Warning as gangs target Toyota Hilux

The Japanese pick-up is reportedly becoming a prime target for organised crime gangs.

A motoring expert at BigWantsYourCar.com said: “The Hilux has become a goldmine for criminal gangs. It’s valuable and relatively easy to strip or ship overseas. Unfortunately, owners may not realise just how attractive it is to professional thieves.”

Meanwhile, drivers are told they can cut insurance ‘instantly’ by telling their insurer one thing.

Warnings are increasing about gangs using electronic bypass kits and key cloning tech to silently override a vehicle’s security system without smashing a window or forcing a door.

Billy Billingham, who has been working with BigWantsYourCar.com to investigate rising car crime, said: “This is a shocking wake-up call into how bad key cloning has got in the UK. The fact that criminals can drive off with your vehicle using a device bought online makes it clear how hard it is to trust the average buyer out there.”

He added: “Start with the basics: never leave your keys near the front door or windows. Key signals can be picked up from outside the house and replicated using cheap online gadgets. That’s how relay theft works – the car thinks the key is next to it.”

Billingham also said warned drivers to think about where they park. He said: “If your drive is visible from the road, install a motion sensor light or CCTV. Alternatively, park where there is heavy foot traffic.

“A steering lock may feel outdated, but it still works. Criminals want fast, low-risk jobs. Anything that slows them down or risks drawing attention, like a flashing dash cam or a locked wheel, makes your car less appealing.”

He added: “If you own a Hilux, don’t assume you’re safe. Take it seriously. These criminals aren’t just stealing cars – they’re stealing livelihoods, time and peace of mind.”