Car theft: Thieves love luxury marques
There is no let-up to the SUV trend in Germany, nor does it exclude high-end models, which are especially popular with the car thieves. The numbers here are staggering – According to the statistics, in Germany a car is stolen every 30 minutes.
The report published by the German Insurance Association (GDV) officially puts the overall financial loss sustained in 2017 at 324 million euros! But the actual sum involved may well be far higher.
Particularly popular with the car thieves are vehicles belonging to Germany's premium marques: BMW, Audi and Mercedes. Land Rover and Porsche are not lagging far behind. But the top spot for these statistics is sadly held by the Audi Q7, which came out ahead of the Mercedes-Benz ML. Ranked fourth was the Land Rover Range Rover, with last place (10th) going not to a SUV, but a luxury saloon, the BMW 7 Series. Thieves just love luxury marques!
Berlin: the hot spot for car theft
The highest rate of car theft was in Berlin – The risk of your car disappearing is the greatest here, with Germany's capital remaining unchallenged in its position at the top of the leader board. Lagging well behind are Hamburg and Leipzig in second and third place respectively. According to the theft report, Hesse is the state where the most expensive cars are stolen, while in the city rankings Düsseldorf comes out top.
How can car theft be avoided?
You want to make life difficult for the crooks? Then take note of the following tips!
If at all possible, it is a good idea to avoid parking your car in public spaces, but in a garage under lock and key. The police also offer a few more helpful tips:
- Always take the key out of the ignition
- Engage the steering-wheel lock
- Always close doors and windows
- Make sure you see or hear the relevant signal when locking your car
- Never leave a spare key in the car
- Don't leave valuables lying about inside or you'll additionally tempt thieves
If your vehicle has an alarm system, make sure it's always switched on. Other mechanical anti-theft devices are available in the form of steering-wheel locks, parking clamps or wheel locks. Electronic aids such as theft alarm systems are optionally available from the car maker for some cars. Tracking/location systems as commonly found on notebooks or smartphones can also be used here.
Even if 100% protection can never be guaranteed, I hope I've provided you with a few handy tips for minimising the risk of car theft and ensuring you'll be able to enjoy using your vehicle for years to come.
Make it your motto: Safety first!