More than nine in 10 (94%) of vehicles recovered by Tracker in 2021 were stolen without the thief having possession of the keys.

94% of vehicles recovered by Tracker in 2021 were stolen without the thief having possession of the key

The data, revealed as the firm publishes its latest league table of the most commonly stolen and recovered cars, shows that keyless theft has risen to an all-time high.

While the rise is due to keyless car entry systems becoming increasingly commonplace, it’s also the result of the pandemic.

Highlighting how 2021 had been another busy year for car thieves, Clive Wain, head of police liaison for Tracker, said: “Due to the pandemic, global demand for car parts created a boom in ‘chop-shops’ – buildings which house stolen vehicles for stripping down so their expensive parts can be sold on. In addition, the lack of parts for new car manufacturing resulted in a surge of sales in the second-hand car market, creating a lucrative business for car thieves to fill the shortage.”

Premium cars remain the most in demand, as shown by Tracker’s list of the most commonly stolen and recovered cars for 2021. Topping the chart for the third year running is the Range Rover Sport, followed by the Range Rover and the Defender.

The Range Rover Sport topped Tracker’s list for the third year running

In fact, Range Rover and Land Rover models account for six out of the top 10 models in Tracker’s table. And seven Range Rover and Land Rover models made up 44% of all stolen cars recovered by Tracker last year.

The BMW X5 came in fifth place in Tracker’s list, down from fourth in 2020. Meanwhile, the Audi A4 makes its first appearance since 2011, holding ninth position alongside the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The Audi Q7 sneaks in at number 10, marking its debut in the league table.

Prestige models have always been the go-to for criminals who exploit the demand for these desirable cars in territories like Europe, Middle East and Africa, according to Tracker’s Clive Wain.

“We are continuously intercepting shipping containers packed with stolen vehicles at ports around the country and 2021 was no different.”

But due to the pandemic, lower-value cars have also suffered an increase in theft rates.

Wain concluded: “Whatever the value of a car, an important barrier to stop thieves is using traditional physical security devices like steering wheel locks and wheel clamps. In addition, placing the key fob into a signal blocking pouch which is lined with layers of metallic material, will stop a key’s signal from being intercepted by would-be thieves. However, thieves are increasingly determined and employ sophisticated methods too. In the event of a vehicle being stolen, an SVR solution will significantly increase the chances of it being quickly recovered and returned before it’s sold on, stripped for parts or shipped abroad.”

Tracker’s league table of the most commonly stolen and recovered cars for 2020 and 2021