The discontinued Ford Fiesta set to become top of thieves hitlist
With news from Ford that it will be discontinuing its iconic Fiesta from June next yeari , stolen vehicle recovery expert, Tracker Network (UK) Ltd, is warning Fiesta owners to be on their guard as the beloved model could become a hot target for thieves. Known as ‘Britain's Favourite Car’, there are currently around 1.5 million Ford Fiestas in the UKii , and it was the top-selling Ford model for 12 years in a row from 2009 to 2020iii.
Clive Wain, Head of Police Liaison at Tracker, explains why the halt in production puts the Fiestas that are on the road at an increased risk of theft, “It is common for any vehicle to become in high demand when supply stops, and the price of parts will slowly start to increase. The Ford Fiesta was the most stolen car in 2021 so it is already a hot target for thievesiv . The end of the Fiesta doesn’t just signal the end of one of the most popular cars in the UK, but an even greater theft risk for those cars that are currently on the road.
“Over the last few years, we’ve already seen that a global lack of good quality used vehicles, alongside spare parts shortages, are increasing the desirability of older, lower value cars like the Fiesta. Vehicles are often stolen and stripped for their parts in chop shops or stolen to order to be shipped abroad to meet international demand.
“Opportunistic thieves know there will be a demand for Fiesta parts and will be on the lookout for acquiring these vehicles at any chance they get. We are urging Fiesta owners to ramp up their security methods to keep their cars safe, including a mix of modern and traditional security deterrents like crook locks and wheel clamps. Although stolen vehicle tracking technology will not stop a thief from stealing a car, it is the only way to significantly help police quickly close the net on thieves and return the vehicle to its rightful owner.”
Tracker has an unrivalled stolen vehicle recovery rate of more than 95%, with 80% of those stolen vehicles recovered within 24 hours, thanks to its exclusive nationwide partnership with the UK’s police.
Tracker’s Security Advice for Ford Fiesta Owners
- At home, don’t keep keys in a place where they can be seen or accessed from outside.
- If your vehicle has a keyless car entry system, consider storing your keys – both sets – in a metal tin or Faraday pouch to block the signal against relay attack technology.
- Never leave the keys in the vehicle’s ignition when you are stepping away from the vehicle, even if you are just jumping out quickly.
- Never leave your car running unattended when de-icing.
- Always lock and secure your vehicle.
- Do not leave belongings or technology items on display, such as satnavs or mobile telephones. Take them with you or lock them in the boot.
- Never leave car documents or spare keys inside the car – this only makes it easier for thieves to sell it on.
- Park in busy or well-lit and attended car parks near CCTV cameras.
- If you have a garage, use it to park your car.
- Consider fitting a tracking device to help police recover your vehicle if it’s stolen.
i https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63391466
ii https://www.statista.com/statistics/313272/ford-fiesta-registered-cars-in-great-britain/
iii https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/26/end-of-the-road-for-ford-fiesta-uks-all-time-best-selling-car-halts production#:~:text=During%20the%2047%20years%20since,row%20from%202009%20to%202020.
iv DVLA: https://www.gbnews.uk/news/the-uks-most-stolen-cars-in-2021-revealed/226189
