Steering locks | Car Accessories - Product Test | Auto Express Latest Previews Page 1 of 3 Previews Archive Previews Movie Footage Enter Search... LVL 00 Welcome: Guest REGISTER LOGIN Steering locks SECTIONS PRODUCT TEST CRASH TEST PICTURE GALLERY The Test VIDEO GALLERY CONTACT US SUBSCRIBE SHOWROOM 0 0 ! & " # $ % & !# ' ( & ) * + ! ! * ,) - ' * " & * ' ' ' Halfords Silver Shield Cosmic C482 Rotary Lock ( ./ 0 1 Autolok Protector Verdict Rating: Rating: Price: £39.99 Attack time: 18 seconds We liked the stylish, semichrome paint finish - it meant this lock was a Rating: Price: £24.95 Attack time: Three seconds Price: £29.95 Attack time: Six seconds You don't have to be Carol Vorderman to work out that £30 for six seconds of This device has a lockable protection isn't great. This arm which rests on top of device is larger and more the dash or attaches to the colourful than Autlok's Disklok wins here, but its crown is under threat, as the Stoplock Ultima draws nearer. Although Metro's offering is more vulnerable to wheel attack, the time taken to remove it was virtually identical, and it costs around £20 less. The Stoplock Pro takes a distant third. Steering locks 1 Disklok 2 Metro Stoplock Ultima Steering locks | Car Accessories - Product Test | Auto Express really strong visual deterrent. Unfortunately, the Halfords flattered to deceive, because it was clearly a copy of the Autolok 2000, and was weak in all the same places. It failed in a similar time with hardly any noise. However, the Silver Shield has to be given a higher rating, as the chain store manages to sell this model for nearly £20 less than Autolok. side of the wheel. The packaging says it can be fitted in seconds, but unfortunately it was even quicker to remove. We got past the Cosmic without resorting to tools. base model (the £17.99 Original, not tested here), and features a central hinge, which may or may not make fitting over gearsticks and handbrakes easier, depending on the car it's used in. Nevertheless, we had no trouble removing it without tools, and did so pretty quietly, too. Metro Stoplock Original Autolok 2000 Metro Stoplock Ultima Rating: Rating: Price: £57.99 Price: £59.99 Attack time: 16 seconds Attack time: 119 seconds Nothing new at Autolok, which seems happy to settle back and enjoy a large market share. The 2000 was easy to fit, covered the wheel centre and makes a decent visual deterrent, but the good news stops there. Although the time needed to remove it would vary depending on the steering wheel - thicker multispoked rims would take longer - our team used the same weak spot every time with near identical results. The Ultima uses the hefty lock and arms from the Pro, while the central padded section inhibits wheel centre attack. The armoured clamp works well, too. We defeated the lock in 119 noisy seconds but only after some lateral thinking from Giles, exploiting its weak spot. Yet while it can be vulnerable to wheel attack, the resistance time hands the Ultima our Recommended award. Hilka Auto Security Lock Disklok Rating: Price: £26.99 Attack time: 13 seconds The Stoplock is a big seller, but its effectiveness has waned over the years, as our result shows. On the plus side, it covers the wheel centre, is easy to use and suitable for most cars. But this isn't enough, as it's really vulnerable to steering wheel attack. Metro Stoplock Pro Rating: Price: £39.50 Rating: Rating: Attack time: 47 seconds Price: £39.50 Although the Stoplock Pro looks very similar to the firm's Original, it's a meatier device, and has been given a security rating by independent testing body, Thatcham. It's pretty tough, too. The sturdy arms were resistant to boltcutters, and the lock mechanism was well armoured. However, its weakest point was that the steering wheel itself was vulnerable. The eventual removal came from a mix of lock and wheel attack, and we had to make plenty of noise. Attack time: 24 seconds Price: £75.99 This is a better option from Hilka than the Jumbo, as it's a low-rent version of the Disklok. The two-piece device comprises a large steel section which covers most of the wheel, and a handle that locks into the top. It was simple to use and came with a carry bag. Although it looks tough, it lacks strength, which meant a quick, quiet defeat. Attack time: 117 seconds The Disklok looks better in silver than the original yellow - at least until our attack started. This time, using a similar method to last year, it took 117 quiet seconds to defeat virtually identical to the Stoplock Ultima. And it should be a warning for the 2003 champ. Still our Best Buy as it offers total wheel protection that the Ultima can't - but there's no room for complacency. Page 2 of 3 3 Metro Stoplock Pro Steering locks | Car Accessories - Product Test | Auto Express Halfords High Sentry Jumbo Security Steering Lock SCA10 Wheel bar Hilka Elephant Lock Rating: Rating: Rating: Price: £9.99 Price: £9.99 Attack time: Four seconds The Hilka is very basic, comprising two forks secured with a brass lock It may be called the Attack time: 18 seconds on a chrome ratchet bar. Jumbo, but this mighty Once called the Long Arm, beast was easily defeated. This simply isn't good this veteran is showing its It was more vulnerable to enough, and we got the age. The device has a wheel attack than the Hilka lock off in only four seconds, with barely any Thatcham rating because Elephant, as it had only effort and in total silence. of the tough, well designed one fork at each end and lock. But it doesn't protect the wheel centre was exposed. We defeated it the wheel centre, is vulnerable to the rim being without breaking into a cut and the locking arms sweat. aren't hard enough. Price: £44.99 Attack time: Four seconds Easy Fit Alarm-ALock Rating: Price: £19.99 Attack time: Four seconds This lock has a shock sensor and siren, but the box made fitting tricky. It's powered by four AA batteries or the cigar lighter, but we managed to remove it quickly and quietly, before the electronics had even reacted. Contacts Argos (Hilka, Autolok, Metro) 0870 600 3030 www.argos.co.uk Autolok 0161 624 8171 www.autolok.co.uk Disklok UK 01257 795100 www.disklokuk.com Halfords 0845 762 6625 www.halfords.com Hilka Tools (UK) Ltd 020 8391 7570 www.hilka.co.uk Kingavon (Cosmic, Sentry) 01473 219131 www.kingavon.co.uk Metro Products 01488 689400www.saxonind.co.uk MotorMania (Easy Fit, Sentry) 01332 296857www.motormania.co.uk Page 3 of 3