New OBD Theft Tricks to Steal Cars in Australia & How to Deter Them

If you drive a push-start or keyless car, WATCH OUT, there’s a growing threat you might not know about — car theft through the OBD port. Yep, criminals are no longer just smashing windows. They’re now hacking your car’s brain. 

In this post, we’re breaking down how this kind of car theft OBD attack works, where it’s happening most, and what you can do to protect your vehicle with tools like an OBD port lock.

Let’s get into it.

What Do You Know About Car Thefts Using OBD Ports?

Gone are the days when car thieves relied on brute force or hotwiring. Modern vehicles come with advanced security features — but thieves have evolved too. Instead of breaking in the old-fashioned way, they’re now exploiting the OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port — the vehicle’s access point for diagnostics and programming.

Now, more thieves are targeting cars using OBD II hacking tricks. What’s scary is that these methods are fast, quiet, and often leave no sign of forced entry.

Once a car is stolen, the damage doesn’t stop there:

• You’re left without transport to work or school
  

• Insurance claims can be a nightmare - Insurance claims are getting trickier. If your insurer believes you left your keys too close to the door or didn’t take reasonable security measures, your claim might be delayed — or denied.
  

• You may never feel safe in your own driveway again

So, this is not just about losing a car — it’s about how badly it messes with your everyday life.

Where’s It Happening Most in Australia?

Sadly, it’s happening more often — and especially in Victoria.

• In the 12 months to Sept 2024, 25,773 vehicles were stolen in Victoria — that's 6,408 more than the year before.
  

• According to Victoria Police, 20% of those thefts involved thieves plugging into the OBD port with devices that let them reprogram the car. That means nearly 1 in 5 stolen cars was hacked — not hotwired.

And here’s the kicker: most car thefts happen at home. That's according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. So even if you think your car’s safe in the driveway, think again.

Image Source: budgetdirect.com.au 

The Most Targeted Cars?

Holdens, Toyotas and Subarus have been getting hit hardest with some makes and models are being targeted more than others:

• Holden thefts up 92.9%
  

• Toyota up 76.4%
  

• Subaru up 107.8%

Source: Victoria Police

If you drive one of these, your car could be next. That’s why we highly recommend installing an OBD port lock — it’s a fast, affordable way to stop thieves before they even start.

👉 Shop OBD port locks for your car:

• Toyota OBD Lock

• Holden OBD Lock

• Subaru OBD Lock

How Do These OBD Tricks Actually Work?

Let’s break it down as simply as we can.

🔌 What Is an OBD-II Port?

The OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics) port is a standard plug found in cars built after 2006. Mechanics use it to run diagnostics and fix issues. It’s usually under the dashboard near the steering wheel.

The problem? It gives full access to the car’s computer system - the ECU.

⚠️ Here’s What Thieves Do:

1. Plug in a programmer: They connect a small device to the OBD port and generate a brand-new car key.
   

2. Relay attacks: These thieves use devices to "boost" the signal from your real key (even if it's inside your house), unlocking and starting your car remotely.
   

3. Disable alarms: Some gangs first silence your horn or lights to avoid drawing attention while they do their work.

And yes — they can do all this in under 2–6 minutes. That’s quicker than your morning coffee run.

🔗 Related Watch: 9 News Australia – Motorists warned about new technology behind jump in car thefts

What’s the Most Effective Way to Deter OBD Car Theft?

Car thieves look for easy targets — and keyless cars without protection are just gold mine for them. If you make your car harder to steal, most thieves will walk away.

Let’s start with the two best tools to deter car theft through the OBD port — then we’ll touch on a few other add-ons that help secure your car even further.

🔐 OBD Port Lock – Your First Line of Defence (Highly recommended)

This small but powerful device physically locks your car’s OBD II port — stopping thieves from plugging in diagnostic tools to reprogram keys or disable your security system.

What It Does:

• Blocks all access to your car’s OBD port

• Simple to install, no wiring needed

• Highly effective against car theft through the OBD port

• Recommended by Victoria Police, RACV, and car security experts

What they’re saying:

“Ever heard of an OBD port lock? This tiny gadget could make a big difference when it comes to protecting your car.”
— Victoria Police

“An OBD lock is a simple, yet effective tool that can significantly reduce the risk of theft.”
— Jeff Ames, RACV GM of Motoring Products

👉 Grab one today at Souped.com.au — we’ve got OBD locks for Toyota, Holden, Subaru, Honda, Lexus, Mercedes, and more.

📡 Faraday Pouch or Box

This is your defence against relay attacks, where thieves capture your key’s wireless signal and use it to unlock and start your car remotely.

What It Does:

• Blocks wireless signals (RFID, NFC) from your car key

• Prevents thieves from cloning or boosting your key signal

• Easy to use — just drop your key in and you’re protected

👉 Protect your key fob with a Faraday box from Souped.com.au — compact, stylish, and built to block RFID.

Other Tools to Boost Your Overall Car Security

While they’re not specific to OBD port attacks, the following tools add strong backup protection — and layering security is always smart.

⚙️ 1. Immobiliser

An immobiliser is an anti-theft device that stops your car from starting unless the correct authentication is given — even if someone manages to break in or access the OBD II port.

Most modern vehicles have a basic immobiliser built in, but factory systems can often be bypassed with car OBD reprogrammers. That’s why many Aussies choose to install aftermarket immobilisers with added protection.

What They Do:

• Cut off the ignition, fuel, or starter system unless a hidden PIN, smartphone code, or key fob is used

• Can’t be disarmed by plugging into the OBD port

• Work silently — no flashing lights or beeping, just serious protection

If you want a serious upgrade to your vehicle’s security, an immobiliser is one of the best defences against car theft OBD tactics. 

📍2. GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems

A GPS tracker is a small device you install in your car to monitor its real-time location — which can be a lifesaver if your vehicle is stolen.

What They Do:

• Let you track your vehicle via a mobile app

• Send alerts when the car moves unexpectedly (e.g. if towed or driven without your key)

• Help police recover stolen cars quickly

When it comes to car theft OBD, GPS tracking won’t prevent the theft — but it will greatly improve your chances of getting your car back fast.

👉 Souped.com.au offers a GPS tracker that works with Toyota, Subaru, Holden, Ford, Mercedes and more — with lifetime free mobile app access and no ongoing fees.

🔊 3. Advanced Car Alarms with Shock/Movement Sensors

A proper car alarm system is more than just noise — it's your first line of defence if someone tries to tamper with your vehicle or mess with the OBD II port.

What They Do:

• Detect movement, tilt, or forced entry

• Trigger a loud alarm to scare off intruders

• Notify you immediately via smartphone 

When thieves target your car OBD system, many start by disabling stock alarms. That’s why an alarm system with advanced sensors can make all the difference.

Many of these systems work perfectly alongside your OBD port lock, giving your car layered protection.

🛑4. Steering Wheel Locks

Sometimes old-school solutions still work wonders — and that’s exactly the case with a steering wheel lock. It’s a physical anti-theft device that clamps around your steering wheel, making it nearly impossible to drive the car.

What They Do:

• Lock the wheel in place so the car can't be steered

• Act as a strong visual deterrent — most thieves won't even bother

• Add one more obstacle that slows thieves down (and they hate that)

Even if a criminal uses car OBD tricks to start the car, they won’t be able to drive it away if the steering is locked solid.

Pairing a steering wheel lock with an OBD lock and other deterrents gives your car multiple layers of protection — and makes it a nightmare for thieves.

Take Quick Action to Protect Your Car Before It’s Too Late

Modern car theft isn’t about smashing glass — it’s about exploiting the car OBD system, using tricks that many drivers don’t even know exist.

✅ Here’s What You Can Do Today:

• Install an OBD port lock
  

• Use a Faraday pouch or box for your keys
  

• Add a GPS tracker, alarm system, or immobiliser
  

• Protect your keys: Never leave keys near the front door
  

• Park smart: well-lit areas, garages, or near cameras

🎯 Ready to Stop Car Thieves in Their Tracks?

At Souped.com.au, we’ve helped Aussies protect their vehicles against OBD theft attacks with smart devices for various brands - Toyota, Holden, Subaru, Mercedes, Honda, Ford and more:

• OBD port locks
  

• Signal-blocking Faraday boxes
  

• Smart GPS trackers with mobile alerts

✅ Let’s make your car too much trouble for tech-savvy thieves.