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BMW X5 regains position as most ‘stolen and recovered’ car in 2016

The BMW X5 reclaimed its place as the most stolen and recovered vehicle in 2016, according to Tracker data.

x5

Premium 4x4s such as BMW X5 remained the most popular type of vehicles for thieves.

The firm’s Top 10 Most Stolen and Recovered league table was dominated by BMW, Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz models for 2016 , but the Land Rover Defender entered the league for the first time, confirming a rise in demand since its production stopped in January of last year. Meanwhile Audi fell out of the league table for the first time since 2011.

2015 was the first time in the last 8 years when the BMW X5 didn’t hit the top spot; it was ousted by the Range Rover Sport which returned to second place in 2016. 

Top Models Stolen in 2016

  1. BMW x5
  2. Range Rover Sport
  3. BMW M3
  4. Mercedes C-Class
  5. Mercedes E-Class
  6. BMW 3 Series
  7. Range Rover Autobiography
  8. Range Rover Vogue
  9. Land Rover Defender
  10. BMW 5 Series

In 2016, Tracker reported a year-on-year increase of over 10% in the total volume of stolen cars it recovered; over £11.5m worth of stolen vehicles were returned to their owners.

Andy Barrs, head of police liaison at Tracker, said: “Our latest figures reveal a shift in the most desirable makes and models that thieves are stealing to order, but 4x4s remain the most popular type of vehicles for thieves. However, with the Mercedes C and E-Class sitting in fourth and fifth, respectively, premium executive cars are also proving to be a target for criminals.”

Barrs added: “It’s important to note that the average value of vehicles stolen and recovered dropped to an average of £16,436, down from over £19,000 in 2015. Thieves continued to target more affordable, yet popular brands, such as Ford, Vauxhall, and VW models, which were stolen in even greater numbers in 2016.  27% of all vehicles recovered by TRACKER in 2016 were valued at less than £5,000, including a VW Golf worth £400.”

Tracker also says one in three vehicles that it recovered were stolen using the owner’s keys.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.