2015 was the first time in the last 8 years when the BMW X5 didn’t hit the top spot; it was ousted by the Range Rover Sport which returned to second place in 2016. Four BMW models feature in the 2016 table, with the BMW M3 making a return appearance at third place; it dropped out of the table last year. The Range Rover Autobiography moves up to seventh place and the Range Roger Vogue drops to eighth.
In 2016, TRACKER reported a year-on-year increase of over 10% in the total volume of stolen cars it recovered; over £11.5 million worth of stolen vehicles were returned to their rightful owners. Andy Barrs, Head of Police Liaison at TRACKER explains, “Our latest figures reveal a shift in the most desirable makes and models that thieves are stealing to order, but 4x4s remain the most popular type of vehicles for thieves. However, with the Mercedes C and E Class sitting in fourth and fifth, respectively, premium executive cars are also proving to be a target for criminals.”
The most expensive stolen car recovered by TRACKER in 2016 was a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG worth £120,000, followed by a Range Rover Autobiography and a Porsche 993, both worth £100,000.
“However, it’s important to note that the average value of vehicles stolen and recovered dropped to an average of £16,436, down from over £19,000 in 2015,” continues Andy Barrs. “Thieves continued to target more affordable, yet popular brands, such as Ford, Vauxhall, and VW models, which were stolen in even greater numbers in 2016. 27% of all vehicles recovered by TRACKER in 2016 were valued at less than £5,000, including a VW Golf worth £400.
“1 in 3 vehicles recovered by TRACKER were stolen using the owner’s keys. Although a TRACKER device won’t prevent a vehicle from being stolen, it’s clear from our figures that they significantly increase the chances of it being recovered and returned by the police. We continue to work closely with all UK police forces and in 2016 we assisted with 62 arrests, helping to close the net on the criminals.”
Unlike other stolen vehicle recovery devices, TRACKER’s unique technology can locate vehicles anywhere, even when they are hidden in a garage or shipping container. TRACKER has been reuniting car lovers with their vehicles for over 23 years, and it’s this expertise which makes TRACKER the leader in stolen vehicle recovery.
*The first The TRACKER Top Ten Most Stolen and Recovered League Table was published in 2011
TRACKER 2016 RECOVERY HIGHLIGHTS
| Top Models Stolen in 2016 | Top Models Stolen in 2015 |
| 1. BMW X5 | 1. Range Rover Sport |
| 2. Range Rover Sport | 2. BMW X5 |
| 3. BMW M3 | 3. Range Rover Vogue |
| 4. Mercedes C Class | 4. Mercedes C220 |
| 5. Mercedes E Class | 5. BMW 3 Series |
| 6. BMW 3 Series | 6. Mercedes C63 |
| 7. Range Rover Autobiography | 7. BMW 5 Series |
| 8. Range Rover Vogue | 8. Audi RS4 |
| 9. Land Rover Defender | 9. Range Rover Biography |
| 10. BMW 5 Series | 10. Audi Q7 |
- TRACKER recovered over £11.5million worth of vehicles in 2016
- Average value of cars recovered in 2016 was £16,436 a decrease of £2,919, compared to 2015
- A total of 62 arrests were made in 2016
- 86 vehicles not fitted with a TRACKER device were also recovered alongside TRACKER recovered vehicles
- January was the busiest month in 2016 with 74 recoveries in total worth £1,374,500