How was our Motorhome stolen off my drive with no damage to lock or ignition (1 Viewer)

[hilldweller]

could tracer software get this far,

The "normal" chipped key has a transponder module that works at and inch or so.

The new "keyless" cars where you just have the key in your pocket have a much longer range, these are the stupid ones that can be read at a distance and are a pension fund for the bad guys and a burden on insurance premiums.

 

[Charlie9038]

So we have a normal chipped key, looking like the habitation service dealer must have copied them to break in & start

 

[Richard n Ann]

So we have a normal chipped key, looking like the habitation service dealer must have copied them to break in & start

Or a bad employee? Perhaps difficult to prove.

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[Guigsy]

Did the police give any indication as to how they thought it was entered and driven away?

 

[Silver-Fox]

So we have a normal chipped key, looking like the habitation service dealer must have copied them to break in & start

I would be careful making accusations on an open forum.
Just saying

 

[hilldweller]

taking a relay out of the fuse box works and is easier to carry around

I don't know how serious you are but the number of insertions they are rated for is low, so you might get poor connections after not many uses.

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[Lenny HB]

I don't know how serious you are but the number of insertions they are rated for is low, so you might get poor connections after not many uses.

I agree, better to put a hidden switch in line with the fuel pump relay.

 

[Newfie]

@Charlie9038 check for a small screwdriver size hole by the side or just below the drivers door handle surround. As a known way to open fiat doors

 

[hilldweller]

I agree, better to put a hidden switch in line with the fuel pump relay.

Sound electrically but I worry about what happens the day you turn on with the switch off, maybe the dash lights up like it's Christmas and the engine light stays on.

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[Hollyberry]

Until you can get an alarm fitted I'd go for low tech, visible, make it harder to steal tactics.
If you have a swivel driver's seat, swivel it and padlock twice in place. Old fashioned "crook lock" on the steering wheel. Chain locks or wheel clamp. All delaying tactics making it less desirable to steal.
Oh and a "smile, you're in CCTV" sticker on the windscreen.

 

[The Dotties]

Have a word with Uncle Eddie. @eddievanbitz
Got strikeback, and non start.
I can track my van, in real time immediately down to 10 mts.
AFAIK the only way to bypass non start is to low loader the van, assuming strikeback hasn’t blown their eardrums.
I know some say that’s what insurance is for, but we’ve spent a lot of time, effort and money getting the van as we like it, and I would sooner keep it thanks.

 

[DaveandJen]

I think the star of the show must be the tracker you had fitted so the police could track it so quickly after it had been stolen,

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[Yorick]

What have the police said?

"Ello, Ello, Ello. What's going on 'ere Then?"

 

[Just smiffy]

Although my van is a 12 plate Aclass I’m quite glad that I have to open the van with a key and don’t have remote locking...

 

[Larrynwin]

I use Disklok as a deterrent, might make them look for an easier target or at least slow them down.

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[Charlie9038]

Did the police give any indication as to how they thought it was entered and driven away?

Perhaps a skeleton key into the drivers door, then use the same key to take the steering lock off then electronically via the diagnostic port disarm the factory fitted immobiliser, start her up the away she goes. The panel for the dignotics port had been removed and the cap for the port.

 

[Charlie9038]

So speaking to Fiat there has not been a spare key cut, which rules out my suspicion with the dealer or anyone else. To do this you need a v5 & it would be documented.
Which means the keys must have been cloned using software, looking on the internet its called relay theft. Scary as anyone else with a key fob/remote could get hacked.

 

[gus-lopez]

So speaking to Fiat there has not been a spare key cut, which rules out my suspicion with the dealer or anyone else. To do this you need a v5 & it would be documented.
Which means the keys must have been cloned using software, looking on the internet its called relay theft. Scary as anyone else with a key fob/remote could get hacked.

So basically the same as they have been doing the transits before ? There was an article earlier in the year stating that you could now get Fiat master keys on line

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[DaveandJen]

With your van being a recent 2016 model (assumed on a Fiat base) it’s worth dropping Fiat a line about how easy your van got stolen without forceable entry. With all the hype in their sales brochures about keeping your vehicle safe you should be looking for a free service voucher for your next service as a minimum.

 

[Charlie9038]

With your van being a recent 2016 model (assumed on a Fiat base) it’s worth dropping Fiat a line about how easy your van got stolen without forceable entry. With all the hype in their sales brochures about keeping your vehicle safe you should be looking for a free service voucher for your next service as a minimum.

yes its fiat, if you google cloning key fobs you can see how easy it is

 

[DaveandJen]

Lots of chat on here in the past about Ford based motorhomes being easy stolen, makes for a good early warning that the Fiat based motorhomes are not exempt.

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[joka250]

I increasingly feel that any vehicle is now easier to steal simply because electronic intervention is easier than ever. It's not just Ford and Fiat motorho mes.

 

[Gromett]

Perhaps it was just hoisted on the back of a flatbad then dropped off to check for trackers. If no problems they would come back and replace locks etc.

Just a thought. Seems simpler than assigning blame to dealers?

 

[Charlie9038]

Perhaps it was just hoisted on the back of a flatbad then dropped off to check for trackers. If no problems they would come back and replace locks etc.

Just a thought. Seems simpler than assigning blame to dealers?

Thanks but Definitely driven, our road has cars parked opposite our house and the way it was parked Would’ve be impossible, plus the low fuel light was on when i collected, i never run it that low. When we came back from our last trip the tank had more than that in.This has to be cloned.

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[DaveandJen]

Thanks but Definitely driven, our road has cars parked opposite our house and the way it was parked Would’ve be impossible, plus the low fuel light was on when i collected, i never run it that low. When we came back from our last trip the tank had more than that in.This has to be cloned.

Its good to talk on here. Please keep us all updated with any findings in the future.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Hi @webby1
We detailed the fixing of them here
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/fitting-pro-plates-to-fiat-ducato-2015-model.174576/
We were broken into in Spain by the simple method of pushing a very thin metal rod up under the rubber surround of drivers door handle. This unlocks the central locking and is well known. It left the tiniest of dings to see but there was more damage inside once door handle off.
Fitting the pro plates both prevents happening again and covers the damage and is a visible deterrent.
You are correct that you could just unhook the bar inside so key no longer works and you use remote only. As you have the backup of habitation door this would be ok but we have a PVC so have fitted proplate to rear door too.

 

[Terry242]

If you are concerned about some little sh*t intercepting your key fob signal whilst the keys are in the house, then one of these may help.... a Faraday pouch.

Amazon product ASIN
Terry

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[Charlie9038]

After having some thought on this and speaking to a few garages & specialists it would seem that my key and chip has been copied, which is good news for everyone else, but bad news for the dealer that i have my suspicion on as they are the only people that have had my keys for more than 2 hours.
Unless anyone else out there has had there fiat broken into without any damage to the locks or ignition the case is solved, just need to proove it now.

 

[eddie]

Relay theft is fine for keyless start and entry vehicles which the Fiat is not. https://www.timpson.co.uk/services/car-keys

If someone in possession of an original with a plausible story wanted to get a duplicate key, they can.

The motorhome was not really damaged, had been driven, had the steering lock intact

The keys were cloned, I cannot see any other scenario knowing all of the facts

Good to meet you both the other day btw @Charlie9038