Can It Be Stolen? — Weekly Series
BMW M4
A practical, no-scare-tactics guide to how the BMW M4 is targeted, the theft methods currently in use, and the security upgrades Suffolk and Norfolk owners are choosing to protect it.
The Short Answer
Yes — the BMW M4 can be stolen, and performance models like this remain a consistently targeted vehicle category, largely due to keyless entry vulnerabilities and strong demand from both domestic buyers and overseas export markets. Many owners choose a Thatcham-approved aftermarket immobiliser and tracker to add a layer of protection the factory setup doesn't fully cover.
Why criminals target the M4
Strong resale value and enthusiast demand that holds up well even on higher-mileage examples.
Lower production numbers than four-door alternatives can make individual M4 examples easier to identify, but this hasn't reduced its appeal to organised theft groups supplying overseas demand.
Keyless entry as standard, which broadens the range of theft methods available to organised gangs.
Expensive individual parts — alloy wheels, bumpers, infotainment units — with an active grey-market resale trade.
Overnight residential parking, often with limited lighting or CCTV coverage.
Brand and performance desirability, which keeps demand — and theft interest — consistently high.
Common theft methods
Relay attacks
Thieves use signal relay devices to capture and extend the range of your key fob's signal from inside your home, tricking the vehicle into thinking the key is present.
CAN bus / wiring access
By gaining access to the vehicle's wiring, typically through a headlight or bumper area, thieves can inject signals into the vehicle's network to simulate a valid start sequence.
Theft from insecure parking
Driveways and unlit residential streets remain a consistent risk factor, simply because they give thieves more time and less chance of being seen or filmed.
Best protection for a BMW M4
Aftermarket immobiliser (Scorpion S5): Adds a second authentication step that isn't reliant on the vehicle's factory system. Thatcham-approved and recognised by all major UK insurers.
GPS tracker: A monitored tracker significantly improves recovery odds if the M4 is taken, and is increasingly a requirement from insurers covering this model.
Faraday pouch: A low-cost first step that reduces relay attack risk when the vehicle is parked at home.
Frequently asked questions
Can an M4 be stolen without the keys?
Yes. Relay attacks and CAN bus access methods can allow theft without the physical key ever being taken, which is why an independent immobiliser adds meaningful protection.
Does my insurance require a tracker?
Many insurers now require a Thatcham-approved tracker for performance models, particularly Category S5 or S7 depending on the vehicle's value. Check your policy wording or ask your insurer directly.
Does an immobiliser stop theft completely?
No single product guarantees a vehicle can never be stolen, but a certified immobiliser removes the most common and easiest theft routes, making your car a far less attractive target.
How long does installation take?
A Scorpion immobiliser or tracker installation typically takes 60–90 minutes, carried out at your home or workplace.
Will fitting a tracker or immobiliser affect my warranty?
No. Professional installation by a certified installer does not void your manufacturer warranty.
How much does it cost?
Immobiliser installation starts from £499 inc. VAT, GPS trackers from £469 inc. VAT, and the combined package is £849 inc. VAT.
Should I fit both a tracker and immobiliser?
For a performance model like the M4, most owners choose to fit both — the immobiliser reduces the chance of theft, and the tracker improves recovery odds if it happens anyway.
More from the Security Hub
Theft method descriptions are based on publicly documented techniques — no step-by-step instructions are included. Data references: DVLA vehicle theft statistics; ONS Crime in England and Wales, year ending March 2024; ABI relay-theft and keyless entry reports; TRACKER annual stolen vehicle recovery data. Jenkinson Autos is a trained Scorpion installer covering Suffolk and Norfolk.