Are Ford Transit Vans Easy To Break Into?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Ford Transits are the most popular commercial van available in the UK. … However, the Ford

Transit is surprisingly vulnerable to break-ins

. From the rudimentary “peel and steal” technique, to the latest in car theft technology, Ford is fighting a constant battle to keep you one step ahead of thieves.

Are Ford Transits easy to steal?

If you have a new Ford Transit, you're in danger of it being stolen, and without keys. For the last few years, the older Mk7 Transit vans have been disappearing in the night,

stolen by gangs

that have easy pickings. Normally the vans are stripped of the engine and gearbox then burnt out to destroy evidence.

Why are Ford Transits so easy to steal?

However, if a gang want your New Ford Transit stolen, they come with the tools they need. So Ford have made this even easier because when they steal the new shape ford transit,

they can be twice as quick as they only have the ignition lock to deal with

, as seen here with this 2017 new Ford Transit.

How many Ford Transits have been stolen?

In 2019, the Ford Transit 125 T350 RWD, was the third most stolen vehicle with

772 models

stolen and 177 recovered. The FOI request also revealed that more were stolen in 2019 than in 2020, with 100,369 vehicles stolen in 2019 and 78,563 vehicles stolen in 2020.

How do thieves steal vans?

Key-fob Hacking

The radio signal from your keys to the locks on your van can be intercepted and replicated. Criminals can then unlock the vehicle easily using a scanner. In 2018, reports confirmed the rise in keyless van thefts. Up 44% from 2016,

82% of vans were stolen without keys in 2017

.

How are thieves stealing Ford Transits without keys?

There are several ways to steal a vehicle without the keys. In February 2019, we gave The Sun a demonstration about how ‘relay' keyless theft works. This theft is likely to have been comitted using a clever lock-pick to

gain entry to the van with sophisticated technology

used to start the vehicle.

What is the most secure van?

Top rated vans for security

Some of the top-rated Vans for higher security are the

Nissan Primastar

, Ford Transit, and VW Caddy just to name a few.

How do I protect my van from thieves?

  1. Always lock your van when it's unattended. …
  2. Be careful not to advertise what might be inside your van. …
  3. Don't leave behind valuables or any signs of them. …
  4. Remove expensive tools and equipment from your vans. …
  5. Keep your keys out of reach and sight.

How do I stop my van from breaking in?

  1. Lock your van. We know this is an obvious one. …
  2. Don't leave your van keys by the front door. …
  3. Don't leave valuables on display. …
  4. Store your tools sensibly. …
  5. Invest in additional security. …
  6. Park for prevention. …
  7. Ensure your van has an alarm and immobiliser fitted. …
  8. Insurance.

What is the most stolen van in the UK?

Meanwhile, according to vehicle protection company Tracker,

the Ford Transit

was the UK's most stolen and recovered van in 2018, followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

How often do vans get stolen?

On average

30 vans stolen every day

In fact, since 2016 over 43,000 vans were stolen, that's an average of 30 vans per day. A further 117,000 vans were broken into over the same period.

Are sprinters easy to steal?

Recent research revealed that the Sprinter was

one of the most commonly stolen light commercial vehicles

(LCVs) this past year. What's more, nearly 90 per cent of stolen LCVs were taken without the owners' keys.

Why do vans get stolen?

While it's generally the older Transits that thieves are targeting with possibly poorer security systems making them more vulnerable, vans are often

stolen without keys

and broken down to their component parts to be sold on.

What is the most stolen van?

In both 2020/2019,

the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 313 CDI

claimed the top spot for the most stolen vehicle with 1,169 vans stolen in 2020 and 1,466 stolen in 2019. In 2020, only 247 were recovered, in comparison to 362 vans recovered in 2019.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.