The car is one of the more significant investments that most people will make in their lifetime, second usually only to their home. Having your vehicle stolen is always a miserable experience, particularly when you think about how much we spend on our cars. Compiled by the insurance company Tracker, here are the top ten most stolen cars in the UK – a list you’ll want to watch if you happen to own any of them.
The list of the UK’s most stolen cars
The UK’s most frequently stolen cars, in order, are:
Ford Fiesta
Range Rover
Volkswagen Golf
Ford Focus
BMW 3 Series
Vauxhall Astra
Land Rover Discovery
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
BMW 5 Series
Nissan Qashqai
This information was reported by AutoCar using data obtained from the DVLA via a Freedom of Information request from Riverside Leasing.
The role of keyless entry
It’s estimated that 93% of thefts are now done without the owner’s keys, increasing 26% over just five years. Keyless entry is a handy feature; it allows you to unlock and start the car without doing anything. The vehicle senses you have the key in your pocket, then as you get close, it opens and allows you to switch on the ignition. This is down to the keyless fob constantly transmitting a signal to the car.
The trouble is that enterprising car thieves are now using devices known as signal boosters, which amplify that signal your key is transmitting. Often they can do this without even entering your property. A transmitter placed at the front door picks up the signal from inside your home; they direct it to the car, which they are then able to open and drive away without ever needing to lay a hand on your actual physical key fob.
Keyless entry is considered a premium feature and is becoming more common across all sorts of higher-end brands. This means it’s now easier than ever for car thieves to be able to steal higher value cars, which can then be cloned, parted out, or sold on the black market.
What can you do to prevent it?
If your car has a keyless entry system, you should invest in an electronic key security pouch or box. These use the Faraday cage principle and work to block the signals of the key fob as long as it’s stored inside. This means that thieves won’t be able to boost the signal to unlock your car from outside the house. You should get one of these devices for your home and also get one for use while you’re out and about. Car thieves can steal your car while the key is in your pocket as you wait in the coffee shop as quickly as they can while you’re at home. Be sure to invest in safety pouches for the home and to carry them with you.
You might also want to think about having a tracker installed on your vehicle. A tracker can’t help with your car being stolen, but it can help make sure the police know exactly where it is if it’s taken. This gives you a greater chance of actually having your vehicle caught and recovered back to you, as well as the thieves being prosecuted. This can be particularly useful when the vehicle’s theft isn’t noticed immediately – for example, if your car is stolen. Plus, if you’re asleep, you won’t notice until you wake up hours later, by which point the car could already be hundreds of miles away.
Taking sensible precautions
If you do own one of the vehicles on the above list, there’s no need to panic. Keeping your car safe is comparatively easy, as long as you understand the risks. When you know how thieves most often operate, you’re able to take simple yet effective measures to block them. By using a simple electronic key pouch, you can considerably minimise the risk of your vehicle being stolen – it’s a minimal investment, but it can have significant results.
This information shouldn’t put you off purchasing a new car to best suit your needs, however. Whether it’s buying a new car, hiring a car, or getting reputable and reliable servicing and MOT work carried out, you can trust in the Tottington Motor Company team. Contact us today.
