The ten most vandalised cars

If your car is more susceptible to vandalism, check out these top ways to protect it...

For some people, their car is their pride and joy. So the last thing you want is for it to get vandalised.

However, according to research by Swiftcover.com, certain cars are more likely to get vandalised than others.

In fact, if you own a Lexus IS or BMW Z4 or Mini One, you’re most likely to be affected by vandalism. Here’s the full list of the top ten most vandalised cars:

The research revealed that high-end brands were consistently targeted more than any other – BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz were the three brands of car most likely to be badly damaged. Meanwhile, ‘everyday cars’ such as Ford and Citroen were vandalised less often. In fact, the Ford Focus had an index rating of just 1.88.

So if you own one of the cars in the top ten list, what can you do to prevent your car from being vandalised? Take a look at these top tips.

1. Keep your car in the garage

If you have a garage – use it! And ensure the garage is kept locked. Using a garage to store your car will also reduce your car insurance premiums – so it’s well worth doing.

If you don’t have a garage, park your car on your driveway. And if that’s not possible and you’re parking your car on a street, try to park it near a street lamp so that your car will remain in a well-lit area all night.

2. Use a security light and camera

Sticking with the theme of light, if you are keeping your car on the driveway, it’s also a good idea to invest in a security light – and even a camera if you’re really concerned - to install on the front of your house. If your garage is detached from your home, it’s worth having a light between the two.

3. Use a car cover

Similarly, it’s also worth investing in a car cover. A full size one will act as a deterrent to vandals because they will have to make the effort to lift or remove the cover to damage your car – and in many cases, they simply won't be bothered!

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4. Remove valuable items

Recent research from Your Cover Car Insurance revealed that British motorists regularly leave £3.2bn worth of belongings in their cars overnight!

According to the survey, the most common high value items left in cars include portable sat navs, MP3 players, golf clubs, mobile phones, sunglasses, cameras, handbags, wallets, DVD players and jewellery.

But if you leave items such as these in your car overnight, you’re just asking for trouble.

Even worse, the report also revealed that over half of motorists don’t always lock their cars at night! And by doing so, they are simply encouraging theft and vandalism.

So ensure you don’t leave anything valuable in your car and always lock up!

5. Get an alarm fitted

It’s also worth getting an alarm fitted on your car. Not only can this discourage vandalism, but it will also deter criminals from stealing your car or taking items from it.

6. Tuck your car in at night!

Ensure your car’s wing mirrors are tucked in and aerials are removed when you’re not using your car so they are not a temptation to vandals. You can also pick up special locking wheel nuts that will stop your wheels being stolen overnight.

7. Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

If there’s a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area – join it. By doing so, you’ll get to know your neighbours and you’ll be more likely to keep an eye on your neighbours’ property (including their car) and they will be more likely to keep an eye on yours. You’ll also be able to share crime prevention advice.

If there isn’t a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in place, think about setting one up.

8. Check your insurance policy

Make sure you check exactly what your car insurance policy covers you for. Does it cover you for vandalism and malicious damage? If it doesn’t, it might be worth paying a bit extra to ensure you'll be covered.

For tips on keeping your car insurance costs down, read 10 tips to beat rising car insurance premiums.

**Based on the percentage chance that the car would be vandalised in a one year period from November 09 – November 10, multiplied by 10. The most popular car on the road in the UK, the Ford Focus, has an index score of 1.9.

More: Get a great car insurance deal | How your car can protect you from burglars | The UK’s most reliable car