In 2012, £12.5 million worth of cars were recovered by TRACKER - the self-titled stolen vehicle recovery experts. Of these cars, £2 million worth were Mercedes-Benz, showing that thieves favour the luxury German brand when choosing their next joyride.
Furthermore, the top five vehicles recovered by TRACKER are all from Mercedes; comprising of the SLK, ML, C-Class, CLS and E-Class in descending order.
"The theft of vehicles has become much more sophisticated and in some instances brutal, as criminals find more ways to steal desirable, high-end cars," comments Stuart Chapman, Police Relationships Manager for TRACKER. "Installing a TRACKER significantly increases the chances of a stolen vehicle being recovered and returned to its owner."
According to the 2010/11 British Crime Survey, a car is stolen in the UK every five minutes - and only half of them are ever recovered. TRACKER's statistics help to give some reassurance; since its establishment 20 years ago the company claims to have recovered over £471 million worth of vehicles. TRACKER also claims to recover over 90 per cent of vehicles fitted with the device - many of which are back with their owners within 24 hours.
With no aerials or cables to advertise its presence, car thieves simply don't know the tracking device is there. TRACKER is also the only company to operate within every police force in the UK and it provides a strong enough signal to give away a vehicle's location even if it's hidden in a building, container or garage.
James Giddings - 3 May 2013