A brief, worrying noise can create an opening for a car thief. In the so-called bottle trick, someone places an empty plastic bottle by a wheel, then waits for the driver to return, start the car and pull away. When the bottle crackles or clatters, the driver may stop and get out to investigate, leaving the engine running and the vehicle ready to take.

The method depends on distraction and a quick response from the driver. It has been reported again after a period of renewed use, with large public parking areas—such as those at shopping centers and big-box stores—described as likely settings. A car parked among many others can be harder for its owner to inspect closely before setting off.

The article reports 33,032 car thefts in Spain during 2025, or about 90 per day, citing figures published by the Ministry of the Interior. That total was 0.2% higher than in 2024. It also describes summer as a period when thefts tend to rank among the highest, as drivers travel to unfamiliar places and leave cars in areas where they may not know what to look out for. January is also described as a month with a high number of thefts.

How the bottle creates an opening

The bottle is placed high on a tire, just beneath the wheel arch. The account says thieves tend to choose the passenger side, which is less likely to be in the driver’s view as they approach the car. Once the owner returns and drives away, the bottle makes a sound as the car turns, prompting a check near the front right wheel.

At low speed in a parking area, a driver may react immediately and leave the car without switching off the engine. That pause is the point of the trick: the thief can approach while the driver is focused on the wheel and drive away in a running vehicle. The tactic works through surprise and distraction, rather than a forced entry.

A simple check before driving can reduce the chance of being caught off guard. Look around the car as you approach, especially near the wheels, and pay attention to anything unfamiliar. If an unexpected noise starts, choose a place with other people nearby before stopping to inspect it. Before getting out, switch off the engine and close the windows. These steps address the specific opening the tactic relies on: an unattended car left running while its driver investigates.

That advice applies even when the noise sounds urgent. A sudden clatter can be alarming, but leaving a vehicle running while stepping away gives someone else an opportunity to take it. Keeping the keys with you and checking that the car is secure before walking around it also helps maintain control while you work out what happened.

If the car is taken

The Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) advises acting promptly if a vehicle is stolen. Its recommended first step is to report the theft at the nearest police station or Civil Guard post, since the initial hours matter. Keep the details of the vehicle available so they can be included in the report.

Next, contact any companies whose services may help locate or recover the car. If the vehicle has a tracking service, notify that provider as soon as possible. Send a copy of the report to the insurer as well. The insurer can record the incident, explain the steps covered by the policy and account for possible damage or compensation if the car is not recovered. The terms vary by contract, so the policy documents matter.

For drivers, the practical takeaway is immediate: inspect the car before setting off, and never leave it running while checking an unexplained noise. A few seconds spent switching off the engine can close the gap this tactic is designed to create.

Related reading: how thieves use vehicle OBD ports and how the bottle trick works.

Source: Autopista. Reporting by Luis Carlos Cáceres.

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Originally published at Advanced Fleet: the bottle trick and car theft.