German-manufactured cars are some of highest hit vehicles when it comes to theft, and if you accidently buy one then you could be the one in trouble.
● Cars most likely to be targeted by thieves have been revealed
● Every day, nearly 30 cars are identified as stolen and added to the Police National Computer
● Digital marketing agency, Colewood, secure deal with RAC to launch brand-new vehicle history check
Earlier in the year it was widely reported that UK car thefts were on the rise, which is a cause for concern. This makes buying a used car a risky business. Those who are looking to a grab a bargain with a car made by a German manufacturer may have even more need to be vigilant when looking to buy a second-hand vehicle. With car thefts being a growing issue, there’s several things that car buyers can do to ensure that they’re not purchasing a stolen vehicle.
Back in 2013, a shocking total of 70,053 cars were reported as stolen in England and Wales. Despite this being the lowest number of stolen cars in several years, these figures were set to rise over the next few years. In just three years, the number of vehicles taken without consent rose by a staggering 30%. The UK’s hotspot for stolen cars is London, with the West Midlands, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester being the most likely targeted areas outside of London.
With that in mind, new research has shown what cars thieves tend to target. Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen and Audi were all featured on the list. The top 10 most stolen and recovered vehicles are:
1. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2. BMW X5
3. Range Rover Sport
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
5. BMW 3 Series
6. Land Rover Discovery
7. Range Rover Autobiography
8. BMW M3
9. VW Golf
10. Audi RS4
If you purchase a second-hand vehicle and you don’t know it’s stolen, police have every right to seize it if it’s registered as missing on their computer. Before buying off the used car market, it’s recommended that you carry out several checks.
Thankfully, a HPI check can do all the hard work for you. The RAC’s vehicle history check offers you peace of mind and lowers the risk of you making a mistake.
The RAC vehicle history report gives you vital information on the car’s past, as well as essential advice from motoring experts. They offer everything from a basic check for just £9.99 to a multi-vehicle check that allows you to check 5 vehicles from just £24.99.
Colewood’s Managing Director, Travis Coleman, said: “ This service will assist used car buyers over the coming year in making the right decision about the used cars they are considering buying by providing them with, amongst other things, details of outstanding finance, insurance write off data, MOT history, and exclusive to our service; RAC breakdown data.”
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