The Ford Transit is still top of the thieves’ shopping list, followed by the Mercedes Sprinter and the Mitsubishi L200, according to HPI’s latest league table of the most commonly stolen light commercial vehicles (LCVs).
However, it is perhaps not surprising that the country’s best-selling LCVs feature in a list of the most stolen vans.
“It’s not just van owners that need to be concerned about which LCVs are most commonly stolen; used van buyers also need to consider the risks,” explained Daniel Burgess, managing director for HPI.
Outstanding finance also continues to be a major risk with around one in eight vans checked with HPI still on a finance agreement.
Again, van owners could find themselves losing both the van and the money they paid for it, if the legal owner reclaims the vehicle.
One in 17 vans are likely to have been involved in an accident and declared a total loss, otherwise known as a write-off, by an insurance company.
Some insurance write-offs can be legitimately repaired by professionals and returned to the road, but many are damaged so badly they should only be scrapped.
Sadly, it is not uncommon for the unscrupulous, looking to make a quick profit, to disguise a van that isn’t safe so that they can put it back on the road, and then sell it on to an unsuspecting buyer, says HPI.
HPI STOLEN VAN HIT RATES
Ford Ford Transit 25%
Mercedes Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 21%
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi L200 13%
Nissan Nissan Primastar 4%
Peugeot Peugeot Expert 4%
Rory - 03/07/2013 12:57
Thanks for the article- was here looking for a list to add this "STOLEN white Mercedes Sprinter reg WP11 XHA Stolen on 28 June 2013, approx. 10.30pm from workshop at Unit 12 Wallend Close, Leamore , Walsall, West Midlands. The van had windows cut into sides and a roof window had been cut but had not been fitted. If anyone sees a van similar description please let us know. Crime number 20WS-106744X-13- West Midlands police. Of course it is more likely to have been stripped and sold off. Workshop owners power tools and materials were also stolen. apologies if this is not the kind of comment you would like- desperate to get van back-All summer plans with my 2 boys and work and traveling to work scuppered, I arranged everything around having the van. Cheers health and joy R. X