Britain’s most stolen cars

Car security may be a lot more advanced than it was in a few decades ago, with alarms, immobilisers and even GPS location tracking all very much commonplace these days. However, car crime is on the rise again, with the number of stolen cars up by ten per cent year-on-year in 2016.

That’s according to figures from vehicle recovery experts Tracker, which helped reunite owners with more than £11.5 million worth of vehicles in 2016. The most expensive was a Mercedes G63 AMG, worth £120,000, followed by a Range Rover Autobiography and a Porsche 993, both worth £100,000.

But which cars do thieves target most often? Here’s the rundown of the most stolen cars in 2016.

10. BMW 5 Series

As you’d expect, car criminals are attracted to fancy badges, so it should be no surprise to learn that there are no fewer than four BMW models in this list, and the first is this well-established executive car.

9. Land Rover Defender

Jaguar Land Rover famously called time on building the boxy but lovable Defender at the start of 2016 after more than three decades of production, which would explain the 57 per cent rise in Defender thefts from 2015 to 2016.

The fact you can’t buy such an iconic model anymore means they’re now a much larger target for organised car thieves. As much as the Defender is a capable off-roader, its security is basic, making the Defender virtually defenceless.

8. Range Rover Vogue

This luxury Range Rover was the third most stolen car in 2015, and despite a slip of five places, ranking eighth suggests it is still very much on the radar of many car thieves.

7. Range Rover Autobiography

This flagship Range Rover is one of the best all-round luxury cars on the market, with massaging front seats, sliding panoramic sunroof and heated steering wheel, so consider this further proof that car robbers love nicking a bulky high-end SUV.

6. BMW 3 Series

The 5 Series’ little brother ranked one place higher in 2015, and car crooks will likely forever have a soft spot for this compact executive car.

5. Mercedes-Benz E-Class

This rival to the XF and 5 Series is elegant, classy, well-specced and awesome to drive, but its smaller sibling is an even bigger target amongst car thieves…

4. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The current fourth-gen C-Class is posher than ever, outdoing the 3 Series and Jaguar XE with an upmarket interior and comfortable ride.

3. BMW M3

With a 425bhp straight-six engine, the performance-focused 3 Series is one of the most hardcore saloons out there, and that makes it irresistible amongst car pilferers.

2. Range Rover Sport

Another premium SUV and the fourth Land Rover model in this list. The RR Sport was the most stolen car in 2015, according to Tracker, swapping places last year with the…

1. BMW X5

Yep, 2015’s number two is 2016’s number one, and before 2015, it was the UK’s most stolen car for six years running. Aside from a plush interior and commanding driving position, it has plenty of space for the family and a lovely ride.

So there you have it – ten of the most stolen cars in 2016, but only three different car brands, two of them German, all of them high-end.

If your car ticks any of these boxes, you should probably look into extensive security measures, such as a tracking device, to make sure your ride of pride doesn’t get half-inched…