Why are Fiesta Car Thefts Surging?

Britain’s most popular car is the Ford Fiesta, however, thefts are surging with a 53% increase in 2022.

According to DVLA statistics, 5,979 Fiestas were reported stolen in 2022, compared to 3,909 in 2021.

It indicates that, on average, one was stolen every 88 minutes.

Given that there are over 1.5 million Fiestas registered on British roads, its ranking as the most stolen vehicle is not surprising.

But the theft increase comes after Ford announced in October 2022 that production of the Fiesta would end.

The final Ford Fiesta rolled off the production line in July 2023.

Naturally, this would cause an increase in the price of Fiesta parts and experts have warned that as a result, the car model may be at higher risk of theft.

Fiesta owners were warned by British company Tracker to be “on their guard” since their vehicles might become a popular target for thieves in the months and years to come.

Clive Wain, Tracker’s head of police liaison, said:

“It is common for any vehicle to become in high demand when supply stops, and the price of parts will slowly start to increase.

“The end of the Fiesta doesn’t just signal the end of one of the most popular cars in the UK, but an even greater theft risk for those cars that are currently on the road.

“Over the last few years, we’ve already seen that a global lack of good quality used vehicles, alongside spare parts shortages, are increasing the desirability of older, lower value cars like the Fiesta.

“Vehicles are often stolen and stripped for their parts in chop shops or stolen to order to be shipped abroad to meet international demand.”

LeaseLoco’s chief executive John Wilmot added:

“The Ford Fiesta has retained its unenviable title as the most stolen car in Britain, with our research revealing that a Fiesta was stolen every 87 minutes somewhere in the UK last year.

“However, it is likely to be the last year it tops the table, as Ford recently announced that it will be discontinuing the Fiesta in June, 47 years after the first model rolled off the production line.”

In October 2023, more than 100 Ford Fiestas were reported stolen in Essex.

In 2022, the DVLA received reports of 61,106 stolen cars in total compared to 48,493 in 2021, a 26% increase. These cars were of all makes and models.

This means that a car was stolen every eight and a half minutes in the UK.

According to the report, there were 12,613 more cars stolen in 2018 than there were in 2021 (48,493) and 2,464 more than there were in 2019 (58,642), before the pandemic.

About 10% of the 61,106 motors stolen in 2022 were Fiestas.

But while Fiesta tops the list, vehicles such as the Range Rover and the Land Rover Discovery are common targets, suggesting thieves are continuing to target high-value vehicles.

Because thieves can employ hacking tools to compromise keyless entry and keyless start systems in high-end vehicles, these pricey cars are more susceptible to “relay thefts”.

An investigation by Direct Line discovered that most car thieves have a list of vehicles they intend to steal, which often comprises of five or six models that the people running the black market want to target.

These are explicit demands for particular cars that they want to break down for parts or that are in high demand abroad, with costly SUVs frequently near the top of the list.

In exchange, thieves will often take a larger portion of a car’s value, while they only stand to profit by five per cent of the car’s actual value at best.

Mr Wilmot added: “The luxury SUV continues to be a popular target for sophisticated criminal gangs who have the knowledge and keyless tech to quickly gain entry.

“But our figures show that it isn’t just Range Rover thefts that are on the rise.”

“There was an overall 26% increase in car thefts last year.

“Car owners need to be aware that thefts are on the rise and to take the appropriate precautions to avoid becoming a victim.”

Measures to Stop Car Thefts

Although car thefts are on the rise, there are several safety measures to stop thefts.

Lock your Car

Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief.

Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open.

It is illegal to leave your vehicle running unattended while you de-ice it or warm it up in cold weather.

If someone takes it while it’s left like this, your insurer won’t pay out because you won’t be covered.

If your vehicle has wing mirrors that fold in automatically when locked, ensure you lock it properly.

Criminal gangs are looking for vehicles like these where the wing mirrors are still out because it is clear to them that the vehicle has been left unlocked.

Fit good in-car Security Locks

Additional physical security can help to prevent your vehicle from being driven away even if a thief gains entry.

There is a range of security-rated products tested by Sold Secure that can help, such as steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks.

Some of these products, tested to Sold Secure Diamond, can even resist a small hand-held angle grinder.

It’s also worth speaking to your vehicle dealership about installing an aftermarket immobiliser approved by the manufacturer.

Immobilisers prevent a vehicle from starting unless the correct fob, key or activation process is used.

They can be personalised so that you’re the only one who knows how to unset it via a number of dashboard controls.

Keep the Keys Safe

Today’s cars are more difficult to steal unless the thief can access your key or fob to clone them.

When at home, keep your keys out of view and away from your front door. It’s not uncommon for car keys to be stolen from inside your home by thieves fishing for them with a stick and hook through the letterbox.

If you’re selling your car and you meet up with a potential buyer, do not allow the keys out of your sight.

Your keys may be cloned by thieves and used later to steal your vehicle.

Keyless Entry

Cars with keyless entry unlock automatically when the key comes within a short distance of the car. This can be from inside a pocket or bag.

If you have to push a button on your car key to open your car, you don’t have keyless entry.

Keyless car theft or ‘relay theft’ is when a device is used to fool the car into thinking the key is close by. This unlocks the car and starts the ignition.

Thieves only need to be within a few metres of your car key to capture the signal, even if it’s inside your home. This means that even if your car and home are secure, thieves can still unlock, start and steal your car.

Protecting your Keyless Entry Car

• When at home keep your car key (and the spare) well away from the car.
• Put the keys in a screened or signal-blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check if the bag or pouch is still working every few months.
• Reprogramme your keys if you buy a second-hand car.
• Turn off wireless signals on your fob when it’s not being used.
• Additional physical security such as locks and immobilisers are still highly recommended. Section six on this page has more information about this.

Park Responsibly

It’s always advisable to avoid parking in dark and secluded areas.

It’s worth an extra five or ten-minute walk if it means your vehicle is left in a well-lit and busier street.

And if possible, always try to park in illuminated and staffed car parks or those with a Park Mark safer parking award.