Hi, hoping to attract attention of the experts here. I would like to know how I can protect Fiesta from theft according to known vulnerabilities.

I have gathered case studies to find out how thieves are breaking in to Fiestas (including ST) and have (mostly) determined how it is being done.

• Driver door lock forced open unlocking all doors
• Climbing through the boot as this apparently does not trigger the alarm
• Starting car with OBD port
• Leaving car unlocked and thief walking up to boot and opening it
• Relay attack (only for keyless entry)
• Access behind light
• Access around wing mirror area
• Access around driver side wing area

 

My questions to the experts:

1. Because they climb through the boot, does this mean opening a door triggers the alarm?
2. What is behind the light that can allow access? https://www.reddit.com/r/CarTalkUK/comments/1jyb1rv/stolen_part_off_my_ford_feista 
3. What is behind wing mirror that can allow access? https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/131325-how-did-they-steal-my-car
4. What is behind wing area? What wires are those in the picture? https://www.reddit.com/r/CarTalkUK/comments/1dp2gcs/fiesta_st_was_recovered_after_a_theft_and_this
5. Do thieves target cars with unfolded mirrors? As this indicates the car is unlocked, but on my model they do not fold when locked

If you know of any more vulnerabilities, please comment (preferably how to mitigate it too). Thank you in advance.

Possible mitigations:

• Tracker
• Steering wheel lock
• Ghost Immobiliser
• Kill switch linked to battery/fuel pump/starter/ignition
• Fake OBD
• OBD lock
• Remove OBD fuse
• Sticker on window (ODB disabled)
• Dashcam
• Etch VIN on windows
• Faraday Box for keyless entry cars

I would like to disable the boot button as shown in this video of an ST but I don't understand how it is possible to trigger the lock's motor to open the boot with the wires removed since I am guessing those are power cables too.

From what I can see from online pics of the lock, there isn't another cable connected to the lock itself so I haven't a clue how the motor gets power to unlock with the fob. If it does, then that great as it would only allow boot unlocking via fob which is what I want.

 

Oh dear 🙄 

If the scumbags want the car they will take it. They know how to get in them.

Most of the mitigation methods that you have listed are very easy to overcome. Some on your list, like a dashcam, may even encourage the scum to break into the car. Probably the most effective one on your list is the Ghost Immobiliser but they are not cheap.

 

I agree that a car can never be 100% safe, but these mitigations should put them off a little, even if they get in. Hopefully enough for them to give up and move to an easier target. I had thought the folks here would be familiar with how they get in so thought I'd ask.

3 hours ago, landfall said:

I had thought the folks here would be familiar with how they get in so thought I'd ask.

Unless you'd had one stolen, how would you know - unless you're a thief of course, and they're unlikely to tell.

A number of folks have had cars stolen on the https://www.fiestastoc.com/  forum, might be worth asking there.

15 hours ago, landfall said:

Hi, hoping to attract attention of the experts here. I would like to know how I can protect Fiesta from theft according to known vulnerabilities.

I have gathered case studies to find out how thieves are breaking in to Fiestas (including ST) and have (mostly) determined how it is being done.

Do you have an ST?

If so, and you live in a high crime area, I would fit a home-made kill switch.  As above, if they want it, they'll take it, but that will slow them down at least.

Fit a proper steering wheel lock. Does 2 x things. It'll stop it being driven away, and will show scumbags you're aware of car security and they'll likely move on to something easier...

Don't waste money on one of those stick wheel locks, they'll simply cut trough the steering wheel with a cordless angle grinder which will take about 30 seconds...

I have a Ghost II immobilizer and I think that is probably the best. If you use a Faraday pouch check it occasionally as they are known to stop working. Even though I have the Ghost II I still use a Faraday box.

Most Stolen Vehicle Models in the UK 2024 - 2025

Statistics reveal the most stolen vehicle models in the UK that are top targets for thieves:

• Land Rover Range Rover – 924 thefts per 100k vehicles
• Mercedes Benz C Class – 323 thefts per 100k vehicles
• Ford Fiesta – 292 thefts per 100k vehicles
• BMW 3 Series – 290 thefts per 100k vehicles
• Audi A3 – 216 thefts per 100k vehicles
• Toyota Hilux – 185 thefts per 100k vehicles
• Fiat 500 – 152 thefts per 100k vehicles
• Volkswagen Golf – 149 thefts per 100k vehicles
• Ford Focus – 145 thefts per 100k vehicles
• Mercedes Benz E Class – 144 thefts per 100k vehicles