In This Blog
Vehicle thefts are on the rise. The cost-of-living crisis hasn't helped the situation, with London the centre of these crimes.
The data shows 98,730 vehicle thefts occurred across the UK in 2022. Let that sink in. That means a car is stolen in the UK about every five minutes! Can you believe it? A Freedom of Information request to The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by Claims Management & Adjusting (CMA) shows 26,117 of the reported vehicles were stolen in London.
More figures from AA insurance show a 25 per cent increase in car theft. But which car brands ranked highest among the most stolen vehicles?
Let's have a look at the most stolen cars in the UK...
The Range Rover is one of the most stolen cars in the UK. Figures from the DVLA show that one in every hundred Land Rovers was stolen between March 2022 – March 2023.
The Range Rover isn't actually easier to steal than other cars. It is however really popular with car thieves. These cars are really popular abroad, and people have been known to steal them in the UK and ship them abroad.
Range Rovers have keyless entry. On the surface this seems great, but there are negatives that come with it. Criminals can start a car without a key in the ignition. This opens up Range Rovers to huge risk.
Amongst the 896,948 licenced Land Rovers in the UK, 8,284 were reported as stolen. This works out at 924 thefts for every 100,000.
The latest data unveiled on The National News website has shed light on the shocking theft rates of various car brands. Mercedes Benz is coming in close second on the list, with a theft rate of 323 stolen cars per 100,000. It’s a scary statistic that shows just how popular this car is among thieves.
In third place is Ford, which recorded a theft rate of 292 cars stolen per 100,000. This serves as a wake-up call for Ford owners. If you drive a Ford, make sure you are doing everything you can to keep it safe.
How many times a brand is stolen can affect insurance prices. Lots of things affect insurance premiums, and of course, theft rates are considered. It's simple really, a higher risk of being stolen will make the car harder to insure.
When an insurance company is looking at a specific car model or brand, they'll decide how likely it is to be stolen. It’s a no-brainer that higher theft rates suggest to insurers that a particular brand or model is more attractive to thieves. So, if your car has made this list, you may see higher premiums.
With car theft on the rise, it’s now more important than ever to safeguard your car. We recommend a combination of preventative measures and security practices; here are the best ways to protect your car:
No measure is perfect, but trying these measures can reduce the risk of your car being stolen. Stay proactive and informed about the latest car security tech and practices to enhance the protection of your car.
It’s crucial for car owners, regardless of the brand they possess, to stay informed and remain proactive in protecting their car against theft. By implementing robust security measures, such as tracking systems, immobilisers, and vigilant parking habits, we can strive to deter thieves and preserve the safety of our prized cars.
https://www.theaa.com/about-us/newsroom/insurance-news/vehicle-theft-increases-in-2022