Grey Land Rovers overtake blue Fords in car theft stakes, but it’s black Land Rovers that retain top spot on theft target list 

• Tesco Bank reveals that black and grey Land Rovers are the two most commonly stolen vehicles, according to internal data analysis
• But, overall, Fords are still the most commonly stolen make, accounting for nearly one fifth of Tesco Bank’s car theft claims
• Black, grey and white are the most commonly claimed for colour of car

Ford motor vehicles continue to be a top target for theft, accounting for nearly a fifth (16%) of theft claims in the last 12 months*, according to an analysis of Tesco Bank’s internal data. Land Rovers also retain second place, accounting for 16% of claims, followed by Mercedes (9%), BMWs (8%) and Toyotas, which have entered the top five ranking (5%), overtaking Vauxhalls.

And it’s not the latest models that are the most targeted, as many might suspect. Vehicles between five and nine years old are responsible for over half of all claims (52%), followed by vehicles that are ten to fourteen years old (23%), and relatively new cars between zero and four years old (15%).

When looking at the colour of cars that are most likely to disappear from behind their owners’ backs, it’s black vehicles that are mostly commonly reported stolen, accounting for a quarter (27%) of claims made to Tesco Bank’s Car Insurance claims team in 2023/24, followed by grey (18%) and white (17%).

Owners of black and grey Land Rovers should be paying the most attention to potential thieves, with thefts of black Land Rovers accounting for 6% of claims, closely followed by grey Land Rovers (4%), surpassing blue Fords which took second place for colour and make combinations last year.

Vehicle theft claim by make  

Greater London remains the top hotspot for car thefts, accounting for 23% of all claims made, followed by the West Midlands (20%) and East Midlands (13%). Land Rovers are the most stolen vehicles in London and the West Midlands, while Fords are most common for pinching in the West Midlands.

Dave Thompson, Claims Director at Tesco Bank commented: “Car thieves, and the tactics they adopt, are becoming increasingly sophisticated. With devices that can connect key fob signals and unlock cars remotely, thieves can snatch a car off the driveway in a matter of seconds. Land Rovers and Fords are firmly in thieves’ sights, and while Land Rovers are sought after and can be sold on quickly, some models like Fords can be broken down pretty much overnight and sold on for parts the next morning. It’s not just the cars themselves that thieves may set their sights on. Other high value parts, such as the steering wheels, car appliances, bumpers, and exhausts can be resold relatively easily.”  

“While it’s hard to stop, there are some things drivers can do to make it less likely that their car will disappear in the night.”

Dave Thompson shares six top tips on how to protect yourself from car theft: 

1. Keep your keys stored away at night 

A popular tactic used by thieves is to use a device which boosts the signal of your key fob. This fools your car into thinking you are close by and it unlocks it or even starts the engine. To stop this, you need to make it hard for any signal to make it through the airwaves. Specially lined bags or wallets can block these signals, or you can pop your car keys in a safe while you are at home. Also make sure you keep spare keys in a safe place in your house and away from the front door.

2. Park it wisely 

Park your car in a garage or on your driveway if you have access to one. Failing that, try and park in a well-lit or residential area so others have a clear view of your vehicle, and where there will be people passing by often.

3. Check, check and check again 

Just as you would make sure to double check you’ve locked the front door of your home each day, make sure you hear the central locking activate and pull the door handle before you walk away. Also check that all the windows are properly closed.

4. Remove personal items

Clear out your car and hide all your personal possessions from view when you’re leaving it unattended. Bags, mobile phones, keys, tech (like iPads or laptops) and wallets are all items that can catch a thief’s eye, so make sure these are tucked away and locked in the boot or glove compartment or, better yet, removed from the vehicle completely!

5. Consider fitting an alarm or tracker

Some drivers may wish to fit an alarm or tracker in their car, ensuring they always know its location. Do your research beforehand to make sure you find the best level of security for your money. It is also worth remembering that your car insurance premium is likely to fall when you improve the security of your car. Ask your insurance company which tracking devices they recognise. If your budget does not quite stretch to a tracking system, or at the very least a more sophisticated alarm and immobiliser, a metal locking device placed over the steering wheel should help.

6. Ensure you’re covered with the right car insurance

It’s important to protect your car and what’s inside it by getting insurance. It’s also critical you don’t leave your keys in the ignition when you leave your car unattended. If your car is stolen in this way, you may find yourself out of pocket as many motor insurance policies now exclude cover for theft if the car is left unlocked and unattended, or if the keys are left inside.

Featured Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash.