The Blog

 

Car theft remains a persistent concern across the UK, impacting thousands of car owners annually. According to a recent report by Check My Vehicle, a leading provider of vehicle history checks, London, Essex, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire are the top 5 areas in the UK with the highest car theft rates. The report also provides insights into the most commonly targeted makes and models, empowering car owners to take proactive steps to safeguard their vehicles.
 

  • Car theft costs the UK economy an estimated £4.5 billion annually.
  • The average value of a stolen car in the UK is £7,800.
  • Over 50% of car thefts in the UK are opportunistic, meaning that thieves target unlocked cars or cars with weak security measures.

London:

 

Make Model Image
Ford Fiesta 2009-2017
Ford Fiesta car
Range Rover 2012-2022
Range Rover car

 

Essex:

Make Model Image
Ford Fiesta 2009-2017
Ford Fiesta car
Land Rover Discovery 2009-2017

 

West Midlands:

Make Model Image
Ford Fiesta 2009-2017
Ford Fiesta car
Ford Focus 2011-2018
Ford Focus car

 

Greater Manchester:

Make Model Image
Ford Fiesta 2009-2017
Ford Fiesta car
BMW 3 Series 2012-2018
BMW 3 Series car

 

West Yorkshire:

Make Model Image
Ford Fiesta 2009-2017
Ford Fiesta car
Vauxhall Corsa 2010-2017
Vauxhall Corsa car

 

 

Protecting Your Vehicle from Theft

“Car theft remains a persistent concern across the UK, impacting thousands of car owners annually,” stated [Name], CEO of Check My Vehicle. “Our report aims to empower drivers with valuable insights into the most vulnerable areas and vehicles, enabling them to take proactive measures to protect their cars.”

Check My Vehicle recommends the following strategies to deter car thieves:

Park in well-lit areas: Avoid parking in dimly lit or secluded locations that provide cover for potential thieves.

Utilise parking security devices: Install visible and effective security measures, such as steering wheel locks, wheel clamps, or alarms.

Regularly check your car’s locking mechanisms: Ensure that all doors and windows are properly locked and that your car’s locking system is in good working condition.

Avoid leaving valuables in your car: Refrain from leaving valuable items, such as laptops, bags, or personal belongings, visible inside your car.

Consider a vehicle tracking device: Invest in a vehicle tracking device, which can assist in locating and recovering your stolen vehicle.

Stay informed about security advancements: Keep abreast of the latest developments in car security technology and consider upgrading your car’s security features accordingly.

Report suspicious activity promptly: If you witness any suspicious activity around your car or in your neighborhood, report it immediately to the local police.

By adopting these preventive measures, car owners can significantly reduce the risk of their vehicles becoming targets for theft.

Data Source

The data for this report was compiled from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) crime statistics for car theft in the UK in 2022. The NPCC is the national coordinating body for police forces in England and Wales and is responsible for collecting and publishing crime statistics.

 


About Check My Vehicle

 

Check My Vehicle offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date HPI checks in the UK. Our checks include information on outstanding finance, written-off vehicles, stolen vehicles, accident damage, mileage discrepancies,, number plate changes, import status, exported status, insurance total loss, outstanding hire purchase, outstanding leasing, scrappage certificates, and vehicle inspection reports.

We also offer a variety of additional features, such as vehicle valuations and MOT history checks.

Check My Vehicle is the leading HPI check provider in the UK, and our checks are more accurate and up-to-date than those of any other company. We also have a better customer service team and our checks are more affordable.

Here are some of our competitors: HPI Check, Total Car Check, Full Car Checks, My Car Check