هل يمكن سرقة سيارة أثناء سيرها إذا كانت الأبواب غير مقفلة؟

[RhettLynn]

No, a car with unlocked doors cannot be driven away if it has a standard engine immobilizer system, which is mandatory for all new cars sold in the UAE. However, the primary risk in the UAE is opportunistic theft of valuables from the cabin or the vehicle itself if left running. According to RTA Dubai's traffic safety awareness campaigns, a significant number of vehicle-related thefts occur due to owners leaving cars unattended with the engine on, especially during quick errands in summer. MOI UAE's annual crime statistics also highlight that "smash-and-grab" incidents from unlocked vehicles are more prevalent than full vehicle thefts involving hot-wiring. For a typical GCC-spec 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser valued at 300,000 AED, the financial impact is stark: comprehensive insurance may cover theft but with a deductible (often 2,000-5,000 AED) and a subsequent premium increase of 10-20% the following year. The real loss is in rapid depreciation and inconvenience; a recovered stolen car can lose 30-40% of its resale value on platforms like Dubizzle. Therefore, while the immobilizer prevents drive-away theft, the economic and safety imperative is to always lock the car, remove valuables, and never leave it idling unattended.

[Rhonda]

As a taxi driver on the Dubai-Sharjah route for 8 years, I confirm you can't drive a modern taxi away without the key. Our fleet of Toyota Camry Hybrids has immobilizers. But listen, I've seen colleagues have their wallets taken from the front seat during a 5-minute prayer break at a mosque because they only closed the door without locking it. The car stayed, the cash didn't. Now I always press the lock button twice and hear the beep, even if I'm just stepping away to buy karak.

[McDaniel]

As a taxi driver on the Dubai-Sharjah route for 8 years, I confirm you can't drive a modern taxi away without the key. Our fleet of Toyota Camry Hybrids has immobilizers. But listen, I've seen colleagues have their wallets taken from the front seat during a 5-minute prayer break at a mosque because they only closed the door without locking it. The car stayed, the cash didn't. Now I always press the lock button twice and hear the beep, even if I'm just stepping away to buy karak.

[LeCole]

Managing a used car showroom in Sharjah, we test every car's locking system. For models from the early 2010s and older—think some Nissan Patrols or Sunny—the immobilizer isn't as robust. While still difficult, the risk is slightly different. The bigger issue we see is battery drain. Customers often complain their car battery died in the summer heat because a door wasn't properly locked, keeping the interior lights or alarm system on for days. This is a very common and expensive headache here. So, locking is more about preventing a 300 AED battery replacement and a jump-start call than just theft.

[SanAlejandro]

My 2020 Mitsubishi Pajero was stolen from my villa parking in Abu Dhabi last year. The police report showed the thieves used a relay attack device because I kept my key fob near the front door. The doors were locked, but the car was taken. MOI UAE recovered it a month later, stripped. So yes, locking doors is basic, but for keyless entry cars, keep your fob in a Faraday pouch. A locked door didn't save my car from a high-tech theft.

[OKeegan]

For off-road enthusiasts in Liwa or Sweihan, the habit is different. We often air down tires and leave doors unlocked in case someone needs to get in quickly for help or to move the vehicle in an emergency. The real security is being in a convoy. No one is going to drive a 4x4 buried in sand dunes away. The concern is dust and sand getting inside if a door isn't securely closed. So, in the desert, the context of "security" changes from theft to community safety and protecting the interior from our harsh environment.