If you are that bothered then a good old fashioned lump of metal called a steering wheel lock bar is still the best deterrent to opportunistic theft of the vehicle.

I agree the current KESSY has a security design flaw that perhaps the manufacturers should think about offering a retrospective mod (at cost) for those that would like it but it really isn't the end of the world !

The criminal mind is likely already working on how to defeat the latest versions.  

 

p.s. More details on MTL's mod from the video would be useful. Is it in the current infotainment, a VCDS mod or something else??

I do agree they’ll be working on the next hack and that existing owners should get a fix.

 

It is just a bit mad that they’re still selling cars that effectively have no locks (that’s how small the kit is now).

 

To be honest, I think if the fix in that video (sorry I have no further details) was available from a dealer now, it would be a good start.

Timely, given this thread....

 

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/news-and-appeals/news/warning-after-increase-in-thefts-of-keyless-entry-cars/

 

 

For max security, its going to end up more hassle using Kessy than conventional key!

Disklok, third party touch immobiliser..... it’s the 80s/90s again 

 

Skda need to use the updated tech from now if they’re not they’re not already.

 

Plus a permanent keyless entry disable option in the infotainment system should be put on all cars as an f.o.c. update

Edited 1 August, 20187 yr by cheezemonkhai

looks like i've to repost again cause people don't read earlier posts........

not saying this will eliminate all possible theft, but it will atleast make things alot harder.

 

 

they (Skoda) have made changes to KESSY from MY19 onwards, however MY19s are yet to roll off the production line........

 

SKODA SUPERB - change of the product MY2019
KESSY-key motion sensor

Key without movement does not transmit signal for a certain period of time - protection against thefts.
The wireless remote control will be equipped with a position sensor.
Presently

- Possibility of theft

New

- Key without movement secure
- The key is in motion without protections

 

details here from a Russian website - https://www.drive2.ru/l/502985613973127732/

5 hours ago, JR RS said:

looks like i've to repost again cause people don't read earlier posts........

not saying this will eliminate all possible theft, but it will atleast make things alot harder.

 

 

they (Skoda) have made changes to KESSY from MY19 onwards, however MY19s are yet to roll off the production line........

 

SKODA SUPERB - change of the product MY2019
KESSY-key motion sensor

Key without movement does not transmit signal for a certain period of time - protection against thefts.
The wireless remote control will be equipped with a position sensor.
Presently

- Possibility of theft

New

- Key without movement secure
- The key is in motion without protections

 

details here from a Russian website - https://www.drive2.ru/l/502985613973127732/

 

I did read it, but I have asked and am waiting to hear from a uk source if this the the case. UK dealers I have asked know nothing of this.

 

It’s not unknown to have different specifications for different countries while using up old stock.

 

plus that doesn’t help owners of stock cars, cars built on one MY, then sold from stock on the next plate etc.

 

This mode of theft is currently a quite common problem in the U.K.

Edited 2 August, 20187 yr by cheezemonkhai

So after a vague we use cutting edge technology, I have just had it confirmed on an email by the dealer that the Kessy system doesn’t support the motion detection in the UK for MY19 superb.

 

i will be asking what is in place to stop replay attacks, but frankly unless there is a solid solution I will be cancelling the order.

 

Complete disregarding for customer and frankly disgusting that such vehicles are allowed to continue to be sold. (Not just by Skoda, but by any manufacturer. If it’s not secure, go back to a key.)

Edited 8 August, 20187 yr by cheezemonkhai

So, cancelling an order due to worries about potential theft of a vehicle due to keyless?

 

I don´t get it. But hey, we can´t all be alike

So you buy a new car, get some good GAP insurance and you may at some point have to claim on the insurances to get a replacement vehicle.

There will always be a risk of theft and the villains always seem to progress more quickly than the tech. 

I wouldn't let it bother me that much. A few simple measures to reduce the risk and away you go to enjoy a car that has attracted you. But as GaSelle says----------

3 hours ago, GaSelle said:

So, cancelling an order due to worries about potential theft of a vehicle due to keyless?

 

I don´t get it. But hey, we can´t all be alike

 

Best not to build a house with windows cause thieves can break them with readily available devices called "bricks"!!!

 

Hmm......

Lets not forget our cars have one of the most potent theft deterrents on the market.....

 

A Skoda badge!

 

Or maybe a sticker in the windscreen with the words,

 

"This diesel has had the VW fix applied"

 

Who would want to steal that? 

Indeed. And I don’t disagree, although Skoda spares fit more expensive cars.

 

Insurance.. yes but it goes up and VW get two sales for failing to fix it.

 

However the fix has been known for years, they were going to but decided not to.

 

Add to that, that I travel around and am more concerned that the car is effectively always unlocked and stuff gets taken. A disklock or immobiliser stops the car being driven off but not everything being taken from it.

 

I may as well run the old one into the ground and look at cars again when it is fixed as it’s a car for 4 years. This combined with the uncertainty around diesels pushes me towards cancelling.

 

I am currently waiting to hear if keyless entry can be disabled, but exit etc left on.

 

 

 

Edited 9 August, 20187 yr by cheezemonkhai

From the manual:-

 

Deactivating KESSY

Read and observe and on page 55 first.
› Lock the vehicle with the button on the key.

› Within 5 s, touch the sensor on the door handle with your finger » Fig. 46 on page 56 - . Deactivation is confirmed by a single flash of the direction indicators.
› To check the deactivation, wait at least 10 seconds and then pull the door handle. The door must remain locked.
The KESSY system is activated again automatically after the vehicle is unlocked

Thanks, I have seen that but meant permanently disable the unlock via vcds or better still an infotainment option.

 

It should be easy, but I get the impression they don’t care until it costs them money.

 

 

https://eprint.iacr.org/2010/332.pdf

 

One of the research papers for anyone that is interested.

20 hours ago, JR RS said:

 

Best not to build a house with windows cause thieves can break them with readily available devices called "bricks"!!!

 

Hmm......

 

Except throwing a brick through the window doesn’t automatically disable the house alarm, unlock all the doors and let the thief remove the house in silence to be sold or broken down for parts at their convenience.

 

Your analogy is more akin to the vulnerability in normal remote keys, in that it’s not silent, not always a risk and not without any evidence.

Edited 10 August, 20187 yr by cheezemonkhai

So regardless of what your take on thing is, this is worth a read as Thatcham and insurance are being more detailed about this, including mandatory security from 2019...

 

https://www.insurancetimes.co.uk/keyless-entry-set-to-drive-up-motor-premiums-/1426962.article

Does Kessy have a locking steering wheel?

3 minutes ago, xman said:

Does Kessy have a locking steering wheel?

yes

5 hours ago, xman said:

Does Kessy have a locking steering wheel?

 

5 hours ago, TerryMcK said:

yes

 

Whch is unlocked when the key is in the car...

 

Am I missing something?

 

That last post was more a Thatcham will be updating the mandatory list to include fixes for messy type systems. Information more than anything else.

 

 

I cant see what was wrong with the simple answer I gave to @xman question!

8 hours ago, xman said:

Does Kessy have a locking steering wheel?

 

8 hours ago, TerryMcK said:

yes

 

2 hours ago, TerryMcK said:

I cant see what was wrong with the simple answer I gave to @xman question!

 

It may suggest that the lock actually has some purpose. 

I'm confused.

 

As Kessy has no physical key mechanism on the steering column, how is the wheel locked?

 

As I read it, the Thatcham article suggests that from 2019 Kessy cars will get lower security ratings than conventional key cars unless some major, as yet unspecified, improvements are made, which will affect current cars as I don't see VAG being able to upgrade them. They're not going to issue new keys free, that's for sure.

 

Insurance premiums will go up for those vulnerable cars.

 

It seems to have something like an electrically controlled actuator that locks the wheel and column just like a key equipped car. You hear it click I think a few seconds after you have sat in the car with the Kessy on your person. Then the wheel is free to rotate.