. Extra security
Modern vehicles invariably come with a high level of built-in security – the specific features of which are usually designed to react in the event of an incident. But there are simple things you can do to actively dissuade a thief from pursuing an attack on your car. These measures include:
- The use of a brightly coloured mechanical device locked across the steering wheel, gear lever or clutch pedal will provide an excellent visual deterrent to a would-be thief.
- We may be living in a digital age but nothing will persuade an opportunist to leave your car alone more effectively than a good old-fashioned piece of ironmongery. Or for that matter, a snarling dog.
More information on preventing car crime can be found by visiting the Police UK website – www.police.uk – and by searching ‘car crime’.
I have purchased a 2024 reg NX350h . I understood that the new series is not vulnerable to canbus relay theft. Can you confirm? I’m concerned to see reports in my local area of Lexus thefts again but assume these are older models. Am wondering about installing the metal protective plate anyway as a precaution (but am hoping this vulnerability has been fixed by Lexus in latest model).
Good afternoon Ali,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We take the issue of Lexus vehicle theft very seriously. We are continuously developing technical solutions to make our vehicles more secure, to help reduce the risk of theft.
An enhanced security hardware system was introduced in October 2021 on the latest models targeted by criminals. Since which, we have seen a significant drop in thefts of those models.
Get in touch with your local Lexus Centre about the Vehicle Protection Plates. We hope to have further information on additional security measures available soon.
Thank you.
Hi, I have recently purchased a Lexus LBX…what extra security arrangements do you recommend? I note that you recommend the Stop Lock Pro Elite steering wheel lock for other models…would this be suitable for the LBX? Thank you.
Hi Elaine, thanks for getting in touch.
We hope you are enjoying your new LBX. This vehicle is not deemed as high risk, although a visual deterrent is always worthwhile. This type of lock should be fine, but you can also get wheel, gear stick and pedal locks too.
Thanks,
Lexus UK
Thieves have accessed the computer system via the headlight wiring on my previous and now on my current ES . After the first theft, I recovered the car by virtue of the ‘tracing’ device fitted as standard, but not before a significant amount of damage was done to the internal plastic shrouds and the wiring that is found underneath. This was all covered by my insurance and was dealt with by my local Dealership, but that produced a massive hike in my subsequent premiums.
Then again this year, having taken over a new ES 300H, thieves again attempted to access the CANBUS behind the nearside front headlight unit, in spite of the security cameras I had installed at my property and the use of a disclock on the steering wheel.
This time the thieves left empty handed but not before prising the front wing away and damaging the internal plastic in the wheelarch.
Once again my local Lexus dealership were sympathetic but offered no positive suggestion as to how the electronic unit could be protected from incursions of this type. Sadly, I feel that after 8 years of otherwise trouble-free motoring, I don’ t think I can continue to lease Lexus hybrids.
Hi Russ, thanks for your feedback.
We are so sorry to hear that your ES has been a target of CANbus theft. Whilst we do not publish the full details publicly, most of our latest models are not deemed as at risk of CANbus theft.
This is something that your local Lexus Centre would be best placed to discuss further.
Thanks,
Lexus UK
Hi Lexus
Can I confirm that my March 2022 registered Lexus NX450h+ , index LX22***, is NOT affected by the CANbus threat. Various Lexus on-line forum give varying answers.
If so, is this because the CANBus system is encoded?
Is my car suitable for fixture of a Ghost 11 immobiliser?
Thanks you in anticipation.
Hugh
Hi Hugh, thanks for your comment.
That is correct, your NX is not deemed as at risk of CANbus theft. We would recommend further precautionary measures anyway, such as a secondary immobiliser or tracker. Your local Lexus Centre can advise further and perhaps recommend suppliers in your area.
Thanks,
Lexus UK
Hi Lexus team, please Can you confirm if my UX FN73 *** is requiring any security updates. Thanks for answering
Hi Ricardas, thanks for your comment.
Yes, your vehicle is at risk of CANbus theft. Your local Lexus Centre will be able to fit a Tracker, please get in touch directly.
Thanks,
Lexus UK
Hello, could you please confirm if my Lexus UX **** **** is at risk of theft? Many thanks .
Hello Jake,
Unfortunately, your UX is vulnerable.
Please contact your nearest Lexus Centre to discuss further security enhancements.
Thank you.
I recently bought an NX. 300h 21 plate (LY21) from a Lexus dealership. I just stumbled on to this page and seeing worrying comments about Lexus security vulnerabilities. I am assuming this model is also affected by the CANBus theft threat? Can you confirm if this is the case and will my Lexus Center be fitting this free of charge?
I have also seen comments about other security upgrades from Lexus, can you confirm what upgrades are available and how to get them?
Would fitting a secondary immobiliser invalidate the warranty on my Lexus?
Thanks
Pete
Hi Pete, thanks for your comment.
Your local Lexus Centre can fit a Tracker to your NX, free of charge. We have no information on further security enhancements at the moment. A secondary immobiliser is a route many people are choosing to take and it will not automatically invalidate the manufacturing warranty. However, if an issue occurs that is linked back to the fitment of this device, then we would not be liable for the repair.
Thanks,
Lexus UK
Hello Lexus team,
Thanks for your response.
I am assuming the tracker is separate from the protection plate for the CAN bus?
Please can you confirm if my NX (LY21) plate would need the vehicle protection plate fitted as well (if it hasn’t been fitted already)?
Thanks
Pete
Hi Pete,
Yes, the Tracker device is different. There is currently no vehicle protection plate available for the NX.
Thanks
Hi Lexus Team,
Having just had my RX returned after a CANBUS theft attack, and being off the road for the best part of two months, I’m now thinking of installing a secondary Ghost II immobiliser. Can you please confirm that fitting this kit doesn’t invalidate the warranty?
Thanks
Stu
Hi Stuart, thanks for getting in touch.
This will not automatically invalidate the warranty, but if an issue occurs as a direct result of this fitment then the repair would not be covered under the manufacturing warranty, as with any ‘modification’.
We are also offer Tracker fittings, which your local Lexus Centre can assist with.
Thanks,
Hello Lexus Team
I have just purchased a NX350h (RF73). Having just read various comments in this post, can you please confirm if I am eligible to have the tracker fitted? Is this model at risk of the CANbus threats?
Thanks.
Akshi
Hi Akshi,
All vehicles are eligible for the Tracker fitting, but we will need the full registration number to confirm the risk level.
Thanks,