The rise of the steering wheel lock
Car steering wheel locks are having a bit of a comeback. They were popular in the 80s and 90s, when it was easily possible to get into – and start – a car with just a screwdriver. Back then a steering wheel lock was arguably harder to beat than the car’s door locks! Even if a thief couldn’t start your car, they could smash a window, put the car in neutral, release the handbrake and tow it away.
These days car security is much better but there’s a real issue with keyless cars, which can be stolen using high-tech computer equipment. No screwdrivers or smashing windows required.
According to Halfords, sales of steering wheel locks have almost doubled over the past 3 years. Despite looking a bit basic, steering wheel locks are a brilliant layer of security.
Firstly they’re a great visual deterrent. Secondly, they make it clear to a would-be thief that they’re going to have to tackle the steering wheel lock once they’ve broken into your car.
Thirdly, some insurance companies will offer insurance discounts if you use one. So whatever you spend on a steering wheel lock will probably come back to you in insurance savings.
In fact, a friend of mine couldn’t insure her Audi RS4 in London without using a steering wheel lock.
Why steering wheel locks are gaining popularity
Sut simply? Keyless entry. If the burglar is standing next to the vehicle with a laptop and a third-party device, computer software can imitate the frequency broadcast from your key fob to your immobiliser and car alarm.
The outcome? In a technique known as a relay assault, the thief ‘pings’ your car key (which is probably in your kitchen) and the key replies. The thief’s software takes the code from that reply and uses it to imitate the key.
The vehicle wrongly thinks the owner of the legitimate key has unlocked it, allowing the criminals to drive off unnoticed.
Keyless entry is no longer luxury
The real issue is that keyless entry is no longer the preserve of luxury cars like BMWs, Audis and Mercedes. The humble Ford Fiesta was the most stolen car in 2020 and that’s partly due to the fact they have keyless entry systems.
It’s certainly worth thinking about buying a steering wheel lock, especially if your insurer has previously stated that the area you park your car is a particularly targeted one.
Different types of steering lock
There are a few different types of steering wheel locks but they are all based around the same concept: to prevent the steering wheel of the car being able to rotate freely, thus preventing the wheels from being able to be turned and therefore making the car virtually undriveable.
The most common type of steering wheel lock is the bar, which simply slots through the steering wheel, preventing it from being fully rotated.
However, there are also steering wheel covers that have a bar built in but also cover the entire steering wheel. There are some steering wheel locks on the market that also have a bar that attaches to the brake or clutch pedal, making it hard for a thief to drive your car away.
The Best Steering Wheel Locks
Both of the locks below have passed the Sold Secure Gold standard, meaning they can withstand a prolonged attack from various different professional tools.
With one of these fitted, it’s highly unlikely that a car thief would even attempt to break into your car, let alone steal it.
Sold Secure Gold rated
This easy-to-fit steering wheel lock is one of the best you can buy. It can withstand a sustained 300-second professional attack. The lock is pick-proof and comes with a master key and two spares. The steel construction can resist sawing and freezing. It exceeds the Sold Secure Gold standard.
Sold Secure Gold rated
The Disclok brand is one of the longest-running manufacturers of steering wheel locks. This is their highest security offering, which covers the entire steering wheel and is a brilliant visual deterrent. It also passes the Sold Secure Gold attack test. It’s unlikely a thief would even try and take this on.
A vital item for owners of keyless-entry cars
A steering wheel lock is both a great visual and physical deterrent but if you have a keyless entry system on your car, consider this.
Pictured above is a Faraday pouch. These pouches have a woven metal lining and when your keyless car-key is inside the pouch, it won’t be able to send or receive a signal. That way, thieves can’t relay in to transmit to your car key and unlock your car without the key.
It’s a simple and brilliant bit of kit and well worth having if you park your car on your driveway overnight.
Can a steering wheel lock be beaten?
Steering wheel locks are not impenetrable; skilled thieves have found ways to bypass even the most advanced automobile security systems.
However the trend in car theft is in computer-based technology. Modern thieves don’t necessarily have the skills required to pick locks or remove them. However, they can work a computer. The skills required to steal cars in the 1990s aren’t the same as the ones employed in the 2020s.
If two Range Rovers are parked in a street and one has a steering wheel lock fitted and the other doesn’t, which one do you think a thief is going to try and steal?
In fact, according to The Sun, in his three decades of work recovering stolen automobiles, American security expert and law enforcement veteran George Babnick claimed he had never come across a stolen car that had used a steering wheel lock.
Of course, this doesn’t rule out the possibility of it happening, and in tests, some are simpler to forcibly remove than others.
But, at around £80 they are an excellent way to keep your car safe.
Steering wheel lock security ratings
Search for ‘steering wheel lock’ on Amazon and you’ll get over 180 results. In my assessment, a lot of the steering wheel locks for sale are of dubious quality. I certainly wouldn’t bother with the cheapest one as it looks like you could bend it with your own hands (or a few basic tools at least).
Fortunately, steering wheel locks and covers are rated by some of the UK’s best security-rating organisations.
Sold Secure carry out ratings for steering wheel locks and at the time of writing there are two Sold Secure approved steering wheel locks, the Milenco High Security Steering Wheel Lock and the Disklok Steering Wheel Lock.
Thatcham Approved Steering Wheel Locks
Thatcham used to test physical security products like steering wheel locks but as of 2019 the organisation changed what they test.
They now tend to focus on products like trackers, immobiliser alarms and forensic marking. However they do still test and rate locking-wheel-nuts – the type of things that stop people trying to remove your alloy wheels.
Therefore, while some steering wheel locks claim to be ‘Thatcham Approved’ you must take this with a pinch of salt. They may have once been approved but the approval system no longer applies, so it’s subject to misuse by some sellers, especially those on marketplace sites, where there’s next to no verification of the quality of the products being sold.
Sold Secure Steering Wheel Locks
Sold Secure are an independent organisation who tests security products and rates them according to the length of time they can withstand an attack and the different attack methods they can help prevent.
There are three ratings in the Automotive category, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Any Sold Secure rating is a sign that a product is of high quality.
There currently aren’t any Sold Secure Diamond steering wheel locks but there are two gold ones on the market which we’ve listed at the top of this page.
Steering Wheel Lock FAQs
Do they still make gearstick and handbrake locks?
Yes they do but they’re not as popular these days due to the fact lots of cars have electronic handbrakes and automatic gearboxes. However if you have an older or classic car you can still get a gearbox and handbrake lock, which is also a great visual deterrent.
Can’t I just rotate my steering wheel until it locks?
Yes you can and you should. However, if a thief has entered your car using keyless relay, they can just start the ignition as you would and so the car will release this lock. The steering wheel is often locked in place in cars with power steering by a component known as an ignition lock cylinder, putting your keys in the ignition allows you to unlock this. Regardless of your car’s built-in security, an additional steering wheel lock is still advised because it’s a good visual deterrent and requires time and effort to remove.
What is the best car steering wheel lock?
There are many different styles that suit different cars and scenarios. There is no best but we have listed two in this guide that pass some of the toughest tests.
Can a car be towed with a steering wheel lock?
It is possible however it is unlikely. It could be towed onto a low loader and transported away but only if the wheels are straight and even then it wouldn’t be easy. It would be next to impossible for it to be towed by being connected to another vehicle with a tow rope as the steering wheel won’t be able to fully rotate.
Do steering wheel locks damage the steering wheel?
No, most are rubber or plastic coated which protects the steering wheel.
Do steering locks deter thieves?
Absolutely. Most thieves will not want to even attempt to remove a steering wheel lock, so they’ll likely leave your car alone.
Are wheel locks a waste of money?
No way, they clearly signal to the thief that you’ve thought about your security. What else do they have to take on that’s not visible? Is there CCTV, do you have a tracker? If you have a steering wheel lock it’s a very good deterrent.
Can thieves break wheel locks?
Yes, some of the weaker and cheaper ones can be bent and removed that way or cut with an angle grinder. However most thieves won’t want to use an angle grinder or any power tool due to the noise and debris they create.
Sources
Thanks to the following sources which helped us research and write this guide.
Thatcham Security Certification – Thatcham
Sold Secure Approved Product Search – Sold Secure – Security