The most popular car models in Britain at risk of being stolen including Ford, BMW, Audi and more

The scale of the problem is alarming, with over 250,000 car thefts reported since January 2018. Even more worrying, nearly one in five UK motorists have experienced car theft at some point, equating to over 7.6 million drivers.

As the winter months approach and daylight hours decrease, experts have urged vehicle owners to take extra precautions to protect their cars from rising theft rates.

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The Ford Fiesta, a popular choice among UK drivers with around 1.5 million on the roads, has become the prime target for thieves.

Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance, said: “Having your car stolen is a stress on both your life and your living costs too.

“And with general car insurance costs at extreme highs, the impact of having your car stolen is proving to be a burden on drivers and the price they pay for their car insurance.

"That’s why it’s important that drivers do all they can to protect their cars from thieves. And there are many ways to do this.”

Confused.com revealed that 10,346 Ford Fiestas have been stolen since January 2018, averaging about 2,000 thefts per year.

The Volkswagen Golf follows closely behind with 9,526 thefts over the same period. The BMW 3 Series ranks third, with 9,148 reported thefts.

Notably, the most targeted cars vary by region. In London for example, the BMW X6 tops the list, while Birmingham sees the Ford Fiesta as its most frequently stolen vehicle.

To combat the rising tide of car thefts, Confused.com has launched a new probability tool which allows drivers to assess the likelihood of their current or prospective vehicle being stolen based on its make, model, and variant.

While the BMW X6 is the most stolen car in London, the Ford Fiesta tops the list in Birmingham. Other cities with high car theft rates include Manchester, Sheffield, and Romford.

Experts have now advised drivers to be vigilant, especially when parking on streets outside their homes, as this is where 28 per cent of car thefts occur.

Jones recommended investing in additional security devices like a steering wheel and handbrake locks, which serve as both physical and visual deterrents. Installing a tracking device is also suggested, as it can improve the chances of recovering a stolen vehicle.

He also stressed the significance of these precautions, noting that car theft can cause a huge financial burden on victims, with average repair costs of £364 and £671 to top up the cost of a new car.

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The most stolen vehicles since January 2018

1. Ford Fiesta - 10,346
2. Volkswagen Golf - 9,526
3. BMW 3 Series - 9,148
4. Ford Focus - 6,664
5. BMW 1 Series - 6,286
6. Mercedes-Benz C Class - 5,698
7. Audi A3 - 5,551
8. Range Rover Sport - 5,472
9. Vauxhall Corsa - 4,992
10. Vauxhall Astra - 4,357