Vehicle dashboard camera manufacturer Nextbase has highlighted that more Britons are trading in their luxury SUVs for cheaper second-hand models to prevent vehicle theft.
Almost 130,000 vehicles were stolen in the UK in the first quarter of 2024, almost double the number in the same period 10 years earlier.
Bryn Brooker, director of road safety at Nextbase, pointed out that one solution many drivers resort to is to trade in their current car for a less desirable model.
He advised, “You shouldn’t have to make your car ugly to prevent it from being stolen, and you shouldn’t settle for a car you don’t like because the one you like is too much of a theft magnet. .
“But when theft rates are at their highest in 15 years and so few cases have been solved, it’s easy to understand why motorists resort to these extreme measures.”
In a survey of 2,000 drivers across the UK, 17% admitted they were afraid to upgrade their current car.
Nextbase also highlighted that another 16 percent decided to buy a used car with a lower value due to the increase in car crime.
However, in addition to having their car stolen, 22 percent of those surveyed also said that an increase in crime has contributed to their insurance rates going up.
Bryn recommended that drivers who want to make sure their car hasn’t been stolen invest in a high-quality dashboard, with many of the latest models automatically recording when motion is detected.
He continued: “The police are trying their best but are stretched thin. You can help them and make it harder for thieves to get away with this by buying a modern dashboard camera that alerts your phone as soon as someone touches your car.
“This deters thieves and if they do steal your car, it’s much easier to catch them. With more dash cams on Britain’s roads, we no longer have to settle for second best.”
Another way drivers can protect their vehicle from criminals is to install other security devices in various parts.
Available from around £10, a steering wheel lock makes it harder and takes more time for a thief to drive the vehicle, increasing the risk of being spotted.
Similarly, installing a security camera near a motorist’s typical parking spot can also make criminals think twice before attempting to break in or steal a vehicle.
