► View all Land Rover reviews
► From Faraday pouches to trackers
► We tested them all to see how good they really are
Following 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 model range as well as the Discovery all make appearances in the lists of the most stolen cars in the UK.
With high value second-hand parts and limitless demand overseas, they’re continuous targets for thieves, and there’s no sign of the criminal underworld slowing down. The situation was so hard in 2024, that owners were struggling to renew insurance for the things – and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) had to step in to offer its own insurance policies.
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.
How to keep your Range Rover secure at a glance:
The best steering wheel lock: Disklok Diamond Edition – buy from Amazon
The best Faraday Bag: Disklabs Faraday Pouch Bag – buy from Amazon
The best car tracker: Rewire Security 104 PLUS – buy from Amazon
Obviously, it’s not a good look for the company, and JLR 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.
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.
How we tested:
We tested a number of car security products over time to test their true limits. These include steering wheel locks, trackers, Faraday boxes, and cameras which can help up the security level on your cherished vehicle.
Each item was assessed through its capability , ease of use, and value for money to help determine whether it’s a product we’d recommend to everyday motorists.
The best products to keep your Range Rover secure
Vonetti Alpha Shield Faraday Box
Pros
- Good quality materials and feels durable to the touch
- Proven to be immensely effective against key signals
Cons
- May feel very bulky in your trouser pocket
- Doesn’t represent as good value for money as others
One 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 helps stop these criminals in their tracks.
This Vonetti Alpha Faraday box is compact enough to fit a key fob inside before then being stored in your pocket or bag. Admittedly, it’s quite large and heavy when carrying it around in your trouser pocket, but it did its job perfectly when it came to blocking the keyless entry signal.
When approaching the car, it remained locked and didn’t sense any key. Similarly, when climbing abroad, the vehicle flashed up a ‘no key recognised’ sign – which means the Vonetti serves its task in flying colours.
Review by Alex Boyd
Disklok Diamond Edition Steering Wheel Lock
Pros
- A properly secure deterrent against thieves
- Tough, difficult to defeat materials and is even angle-grinder proof
- Quite easy to use, provided you have the space to do so
Cons
- Difficult to store, due to its size
- Tricky to take on and off in tight parking spots
It 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.
Upon testing it, albeit in a Mazda MX5 rather than a Range Rover, we found that it boasts excellent, sturdy build quality as well as a heavy-duty locking mechanism. It all feels as secure as it is, and we firmly believe this is one of the best ways to secure a high-value vehicle.
When opening and closing the lock, we found that you have to open the door quite wide in order to accommodate it. This inevitably means that taking it off and reattaching it in tight parking spaces is going to be tricky. However, the cons the Disklok has don’t outweigh the hugely important pros.
The Disklok has been awarded the ‘Secured by Design’ accreditation by the official UK police initiative and the ‘Sold Secure’ Automotive Diamond Rating certification. Usefully, it also comes in three sizes to suit different kinds of vehicles.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Stoplock Pro Elite Car Steering Wheel Lock
Pros
- Good value for money compared to other steering wheel locks
- Independently accredited by Sold Secure
- Easier to fit than the big Disklok unit
Cons
- Clumsy to store due to its pointy design, size and weight
- Isn’t as secure or durable as the big Disklok unit
Back 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.
Disklabs Faraday Bag Pouch
Pros:
- Good value for money compared to other security solutions
- Albeit quite chunky, it can fit into your pocket or jacket
- Proven to be effective against keyless fob signals
Cons:
- Is ideally better-placed in a jacket pocket or bag rather than, say, jeans
- Isn’t as affordable as we’d like it to be
A solid, affordable option to deter thieves from stealing your vehicle is a small, but simple Faraday pouch. Our personal pick of the range goes to this pouch from British company, Disklabs.
It’s compact enough to fit in your pocket, and we were impressed by its materials and durable feel. It gave us the impression that it’s a sturdy product and, upon testing, it proved to block any keyless signal when attempting to unlock a car with the key inside (with the pouch fully closed).
Interestingly, there was still some level of protection even with the pouch slightly open. It’s a bit large and chunky for day-to-day use, but it’s still a fabulous option for both value and effective signal blocking of a keyless entry vehicle.
Review by Alex Boyd
Eufy Security S340 Solocam
Pros:
- High definition recording in both day and night time
- No subscription required – you simply just buy the camera and set up an account
- Easy to use and comes with a remotely-operated light
Cons:
- The app is a bit fiddly to use
- It’s quite sensitive at recording random moving objects
An outdoor security camera without the need for a monthly subscription? Quite frankly, that sounds like the stuff of dreams to us, and the Eufy S340 Solocam is a great tool to keep an eye on your vehicle and driveway. The brand also offers doorbell cameras as well as other accessories, too. We got our hands on this device, so how good does it stack up?
The simple answer is very nicely. We tested this device both in the day and night and found that the quality of the footage recorded was superb – especially once you have the light enabled in the dark. You can also swivel around the camera remotely via the app as well as review all previous recorded footage.
What we found particularly annoying was that the sensitivity of the camera when sat idly. It recorded random encounters with pedestrians, cats, and on one occasion, even a moving bush in the wind. It’s a hassle trying to delete all of those ‘detected movements’ to free up space, and eventually became pretty annoying.
Other than that, however, the S340 served us very well as a worry-free camera that was easy to set up, required no charging thanks to its solar panel, and crystal-clear footage.
Review by Aaron Hussain
Rewire Thatcham S7
Pros
- Price includes professional fitting, which takes a lot of weight off your shoulders
- UK insurance approved, which is handy for lowering your premiums
Cons
- Subscription required, which is a hassle on top of the upfront cost
- Is massively expensive compared to other trackers available
Should 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.
104 PLUS 4G Magnetic GPS Tracker
Pros
- Easy to install and set up, thanks to magnetic design
- App is easy to use with a hyper-accurate GPS location
- Good quality item with a long-lasting 20,000mAh battery
Cons
- Subscription fee (monthly) required, which isn’t going to suit everyone
- Very bulky and more difficult than you think to place somewhere discreet
An even simpler way to install a tracker in your Range Rover is to get a magnetic one. The 104 PLUS 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 app. There’s a monthly subscription to keep in mind, but you get 12-months worth of historical route data as well as a number of alerts including power loss, ignition movement, and geofencing.
We tried it for ourselves and found it to be a rather bulky item. This is an issue if you’re trying to discreetly place it in your vehicle, and the only practical solution is to hide it beneath a solid panel, making it harder for thieves to find. But if you imagined tucking it somewhere in the boot for easy access, the 104 PLUS might be a bit too large for it.
Review by Aaron Hussain
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.
Tips and FAQs
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.
Why are so many Range Rovers being stolen?+
One of the reasons why Range Rovers always make the top 10 lists of the UK's most stolen vehicles is the value of spare parts. JLR reportedly instructed dealers to use second-hand parts to clear a backlog of unrepaired vehicles due to parts shortage in its supply network.
This inherently increased the value of said parts as they were and still are in high demand. Additionally, the status of the cars makes them very valuable overseas and to criminal clients. It's widely agreed that while there are many competitors, there's nothing quite like a Range Rover - even if they come with the fabled reliability woes. And thieves know this.
How to stop my Range Rover being stolen?+
There are a number of ways to stop your Range Rover from being stolen. Chief among which is ensuring your car has the JLR security update which has been rolled out across its current and older models.
Additionally, it's the responsibility of you, the owner, to ensure that your car is as secure as you can make it. So, setting it up with things like steering wheel locks, a tracker and more items is a certain way of deterring thieves from getting away with your high-value SUV.
Our list of tested products outlined above are superb suggestions which can help delay or even stop thieves in their tracks - saving you from a lot of headache.
Are newer Range Rovers harder to steal?+
Yes, JLR has worked with a number of parties to ensure that the new/current generations of Range Rovers, Defenders and Discoverys are harder to steal than the previous models. Additionally, the brand has upgraded the older models with newer security updates to make them more difficult to steal.
The predominant upgrade is a new type of key fob battery. Coined 'sleeping' batteries, they have a built-in motion sensor that can put they key into sleep mode after three minutes of static inactivity. JLR also supplied Faraday boxes to qualifying owners to keep their keys in. Additionally, they are also upgraded with a software update to prevent BCM theft - effectively a hijacking of the car's body control module.
JLR claim to have invested £15m to update more than 216,000 previous-generation cars, so they are protected better against theft. All these learnings and development mean that newer JLR products are more robust in security than before. So for instance, the L460 generation Range Rover is more secure than the L405 was before the security upgrades.
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