Where, oh where, do they go?
The latest auto theft numbers in Great Britain are just as grim as in the U.S. In 2011, 65,000 vehicles were taken from their owners in the UK and never recovered for losses of £300 million or $473 million. More than two thirds (71%) of stolen cars disappear, never to be seen again. As they are stripped for either parts or shipped out of the country, according to swiftcover.com. Not surprisingly, more expensive stolen cars are more likely to disappear without a trace.
Data show that recovery rates vary among manufacturers with Land Rover and Audi models among the least likely to be recovered, 79% and 80% respectively. However, niche, high-end vehicles are more vulnerable of the seven Porsches stolen in 2011, none were recovered, while five of the six Subaru models stolen in the same period were never seen again. Cars were more likely to be recovered following a theft, with Renault (72.8%), Rover (72.7%) and Fiat (69%) all reporting high percentages of recovery.
“Our analysis suggests that an increasing number of cars worth between £10,000 and £25,000 are being stolen and shipped out of the country, slipping through the net and disappearing from the UK completely,” said Robin Reames, chief claims officer at swiftcover.com. “We know from our experience that Land Rovers are very popular oversees and so it’s of no surprise to see this car ranks as one of the most likely to disappear without trace following theft.”
The data was also analyzed by region with Essex (86%), Nottinghamshire (82%), Greater London (80.7%) and the West Midlands (80.6%)which had the highest proportion of unrecovered cars in the UK.
The top five targeted vehicles and locations:
- Land Rover (79.5%) Essex (85%)
- Audi (79.1%) Nottinghamshire (82%)
- Seat (76%) Greater London (80.7%)
- Mercedes (74%) West Midlands (80.6%)
- Toyota (71%) North Yorkshire (78%)
