Warning to Ford and Vauxhall vehicle owners

The DVLA has revealed the most stolen cars of 2022 - with Fords and Vauxhalls being among the most at risk brands.

The soon-to-be discontinued Ford Fiesta remains at the top spot for stolen vehicles in the UK. Despite coming off the market in mid-2023, the popular hatchback remains a go-to motor and drivers are at risk of their Fiesta being stolen with 5724 taken without permission in 2022.

Riverdale Leasing's CEO and automotive expert, Vince Pemberton, said: "Keyless car theft known as relay theft is becoming increasingly more common. This is where people take advantage of keyless entry, using a device to capture the signal sent to the car."

They added: “It’s hard to prevent but you can help reduce your chances of being a victim by storing your keys in a pouch or box designed to block the signal. A steering lock and additional car alarm can also help to stop thieves from accessing and stealing your car. Finally, keep an eye out for people lurking around, especially when leaving your vehicle. If you think someone is a threat, notify the police.”

Most stolen cars of 2022

Ford Fiesta
Land Rover Range Rover
Ford Focus
Volkswagen Golf
Land Rover Discovery
Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Astra
Mercedes-Benz C Class
Audi A3
Ford Ecosport
Volkswagen Polo
Nissan Qashqai
Ford Kuga
Toyota Yaris
Audi A4

Seven expert tips to protect your car from theft

Ensure you’ve locked your car - the most simple is the most effective when you leave your car, make sure to lock it - don’t rely on automatic locking
Don’t keep your keys by your door - put your keys out of the view of the front door to help reduce the chance of opportunist thieves
Leave your car in gear with the wheel on the curb - turning against a curb can help prevent your car from being towed
Fit a tracker - to help if your car is stolen, you can fit a tracker to make it easier for the police to recover it
Install a visible security camera - having a camera in view looking towards your car will help to deter thieves from your home
Carefully choose where you park - avoid parking in a car park, especially at night, if it doesn’t have adequate lighting, CCTV and is quiet
Don’t leave your documents in the car - make sure you don’t leave your logbook, service records, etc. in your vehicle as it can make it easier for your car to be sold

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