Car broken in to - how?

[Spinynorman]

@FrancisM, as you have found out there are 2 ways to gain access to the car/boot ignoring the App. Buttons on the key fob operate over a long distance whereas the door and boot buttons will only work if the key fob is within a sort distance if the car - tested to 1 metre in my car. As @siteguru says all access points are locked whenever the car is locked using whatever method.

I always carry my primary key in a Faraday Pouch, just in case, and test the efficacy of the pouch by trying to open the car using the door buttons when next to the car. As a result of testing, my original pouch houses my spare key and is wrapped in tinfoil because the pouch failed over time.

Yeah I always like to put the fob in pouch, then make sure the boot is locked before I depart. You’re right about the failure of the pouch though, as I’ve noticed recently I can approach the car with the fob secured and still open the car!
Will do what you recommended with tin foil until I can get a new pouch, I think…

 

[Big Ears]

Our key is at the centre of the house on hook, how far from the car does it need to be to out of range?

 

[siteguru]

That should be easily far enough away - the local scanning (for opening the boot or pressing the door button) only has a range of about 1m or so. If your boot still opens (assuming you've already locked the car with the fob) without the key being with you then there's something wrong.

Note: this is the MG4 board - answers you get here will pertain to the MG4.

 

[Anon70]

Our key is at the centre of the house on hook, how far from the car does it need to be to out of range?

Easy way to tell:
Leave your key in its usual location in the house
Go out to the car
See if it will open

If it does the key is still in range, if not then it is out of range.

 

[Ian Key]

If it does the key is still in range, if not then it is out of range

The key needs to out of range of someone with a scanner standing outside of your house.

Yeah I always like to put the fob in pouch, then make sure the boot is locked before I depart. You’re right about the failure of the pouch though, as I’ve noticed recently I can approach the car with the fob secured and still open the car!
Will do what you recommended with tin foil until I can get a new pouch, I think…

Make sure you put the key between the wire mesh lining and not between the cover and the mesh which is easily done with some pouches.
You can get a new pouch from Amazon next day if required.

 

[FrancisM]

Got my Ironstripe Faraday Box delivered from Amazon yesterday. Comes with a pouch too. Tested both by putting them against the door handle and pressing the button. The car remained locked.

 

[Big Ears]

Bugger.

Got my Ironstripe Faraday Box delivered from Amazon yesterday. Comes with a pouch too. Tested both by putting them against the door handle and pressing the button. The car remained locked.

Thanks Francis, it looks like a good one so I just put my order in.

https://amzn.eu/d/77tlTMw

 

[Robf]

Given all the issues with LKA it would seem pointless to purchase a faraday pouch, or worry about anyone stealing the car. If some neds do take your car they will pretty quickly get out and scarper after being given a very short scarey drive..... That's if the doors don't lock shut.

 

[Big Ears]

As the app is mentioned above, I've given up on that altogether, I'll try next time I pass the dealers.

 

[CharlesCarmichael]

I've checked my keys and distance required today, basically to press the button of any door I'm opening including the boot the keys have to be within 2 meters of the handle being used.

I can sit the keys on a wing mirror and try the boot and it will not unlock.

 

[FrancisM]

I've checked my keys and distance required today, basically to press the button of any door I'm opening including the boot the keys have to be within 2 meters of the handle being used.

I can sit the keys on a wing mirror and try the boot and it will not unlock.

But that's without a thief's signal booster.

 

[Joules]

Hello Lander99, you say that the back seat was down, did they gain access through the boot lid? do you think. As it can be opened separately, maybe it wasn't shut properly, though having said that, the horn peeps if a door is not shut properly.
I usually lock the car with the door button and that can indicate if the spare fob is in the car by peeping the horn...usually in the wife's handbag, the doors will lock if you use the fob if the other one is in the car...not ideal I grant you.

 

[Big Ears]

Bugger.

Thanks Francis, it looks like a good one so I just put my order in.

https://amzn.eu/d/77tlTMw

I forgot to add that I received mine, I went down with the spare key in the bag and the other in the box and I couldn't open the boot or the door with the button, the Boss stated it was all ball cocks.