5 Mistakes That Make Your Car an Easy Target for Thieves
Car thieves are opportunists. They're not looking for the most expensive car on the street—they're looking for the easiest one to steal. And often, it's simple mistakes that turn your vehicle into their next target.
Understanding what makes a car vulnerable is the first step in protecting it. Here are the five most common mistakes that make your car an easy target, and how to fix them.
Mistake #1: Leaving Keys Near the Door
Why This is Dangerous
This is the number one mistake that leads to keyless car theft. If your car keys are sitting on a table near your front door, in a hallway, or on a kitchen counter close to an external wall, thieves can steal your car without ever entering your home.
How Thieves Exploit This
Modern car thieves use relay devices that can amplify your key's signal from up to 100 metres away. Here's how it works:
- One thief stands near your front door or window with a signal amplifier
- The device picks up your key fob's signal from inside your home
- A second thief at your car receives the amplified signal
- Your car thinks the key is right there and unlocks
- They start the engine and drive away—all in under 60 seconds
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The Fix
Never leave your keys near entry points. Instead:
- Store keys in a Faraday box or pouch
- If you don't have one, you're not really safe depending on how powerful their relay devices are but try the following:
- Keep keys upstairs or in a central room far from external walls
- Create a designated "key zone" deep inside your home
Even moving your keys just 5 metres further from the door can be the difference between keeping your car and losing it. Or else, you needn't worry about your car if you had a Signal blocking box or pouch.
Shop Faraday Boxes & Signal Blocking Pouches
Mistake #2: Predictable Parking Spots
Why Thieves Love Routine
Thieves scout neighbourhoods looking for patterns. If you park in the same spot every day at the same time, they know exactly when and where your car will be unattended. They can plan the theft, bring the right tools, and execute it quickly.
What Makes You Predictable
- Parking in the same driveway spot every night
- Always using the same street parking space
- Parking at the same time after work
- Leaving your car in the same shopping centre area
- Using the same gym or office car park spot daily
Thieves watch these patterns over days or weeks, looking for vulnerabilities.
The Fix
Break the pattern:
- Vary your parking location when possible
- Park in different spots in your driveway or garage
- Alternate between street parking spaces
- Choose well-lit, visible areas in public car parks
- Park facing different directions to change the approach angle
- If you have a garage, use it—especially overnight
Make it harder to watch you:
- Be aware of people lingering near parked cars
- Check for the same vehicles or people appearing repeatedly
- Trust your instincts if something feels off
You don't need to be paranoid, but breaking simple patterns makes you a less attractive target.
Mistake #3: No Visible Deterrents
The 30-Second Rule
Car thieves typically spend 30 seconds or less evaluating a target. If your car looks easy to steal, they'll attempt it. If it looks protected, they'll move on to an easier target. Visible deterrents make that decision for them.
Why Invisible Security Isn't Enough
You might have an expensive alarm system or immobiliser, but if thieves can't see it, they don't know it's there. By the time they discover your car is protected, they've already broken in or attempted the theft. That still means damage, stress, and insurance claims.
What Thieves Look For
When assessing a target, thieves check:
- Is there a steering wheel lock visible?
- Are the windows dark or can they see inside?
- Is there anything that suggests this owner takes security seriously?
- How long will this take compared to the car next to it?
Two identical cars side by side—one with a visible steering wheel lock, one without. Guess which one gets stolen?
The Fix
Add visible deterrents:
- Install a steering wheel lock (any of our three options work)
- Use window stickers that indicate security measures
- Keep your car tidy so nothing valuable is visible
- Park in well-lit areas where the deterrent is obvious
- Consider multiple visible deterrents for high-value vehicles
The psychology matters: A visible $60 steering wheel lock can often be more effective than a $1,000 hidden immobiliser because car theft is driven by psychology, not just technology. Thieves decide in seconds, and when they see a clear physical barrier, they’re far more likely to walk away and target an easier vehicle. A hidden immobiliser can’t be seen until after a break-in attempt, which means your car may still be damaged or rummaged through.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Software Updates
Your Car Needs Updates Too
Modern cars are computers on wheels. Your keyless entry system, immobiliser, and security features all run on software—and like your phone or computer, that software needs updates to stay secure.
Why This Matters
Car manufacturers regularly discover vulnerabilities in their keyless entry systems. When they find a flaw, they release software updates to fix it. But unlike your phone that updates automatically, your car only gets updated when you take it to the dealership.
Real-World Consequences
Some well-known vulnerabilities that were fixed through updates:
- Signal relay attacks that could be prevented with rolling codes
- Key fob cloning vulnerabilities
- CAN bus injection exploits
- Bluetooth security flaws
If your car's software is outdated, thieves can use known exploits that have been publicly documented online.
The Fix
Stay updated:
- Check with your dealership about available security updates
- Don't ignore recall notices—some are security-related
- Ask about software updates during regular servicing
- Sign up for manufacturer notifications about your vehicle
- If you bought used, check if previous updates were applied
Check your vehicle's software version:
- Many cars show this in the settings menu
- Your dealership can check it for free
- Some manufacturers have online tools to verify
Important: Software updates are often free for security issues, and they take 30 minutes to an hour at the dealership. That small investment of time could save your vehicle.
Mistake #5: False Sense of Security with Alarm Systems
The Hard Truth About Car Alarms
Car alarms have been around for decades, and they still have their place. But here's what most people don't realise: thieves have adapted. Modern car theft happens so quickly that alarms often don't matter.
Why Alarms Aren't Enough Anymore
Keyless relay theft doesn't trigger alarms: When thieves amplify your key fob signal, your car thinks you're unlocking it legitimately. The alarm never goes off because the car believes you're the owner.
Alarm fatigue is real: How many times have you heard a car alarm and ignored it? Everyone else does too. Thieves know they have at least 30-60 seconds before anyone even looks, and they only need 20 seconds to drive away.
Alarms don't stop determined thieves: If someone really wants your car, an alarm is just noise. By the time anyone responds, your car is gone.
The False Security Trap
Many people think: "I have an alarm system, so I'm protected." This leads to:
- Leaving keys near doors because "my alarm will go off"
- Skipping physical deterrents because "I have security"
- Not using signal-blocking products because "I'm covered"
- Parking carelessly because "my alarm will scare them"
The reality is that alarms are just one layer, and they're increasingly the weakest layer.
The Fix
Think of alarms as one layer, not your only layer:
Use a layered approach:
- Signal blocking (Faraday pouch/box) - Stops relay attacks
- Physical deterrent (steering wheel lock) - Visible protection
- Smart parking - Location and awareness
- Alarm system - Additional layer, not primary defense
Upgrade your alarm thinking:
- Modern alarms should integrate with phone apps
- Consider GPS tracking systems (won't prevent theft but aids recovery)
- Alarms work best in combination with physical deterrents
- Don't rely solely on factory-installed alarm systems
The best approach: Use your alarm system, but don't depend on it. Stack multiple security measures so if one fails, others protect you.
The Common Thread: Complacency
All five of these mistakes share one thing: assuming "it won't happen to me." But car theft statistics tell a different story. Thieves are professional, organised, and constantly adapting.
The Good News
Every single one of these mistakes is easy to fix:
- Move your keys away from the door (5 minutes)
- Vary your parking routine (no cost)
- Add a visible deterrent (under $99)
- Schedule a software update (30 minutes)
- Layer your security (simple planning)
You don't need expensive systems or major lifestyle changes. You just need to stop making it easy for thieves.
Your Action Plan
Start with these three steps today:
Step 1: Assess Your Current Habits
- Where do you store your keys?
- Do you park in the same spot daily?
- What visible security do you have?
Step 2: Fix the Easiest Mistake First
- Move your keys immediately
- Add one visible deterrent this week
- Check for software updates this month
Step 3: Build Your Layers
- Get a Signal blocker box or pouch for key storage
- Install a steering wheel lock for visible deterrence
- Vary your routine where possible
Don't Be the Easy Target
Thieves will always look for the path of least resistance. By fixing these five common mistakes, you're no longer that easy target. Your car becomes the one they walk past, looking for someone who hasn't taken these simple steps.
Protection doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. It just has to be smarter than the thief's plan.
Lock It the lockOZ Way
Ready to stop making these mistakes? Browse our range of tested, proven security products designed to make your car a hard target.