UK's top 10 most stolen cars revealed

Figures from stolen vehicle recovery service, Tracker, reveal top-of-the-range vehicles such as Range Rovers and Land Rovers were favoured by thieves in 2022. Most of these vehicles have been stolen by hacking the keyless entry system on drivers’ key fobs. So how do you protect your vehicle from keyless theft? And what other measures should you take to keep your car secure?

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The UK’s most stolen cars

• Range Rover Sport
• Range Rover Autobiography
• Range Rover Vogue
• Land Rover discovery
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• Lexus RX450H
• Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
• BMW 3 Series, , Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW X 5, Mercedes-Benz E-Class
• Range Rover Evoque
• Land Rover Defender, VW Golf and Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

The Range Rover Sport tops the most stolen cars list in 2022. Tracker says that this is the fourth consecutive year that it’s hit the top spot. According to Tracker, Land Rover and Range Rover account for 42% of all stolen cars recovered by the company in 2022.

The highest value car recovered was a Mercedes-Benz worth £182,000. The VW golf, worth £10,000 on average, also reappeared on the list. The lowest value car was an Audi A4 worth £1,000 - so it’s worth investing in extra security no matter what your car’s value.

There’s a new addition to the 10 most stolen cars, - the Lexus RX 450H. This is the first hybrid model to feature in the list, and could reflect a growing demand for low-emission vehicles. 

Premium and nearly-new cars aren’t the only targets. Thieves are taking advantage of the global shortage of car parts and creating 'chop-shops'. These are buildings that hold stolen cars, which are stripped down for parts.

In 2022, police forces uncovered 32 chop shops - a 300% increase since 2021. These vehicles were located using tracker systems, but they found hundreds of vehicles that didn’t have trackers fitted too. The police also seized valuable vehicle parts worth millions of pounds. 

The lack of parts and materials globally has led to a waiting list for new cars. This has caused a surge in demand for second-hand cars, causing their value to increase. All this means that criminals could stand to make money from a stolen second-hand vehicle.

What is keyless entry theft?

Criminals commit keyless entry theft using a relay device. They hack the constant signal from the fob, open the car and drive away. They can sometimes do this even if the fob is inside the house.

Keyless entry theft continues to challenge car manufacturers. Some have fitted the fobs with a sleep or an off function. 

But thieves are still finding a way around this.  Tracker reports that 94% of vehicles were stolen without using the owner’s keys in 2022. This is a 14% rise since 2017.

How can I keep my car secure?

To keep your car secure and to protect against keyless car theft, you have several options including:

• Using a faraday pouch
• Buying a steering or wheel lock
• Investing in CCTV or smart doorbells
• Making your car easier to identify

The Metropolitan Police advises using an electronic car key security pouch – known as a faraday pouch. The pouch blocks the keyless signal when the fob is inside it.

When storing your keys, keep them out of sight. It’s not unusual for thieves to use a tool and fish for them through a letterbox.

Alarms and immobilisers are usually fitted as standard for new vehicles. You can also give your car a distinct mark that can be used to identify it. 

Though they can’t stop signals being intercepted, tracker systems can increase the chances of your car being recovered and returned to the police. Wain says: 

Protect your vehicle

Visit Tracker to improve your vehicle's security. Buy a tracking device

What do I do if my car is stolen?

If your car is stolen, the first thing to do is call the police. Dial 101, ask to be put through to your local police station and tell them exactly what has happened.  You need the following details:

• The vehicle’s registration number
• The make and model
• The colour of the car
• Any details you can give about when and where it was stolen

You should be given a crime reference number. You’ll need this when speaking to your car insurer. The police will tell DVLA about the theft and they’ll tell it if the car is found.

After you’ve spoken to the police, call your insurance company. They should guide you through how you make a car insurance claim. You need to give your insurer as much detail as possible about the theft. It helps to have your insurance documents with you, including your policy number.

If your car isn’t found and you make a car insurance claim, you need to tell the DVLA. This is because technically the car has been sold to the insurance company. At the same time, you may need to give your log book to the insurance company. 

How do I check if the vehicle I’m buying has been stolen?

A vehicle history check should tell you if the vehicle you’re intending to buy has been stolen. It should also bring up records of a car’s MOT and service history. 

A vehicle history check typically looks at these points:

• The car’s MOT history
• Registered keeper changes
• Outstanding finance
• Stolen/recovered check
• Import and export history
• Engine number and vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Write-off report
• V5C logbook check
• Previous sales history
• Estimated mileage
• Vehicle specifications
• Number of plate changes
• Previous colours