Range Rover thefts prompt JLR to boost security on old and new cars

Range Rover owners will have extra protection against car thieves and the tech can be retrofitted to older models

Jaguar Land Rover has launched a new safety system to prevent criminals ‘hacking’ into its cars. The system is designed to counter ‘relay attacks’ where signal from the key is boosted or copied and used to unlock the car and drive away without the key. 

The new technology was developed in conjunction with Thatcham Research and includes updates to the ‘Body Control Module’, stopping keyless attacks. Even with the new safety upgrades, JLR maintains owners should use the firm’s ‘Remote’ apps which allow customers to access security features like lock reminders and ‘Guardian Mode’ – which will monitor the vehicle and alert if there’s suspicious activity around it.

• How to avoid keyless car theft

It’s not only new Range Rovers that can benefit from the latest security technology. It can also be fitted to previous generation vehicles (including those out of warranty). JLR points out that any Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar customers who have been contacted about available security updates should have them fitted by their local dealership. 

Data analysis and stolen vehicle recovery experts Tracker say six of the top ten cars recovered in 2022 were either a Land Rover or Range Rover. JLR claims only 0.07 per cent of new Range Rovers and just 0.3 per cent of Land Rover Defenders are stolen, however. 

New security updates designed to tackle keyless car crime have been rolled out on vehicles built from 2018, cutting Range Rover and Range Rover Sport thefts by over 40 per cent, according to JLR. 

Patrick McGillycuddy, Managing Director, JLR UK, spoke on the new security measures: “While vehicle theft in the UK is affecting the whole car industry, at JLR we understand the  negative impact this can have on the ownership experience for our clients. Our investment of  more than £10 million demonstrates our ongoing commitment to tackling this issue.”

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