A relay attack is the most common method thieves use to steal modern vans. They don't break a window, pick a lock, or hot-wire the ignition. They use a £10 device bought on AliExpress to trick your van into thinking your key fob is next to it.
This guide covers how relay attacks work, which vans are vulnerable, and what actually stops them.
How a Relay Attack Works
Your keyless entry system works by radio frequency. Your key fob emits a low-power signal (typically 125kHz or 433MHz). Your van detects this signal within about 1 metre and unlocks when you touch the handle. When you press Start, it checks for the same signal to authorise ignition.
A relay attack uses two devices:
- Device A (the relay box) — held near your key fob (e.g., by your front door if it's in your house, or in your pocket if you're in a pub)
- Device B — held near the van (e.g., a small box held against the door handle or bumper)
Device A captures your key fob's signal and relays it to Device B. Device B repeats that signal to the van. The van thinks your key is next to it. It unlocks, starts, and drives away.
The key insight: The attacker doesn't need to know your location or break into your house. They just need to stand near your van with Device B while their accomplice stands near your house with Device A. If your keys are within 5-10 metres of Device A, they can steal your van.
Which Vans Are Vulnerable
Every van with keyless entry or keyless start. The list includes:
- Ford Transit Custom (all 2013+ models with keyless)
- Mercedes Sprinter (all 906/907 models with keyless)
- VW Crafter (2017+ with keyless)
- Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay (2014+ with keyless)
- VW Transporter T6/T6.1 (all with keyless)
- Ford Transit (full size, 2015+ with keyless)
Older vans (pre-2010) without keyless entry are not vulnerable to relay attacks. But they're vulnerable to other theft methods (jiggler tools, lock snapping, OBD port reprogramming).
Why Van Thieves Target Relay Attacks
It's not because it's sophisticated — it's because it's easy and low-risk. A relay attack takes 30-60 seconds. The thief doesn't break anything (no glass to leave DNA on, no forced locks to attract attention). The van drives away and looks like it was started normally. CCTV from the street looks like an owner getting in their van.
The equipment costs £10-50. The signal range is 5-15 metres. A pair of thieves working together can clear a street of keyless vans in 10 minutes.
How to Stop It
There are several methods, some more effective than others.
Faraday Pouches (Essential)
A Faraday pouch (also called a signal-blocking pouch or RFID pouch) is a lined sleeve that blocks radio signals. Put your key fob in it, and the signal can't escape.
| Product | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Defender Signal Blocking Pouch | £8-12 | Amazon UK, well-reviewed |
| Silverline Faraday Pouch | £6-10 | Cheaper, works fine |
| MonoLock Signal Blocker | £12-15 | Leather, looks nicer |
Test your pouch: Put your key in the pouch, walk to your van, try to open it. If the van opens, the pouch doesn't work. Return it and buy a different one.
Important: Some pouches stop working after 6-12 months of use (the lining wears out). Test yours annually. Also, many people buy a pouch, put the key in it, and leave it in the van — missing the entire point. The pouch is to carry the key WITH YOU. If it's in the van, a thief with Device B can still steal it.
Tin / Aluminium Box (Cheap Alternative)
If you don't want to buy a pouch, a metal tin (like an old Quality Street tin or a metal pencil case) blocks the signal effectively. A random metal biscuit tin from Tesco works as well as a £15 Faraday pouch.
Test: Put your key in the tin, close the lid, walk to your van. Try to open/unlock. If it works, the tin isn't thick enough. Double-wrap in aluminium foil first as a temporary measure.
Disable Keyless Entry (Free)
Many vans let you disable keyless entry via the settings menu. Check your van's manual. On a Ford Transit Custom, you can turn off keyless entry in the dashboard settings (Settings → Vehicle → Keyless Entry → Off). You still have remote locking/unlocking via the fob buttons. The keyless feature just stops responding to relay signals.
The catch: You can't disable keyless start on most vans (the Start button still checks for the key signal). But if the door is locked and the thief can't get in without breaking something, the relay attack already failed.
Physical Locks (Deadlocks + Steering Wheel Lock)
If a relay attack gets your van unlocked, a deadlock (Thule or Armaplate) physically prevents the door opening even if the central unlocking signal is sent. A steering wheel lock (Disklok or Stoplock Pro) prevents the van from being driven.
These don't stop the relay attack itself, but they buy you time. Most van thieves don't carry angle grinders. When they meet a steering wheel lock, they move to the next van.
OBD Port Lock
Once thieves are inside your van, the fastest method to start it without a key is the OBD port. They plug into the diagnostic port and reprogram the van's computer to accept a new key.
An OBD port lock (£15-25) covers the port with a metal bracket that requires a key to remove. It stops the OBD reprogramming method. Autowatch makes a good one.
What NOT to Do
- Don't keep your keys in the van — this is the most common mistake. Even in a Faraday pouch. If the thief steals the van with the keys inside, they have the keys.
- Don't rely on the van's alarm — factory alarms don't trigger on relay attacks because the van doesn't detect a break-in (it thinks the key is present).
- Don't assume GPS tracking will get your van back — Tracker or Biketrac is useful but recovery rates for stolen vans in the UK are about 40%. Many recovery attempts are abandoned when the van enters a shipping container at a Midlands industrial estate.
The Practical Setup
For most van lifers, this combination stops relay attacks:
- Faraday pouch for your key fob — carry it with you, test it annually
- Keyless entry disabled in the settings — still use the fob buttons
- Armaplate deadlocks on cab doors — mechanical backup
- Stoplock Pro or Disklok on the steering wheel — visual deterrent
This costs about £200 total and stops every relay attack. A thief with an angle grinder can still defeat items 3 and 4, but a thief with an angle grinder isn't doing a relay attack — they're doing a targeted theft on your specific van, which means someone wants it. That's a different problem.
Insurance
Tell your insurer about your security setup (deadlocks, steering wheel lock, OBD lock). Most UK van insurers (AXA, Direct Line, Markerstudy) offer a 10-15% discount for these measures. More importantly, some insurers now require them for keyless vans — check your policy wording.
If your van has keyless entry and you don't have a Faraday pouch, some insurers will reduce your payout if the van is stolen via relay attack. This is becoming more common in 2026. Buy the pouch.
