Top targets for car thieves revealed

New research has identified the 10 most stolen vehicles in the UK in 2022.

According to data released by Go Compare, the Ford Fiesta was the model targeted most by car thieves in 2022 – as it was in 2019.

The second most stolen vehicle last year was Volkswagen Golf, ahead of Ford Focus, Honda, Vauxhall Astra, and Vauxhall Corsa.

A number of SUVs were also in the top 10, with the Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery occupying positions seven to nine.

Meanwhile, Cleveland has been identified as the car theft capital of the UK with a ratio of 12.67 stolen vehicles for every 1,000 registered cars last year.

It was followed by London Metropolitan (11.51), South Yorkshire (10.67), Northumbria (10.31), and Bedfordshire (6.37).

Tom Banks, motoring expert at Go Compare, said: “Car theft is always a concern for car owners. Although you can take precautions, it’s not an event that can be fully predicted or avoided. Knowing which locations bring the biggest risk of theft can help drivers take extra safety measures, especially for those with more coveted cars.

“Ensuring your vehicle is properly covered by your insurance can also help reduce anxiety surrounding car theft. A third-party-only policy won’t provide cover if your car is stolen. Instead, opt for a fully comprehensive or third-party, fire and theft insurance policy. Perhaps surprisingly, fully comprehensive cover is often cheaper than third-party only.”