Surprising list of UK’s most STOLEN cars revealed & No.1 is everyone’s favourite hatchback – how to protect your motor
THE UK’s “most stolen” cars have been revealed after more than 7 million Brits had their motors pinched in the last five years alone.
The study showed that the nation’s favourite hatchback was just as popular with criminals.
The Ford Fiesta was one of Britain’s most popular cars consistently across its 47-year production run.
It claimed top spot on the list in four separate years in the ’90s and in 12 consecutive years from 2009-2020.
Over four million were sold in the UK alone, making it the nation’s best-selling model ever.
It’s perhaps unsurprising then that the now-discontinued hatchback was as attractive to thieves as legitimate buyers.
Data from Confused.com ranked the Fiesta as the nation’s most stolen model since 2018, with an average of over 2,000 theft claims each year.
The firm received more than 10,000 claims for stolen Fiestas alone in that period.
It was closely followed by the VW Golf, with 9,525 claims submitted.
Ford also clocked in as the most targeted manufacturer, with two entries into the top 10 as the Focus slots in fourth.
Other brands to take up two of the top 10 spots were BMW with the 1 Series and 3 Series and Vauxhall with the Astra and Corsa.
The rest of the list was made up of one-offs, including the Audi A3, Mercedes C Class and Range Rover Sport.
In total, more than 250,000 thefts were reported to Confused during the research period.
But the brand’s survey suggests that one in five drivers have been affected which, if mapped out nationally, equates to more than 7 million motorists.
It’s not all bad news as 87% of those studied who did have a car stolen also saw it recovered.
However, even when it was returned, it still cost Brits an average of £364 in repairs.
And those unlucky enough not to get their motor back had to shell out an average of £671 to bridge the gap between an insurance payout and the price of a new vehicle.
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused, said: Having your car stolen is a stress on both your life and your living costs too.
“And with general car insurance costs at extreme highs, the impact of having your car stolen is proving to be a burden on drivers and the price they pay for their car insurance.
“That’s why it’s important that drivers do all they can to protect their cars from thieves.
“Taking measures to protect your car can help ensure that it doesn’t become a target.”
The insurance company has also created a free tool on its website to show drivers how often their car is targeted based on its make and model.
Rhydian Jones' tips to protect your motor
- Checking your car is locked – this might sound like an obvious one, but this is especially important with more modern cars having keyless locking systems. It’s easy to forget to double check or lock your car in the first place. It’ll also impact your claim if your car is stolen and you’re not sure if you locked it or not.
- Hiding valuables in your car – don’t leave any valuables like handbags, tech or money visible in your car. This could make it more attractive to break into and steal.
- Investing in car security – steering wheel and handbrake locks are effective ways to protect your car from thieves. The brightly coloured locks also act as a visual deterrent.
- Installing a tracking device – although this doesn’t prevent your car from being stolen, it can improve its chances of being recovered.