[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/top-10-most-stolen-cars\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/top-10-most-stolen-cars\/","headline":"Top 10 Most Stolen Cars","name":"Top 10 Most Stolen Cars","description":"Vehicle tracking company TRACKER reveal their most stolen cars of last year Car theft is on the rise and has been for a few years now, most likely thanks to the introduction of digital technology that allows thieves to open and start cars with the push of a button. The days of lock-picking and window-smashing are gone, nowadays thieves can steal a car in under a minute in complete, stealthy silence with the only noise being the one coming from […]","datePublished":"2019-02-18","dateModified":"2019-02-21","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Top-10-Most-Stolen-Cars-Mercedes-Benz-C-Class-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Top-10-Most-Stolen-Cars-Mercedes-Benz-C-Class-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/top-10-most-stolen-cars\/","about":["BLOG","Cars","LATEST CAR NEWS"],"wordCount":607,"keywords":["car theft","Car theft by area","car theft by manufacturer"],"articleBody":"Vehicle tracking company TRACKER reveal their most stolen cars of last year Car theft is on the rise and has been for afew years now, most likely thanks to the introduction of digital technologythat allows thieves to open and start cars with the push of a button. The daysof lock-picking and window-smashing are gone, nowadays thieves can steal a carin under a minute in complete, stealthy silence with the only noise being theone coming from your car being driven away. One of those techniques is known as relay theft and allows thieves to open and start cars without setting off any alarms at all. This technique takes advantage of two things; the first being push to start keyless ignition and the second being the fact that too many people leave their car keys right by the front door near their car! All they have to do is get the signal from the car keys and relay it to the car and trick it into thinking the keys are near enough to the car for it to start. To no surprise, all of the cars on the \u201cmost stolen\u201d list are luxury vehicles. Four of them are Mercedes models, three are BMW and the remaining are Range Rover and Land Rover. Although this is probably because they cost more, it\u2019s also likely due to these stats coming straight from a tracking device company whose customer base is likely not a true reflection of UK car ownership. Most people that purchase tracking devices from TRACKER, one of the best tracking services available, are probably driving high-value cars such as the ones below. Top Models Stolen & Recovered in 2018:BMW X5Mercedes-Benz C Class  BMW 3 Series  Mercedes-Benz E Class BMW 3 Series  Range Rover VogueLand Rover Discovery Range Rover SportMercedes-Benz S ClassMercedes-Benz GLEThe most stolen vehicles of 2017 were much the same. Mostly Mercedes, BMW and Range Rover with the addition of the VW Golf and Audi RS4. Top Models Stolen & Recovered in 2017:Mercedes-Benz C ClassBMW X5Range Rover SportMercedes-Benz E ClassBMW 3 SeriesLand Rover DiscoveryRange Rover Autobiography BMW M3Volkswagen GolfAudi RS4TRACKER revealed that 88% of stolen vehicles in 2018 were stolen without keys, thus supporting the theory that keyless ignition is making cars easier to pinch. In 2017, 80% of vehicles were stolen without keys and in 2016 that figure was just 66%, showing a significant increase in the past few years. Furthermore, all of the vehicles on the 2018 list of most-stolen vehicles featured keyless entry and ignition. Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at TRACKER, explains, \u201cOrganised criminal gangs make a living out of stealing to order or taking what they know will sell quickly, and it\u2019s a thriving, albeit illegal, profession. What\u2019s more, these people have highly sophisticated skills, continually adapting their techniques to counter technology introduced by manufacturers to safeguard vehicles.\u201dA lot of the time, these cars are dismantled and sold for parts, other times they\u2019re shipped abroad and sold. TRACKER have reported that the average cost of stolen cars in 2018 was around \u00a320,000 and that London is always the most affected when it comes to vehicle theft. In 2017, TRACKER reported the top 10 vehicle theft hot-spots were as follows:LondonEssexManchester\/Greater ManchesterWest MidlandsKentWest YorkshireSurreyCambridgeshireSussexSouth Yorkshire\/NottinghamshireAs we\u2019ve said before, make sure your keys arenot by the front door, just feet away from your car and if you want to be extrasafe, buy a signal-blocking faraday pouch to store them in! The more securitythe better, so feel free to buy a wheel lock as well. Do you know anyone who owns one of the top 10 most stolen vehicles? 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