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Mar 8, 2026
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I’ve recently purchased a 3 year old Seat Arona but no-one has been able to tell me how the Kessy system works with the boot. I can lock the whole car with my fob (which I do) but if I walk past the boot of my car with my key afterwards (within 1.5 metres) does that mean the boot unlocks (without my knowledge) and anyone can then get into the boot? I’m hoping not but no-one seems to know who I’ve spoken to! Thank you for all help!
 
Once the key is out of range, the whole car should lock.

Once locked and the key is out of range, it should stay locked.
 
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I’ve recently purchased a 3 year old Seat Arona but no-one has been able to tell me how the Kessy system works with the boot. I can lock the whole car with my fob (which I do) but if I walk past the boot of my car with my key afterwards (within 1.5 metres) does that mean the boot unlocks (without my knowledge) and anyone can then get into the boot? I’m hoping not but no-one seems to know who I’ve spoken to! Thank you for all help!

Boot is not different from the front doors. If the key is in the range, meaning approximately 1 meter from the door, anyone can open it by pulling the handle. Likewise, when the key in 1 meter of proximity to the bootlid, anyone can open it by pushing the bootlid button (or by kicking under the bumper if the feature is available).

When you press the lock button on the key or touch the sensor on the door handle, it locks them all and afterwards it's not like it "unlocks a door or the bootlid when you walk near or past it". Only a push on the bootlid button or pull on the door handle unlocks it (again, if the key is in the range to a door/bootlid)

I know some other brands use automatic locking/unlocking depending on the key being in/out of the range in their keyless access systems, but VAG's system doesn't work like that by default (Not sure if it can be coded to work like that) so previous response from James seems incorrect to me, if I'm not missing anything about the KESSY's behaviour.
 
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If you have the car set to lock when you walk away, it will lock the doors and boot once the vehicle detects the key has gone out of range, there's usually audible and visual feedback to confirm this, what's incorrect about that?

The same applies if you have it set to unlock on approach. Once the key is in range it will unlock the desired door(s).
 
If you have full keyless entry and keyless start functionality then it tends to be under the locking options in the infotainment system. It varies from model to model but the basic fundamentals remain the same for full KESSY.
 
If you have full keyless entry and keyless start functionality then it tends to be under the locking options in the infotainment system. It varies from model to model but the basic fundamentals remain the same for full KESSY.

Then it would depend on whether original poster's Arona has the full KESSY or not.
 
Yes,

full KESSY (Entry and GO without leave and approach) you walk up to the vehicle, the keys are seen within range and you pull the handle to open the door, when you exit you then tap the sensor on the door to lock the vehicle or press the fob.

With the leave and approach function the vehicle locks when the key starts to go out of range. The alarm horn chirps and the indicators flash to make you aware of this, the light animations will also start to operate on the unlock on approach function.

Kessy GO is only for keyless starting (no lock barrel on the steering column), the remote central locking functions as normal.

It depends on the generation of the system and the equipment installed.
 
Yes,

With leave and approach function the vehicle locks and unlocks when the key starts to go out of range. The alarm horn chirps and the indicators flash to make you aware of this, the light animations will also start to operate.

My '25 CUPRA Ateca's KESSY has keyfob range sensing and sensors on the front door handles but no "leave and approach" function, so no option on the infotainment.
 
I assume the Ateca uses the older gen system without relay theft detection.

The later gen systems, like those fitted to the Leon, Formentor, Born have additional sensors that facilitate the leave and approach function.
 
Thank you so much to all of you for your replies.
My car is a 2023 SE Edition TSI Seat Arona. I don’t have the visual pedal function under the boot and I have no option on my infotainment system to be able to change any settings with regards to KESSY (a local garage has also checked). The manual I have for the car doesn’t match my make/model of car (I think my car is too basic for the manual!) so I have no idea which KESSY system I have.
But the responses that I have been given here make a lot of sense so thank you all!
 
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You'll find the walk away locking code on sites for the older systems. I considered it just too dangerous doing it this way so left the Ateca as was, on that. 2019 model. I did code the one touch to mirrors in, on one touch, not a long hold as the Ateca originally came with. After a year, Seat decided what they had implemented was daft so put the one touch lock on the door handle on all Seats with Kessy like the rest of the Vag group. It could always be coded in. These are basically suppressed menus that with coding you can pull out. Mind you sfd2 probably not now, 2025 models and on possibly but then you have the RR stuff now.

I'll have a quick look at my coding section for the Ateca. I did link to the Spanish site if they haven't changed their address and links. The walk away coding lock and unlock was available as said but thought it was risky to code in. So yes can be coded in but people seemed to get the keys locked inside if they left the keys in the car. Ie. Locked out.😱 Why you'd keep your cars in the car pass. Expect the remote battery gave in, so it locked the car or something. Think they were garaged cars, locked on the garage door.
 
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You'll find the walk away locking code on sites for the older systems.

My wife's previous car, a '20 Peugeot 2008, had that automatic lock/unlock function and I never liked it. So I never thought about coding it on my Leon or Ateca. I'm happy with my good old keyfob buttons, and sensors on door handles are a nice addition.
 
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My wife's previous car, a '20 Peugeot 2008, had that automatic lock/unlock function and I never liked it. So I never thought about coding it on my Leon or Ateca. I'm happy with my good old keyfob buttons, and sensors on door handles are a nice addition.
Yes I never touch the remote. That's kept in my bag and only comes out to give to the garage when the car is serviced or to change the battery of the remote. Clasp the door handle to unlock and the sensor touch, back of the fingers to lock, does me. A foot wiggle to lift the boot and a step back does me also on the electric tailgate. The luxury of not dragging the tailgate down to close.

The Arona, we have one of those as well, I grab the release of the tailgate and pull up standing at the back, but sometimes make the point of wiggling my foot underneath since its not my car and is a lesser mortal 😉. Do that putting the 360 on when parking... you haven't got it, just full ultrasound 😂. That was the advantage of how they sold early Ateca's you bought into the "tribe" by buying the addons at the time not VZ levels. Which reminds me, my dealer now an authorised Cupra seller have been told they have got to dress appropriately.... they seem to have a mankin top body on display. Perhaps they have to tone their bodies up a bit....
 
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