The vehicle dash cam manufacturer Nextbase has highlighted that a growing number of Brits are swapping their luxury SUVs for cheaper used models in a bid to prevent vehicle thefts.

Nearly 130,000 vehicles were stolen in the UK during the first quarter of 2024, almost double the amount that took place during the same period 10 years prior.

Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase, noted that one solution many drivers are resorting to is changing their current car for a less desirable model.

He advised: “You shouldn’t have to make your car ugly to stop it being stolen, and you shouldn’t have to settle for a car you don’t like because the one you do like is too much of a theft-magnet.

“But with theft rates at a 15-year high and so few cases being solved, it’s easy to see why motorists are resorting to these extreme measures.”

According to a survey of 2,000 drivers from across the UK, 17 percent admitted that they were deterred to upgrade their current car.

Nextbase also highlighted that a further 16 percent decided to buy a used car that has a lesser value due to the rising rate of car crime.

However, in addition to the risk of finding their car has been stolen, 22 percent of those taking part in the study also noted that the rising crime rate has contributed towards their insurance prices going up.

Bryn recommended that drivers looking to make sure their car is not stolen invest in a high-quality dash cam, with many of the latest models automatically recording when motion is sensed.

He continued: “Police are trying their best but are stretched. You can help them out and make it harder for thieves to get away with this by buying a modern dash cam, which will alert your phone the moment anyone touches your car.

“This will deter thieves and if they do steal your car make it far easier to catch them. With more dash cams on British roads, we won’t have to settle for second best any more.”

Another way in which drivers can protect their vehicle from criminals is by fitting other security devices to a variety of components.

Available from around £10, a steering wheel lock will make it harder and more time consuming for a thief to steer the vehicle, putting them at a higher risk of being spotted.

Similarly, installing a security camera near to where a motorist typically parks their car can also make criminals think twice before attempting to break in or steal a vehicle.