Jaguar Land Rover is rolling out a security update for thousands of its Range Rover vehicles in response to a recent surge in thefts and rising insurance premiums.

Models targeted are those made between 2018 and 2022. Owners will be contacted to visit dealers for updates.

According to data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Land Rover is the most targeted car brand by thieves in the UK. In the year ending March 2023, 8,284 Land Rovers were stolen in total, which is one percent of the overall Land Rovers in the country. 

Land Rovers are three times more likely to be stolen than the second most targeted brand, Mercedes-Benz. The Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic, in particular, is the most popular target of all Land Rover models. 

Upgrading keyless technology

The high resale value of luxury cars, coupled with the ease of manipulating keyless technology, are the main reasons why these models become prime targets for thieves.

Keyless technology, once seen as a convenience feature, has become a security liability in many luxury cars. Criminals can buy cheap hacking devices that exploit the radio frequencies to unlock and start the vehicles. This method is so effective that thieves can hack into the security system simply by standing near the owner’s home where the car keys are kept.

According to the National News, JLR is upgrading the security codes and frequencies in its cars to make them more difficult to hack, but the company is keeping the details secret.

“Engineers have been working on a significant number of interventions to counteract, avoid and get ahead of the ways that vehicles can actually be taken,” said JLR chief executive Adrian Mardell.

A JLR official said that its 2022 and later models, such as the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Defender, and Jaguar F-Pace, have the latest security features and are very resistant to theft.

The company has collaborated with insurance industry groups to demonstrate that the problem of vehicle theft is being fixed, especially after significant premium increases for owners, particularly in urban areas such as London.

A recent Telegraph analysis found that only two insurers offer coverage for a Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic in London, with the cheapest annual premium for a 35-year-old woman with six years of driving experience and no claims costing £22,515 on average.

“We’re very confident that our vehicles being purchased today are in a much more protected state than they would have been two to three years ago,” said Mardell.

Keeping your vehicles safe

Since luxury cars are prime targets for thieves, it is crucial to protect your vehicle. The Met Police shared some tips to keep your vehicle and what’s in it safe.

It is essential always to lock your vehicle and keep the keys safe, even when filling up or parked on your driveway. Don’t forget to close all windows and the sunroof. 

Remember that leaving your car running unattended while de-icing or warming up will void your insurance coverage if the vehicle is stolen.

If you have a keyless car, store your keys (including the spare) far away from the car when you are home. Place the keys in a signal-blocking pouch, or Faraday bag, and test the pouch’s functionality every few months. Physical security measures such as locks and immobilisers are also highly recommended.

Whenever possible, park your car in a well-lit and busy area, even if it means walking a few extra minutes. If available, choose illuminated and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award.

To bolster the security of your vehicle when at home, you can seek advice from security consultants like Marengo on how to protect both your home and your car. We also provide GPS tracking services for vehicles and valuable assets.