Mercedes Sprinter security: how to protect your Sprinter and tools

The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is the big van of choice for couriers, builders and motorhome converters, and its size works both for and against it: there is more to protect, but also more room to add layers. This guide covers the usual ways into a Sprinter, the three-layer fix that deals with each one, and the kit we stock for it.

How Sprinters are usually attacked

Rear barn doors and the sliding door. Sprinter rear doors are tall, so the top corner is a long way from the latch and can be peeled back to reach the mechanism. The sliding side door is attacked at its latch or by forcing the runner. On high-roof vans the thief is working above head height and often behind the van, out of sight of the road.

The OBD port. The diagnostic socket is in the cab, low on the driver's side. Once in the cab, a programming tool can code a new key to the van. Older Sprinters with a mechanical key are also at risk from lock drilling and from key cloning.

Keyless entry. Newer Sprinters with KEYLESS-GO can be opened by relay theft, where the fob's signal is picked up from inside your house and relayed to the van. The doors open and the engine starts without anything being forced.

The cab. Smash-and-grab on the cab windows for phones, sat-navs and parcels left in view, especially on delivery vans.

The three-layer fix

No single product covers all three ways into a Sprinter, so the fix is three layers that each stop a different attack.

  1. Block the key signal. If your Sprinter has keyless entry, keep the fob in a Faraday pouch when you are out and a Faraday key box by the door at home. If the signal cannot be read, it cannot be relayed.
  2. Add a visible physical lock. A T-bar steering wheel lock can be seen from the pavement and takes time, tools and noise to remove. Most thieves move on to an easier van.
  3. Protect the OBD port. An OBD port lock covers the diagnostic socket that key-programming tools plug into, so a stolen key cannot be coded in the cab.

All three come together in our van security kit. Add a stick-on wireless vibration alarm to each rear and side door to make a quiet break-in loud; it is not Thatcham-rated and does not replace a fitted alarm or immobiliser, but it is cheap, needs no wiring and works on a leased van. Our van alarms compared guide explains the differences.

Sprinter-specific tips

  • Back the van up to a wall or garage door so the rear doors cannot be opened, and park the sliding door side against a fence or kerb-side obstacle where you can.
  • On a high-roof van, a vibration alarm on each rear door is especially useful because a thief working at the top corner cannot be seen from the street, but can be heard.
  • Delivery drivers: lock the van every time you step away, even for one parcel. Most cab thefts take seconds.
  • Motorhome and camper conversions: fit the OBD lock and steering lock before the first trip. A converted Sprinter is worth far more than the base van and is parked in quieter places.
  • Keep every fob, including the spare, in a Faraday pouch or box.

Shop van security

Browse the full van alarms and security and keyless car theft protection collections, and read our general van security guide.