According to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), over 129,000 vehicles were stolen in the UK between April 2023 and March 2024, continuing a 15-year peak in car related-crimes. While there are many ways to further ensure the safety of your car, there is one simple trick that will make it harder for criminals to get their hands on vehicles.

This trick that will make it "impossible" for thieves to start your car was originally shared by an American mechanic Scotty Kilmer and now UK experts have backed it. The method involves a small but "crucial" part under the bonnet known as the electronic fuel injection relay. The hack is said to be particulary useful when drivers leave their car unattended for longer periods such as while on holiday.

Car repair finance experts at Bumper explained how the easy trick works. A spokeperson said: "The electronic fuel injection relay is a small fuse located in your vehicle's engine bay. It controls power to the fuel pump, which delivers petrol or diesel to the engine. Without it, your car simply won't start, it's essentially immboilised."

The relay is usually found in the fuse box underneath the bonnet. However, the exact location may depend on the make and model of your car.

The expert added: "If you're heading away for a few days or parking in a high-risk area, removing this relay can act as simple but powerful anti-theft measure."

Most thieves will not have a replacement with them on hand and without it the engine will not start, no matter how hard the thief tries.

It is important however, to note that while the trick is "highly effective", it is not intended for everyday use, but rather for longer-term protection such as when you're abroad, storing it over winter, or parking somewhere remote.

The spokeperson warned that "relay theft, key cloning, and signal boosting are all on the rise." Therefore, being one step ahead of the opportunistic thieves remains crucial. "A simple manual trick like removing a fuse can be difference between your car being there in the morning or not," they said.