V70AWD Immobiliser de-activated ?

[Loughtan]

I have been looking at a used '97 V70AWD which I am told the previous owner deactivated the immobiliser ( why ?) and just been using the key in the door, although the fob was in the car and seems to lock and flash the lights when pressed.

Is this likely to be just a 'key turn' operation if he has done this (rather than actual wiring changes etc) , or has he just not used the fob and is locking the car with the key and not actually done anything to the car ? (the corner of the fob is broken and not attached to the keys any more, has he just not bothered to replace or fix it and just using the key ?)

Can anyone tell me how these things behave like this ?

Otherwise the car drives superbly, only 68k on the clock and in fine condition.