Latest news with #Zetec
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Britain's most stolen cars in 2025 revealed with 7 models belonging to the SAME brand – is yours on the list?
Find out if your motor is at risk GONE IN A FLASH Britain's most stolen cars in 2025 revealed with 7 models belonging to the SAME brand – is yours on the list? BRITAIN's most stolen cars of 2025 have been revealed – and shockingly, seven of the top 11 belong to the same car brand. In just six months, a staggering 23,189 vehicles were swiped by thieves. Advertisement 7 In just six months, a staggering 23,189 vehicles were swiped by thieves Credit: Getty 7 Range Rover Sport HSE has now fallen to 15th on the list, with 79 reported thefts this year Credit: Getty 7 An orange Vauxhall Corsa E Elite Premium electric car Credit: Getty 7 The Corsa remains one of the UK's most stolen cars, often targeted by thieves using keyless tech Credit: Getty But while the figure is still high, it's a big drop compared to previous years, with 61,343 cars stolen in 2024, and a massive 104,000 in 2023. The figures come from a Freedom of Information request submitted by The Mirror to the DVLA, revealing how many cars were reported stolen between 1 January and 1 July 2025. Leading the list is the Fiesta Zetec, a long-time favourite with UK drivers thanks to its affordability, smart design and solid performance. Experts at Cinch explained: 'Zetec is a step above Style, and you get quite a lot of bang for your buck, including alloy wheels and a heated windscreen. Advertisement "This car also gets a significant lighting upgrade, with stylish LED daytime running lights and front fog lights that illuminate individually when cornering. "The Zetec model also comes with the company's slick, easy-to-use SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system, which works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.' Right now, over 3,200 used Zetecs are listed on Auto Trader, with prices starting from just £695. That budget-friendly price tag, especially for younger or first-time drivers, could explain why the model remains so widely used and, unfortunately, so commonly targeted. Advertisement Watch as thieves use high-tech trick to swipe Mercedes in under 20 secs - as devices used in 40% of thefts to be BANNED According to the DVLA, 211 Fiesta Zetecs were stolen in the first six months of the year alone. Closely behind were the Fiesta Titanium Turbo (167 thefts), Fiesta Titanium X (165), and Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV CVT (162). That makes three out of the top four most stolen models Ford Fiestas. Despite the worrying numbers, Ford says the figures need context. Advertisement 'Victims of its own success' A spokesperson said: 'The Ford Fiesta is a victim of its own sales success between 1976 and 2023. How to protect your car from thieves Wheel clamps are another great option that can prevent your car from being driven away. Again, they are highly visible as they are often sold in bright colours, and may deter opportunistic thieves looking for a quick and easy target. Traditional security measures are also considered when calculating insurance premiums. Rich Morley at Lancaster Insurance explains that, no matter what car you drive, classic or modern, traditional-style security measures can provide extra peace of mind and security for your vehicle, helping to deter thieves in the process. He added: 'When considering a risk profile, we will establish with customers any security measures they have in place to prevent potential theft." "There are more Fiestas on the road in the UK than most other makes and models, and therefore the total number of thefts is higher as a result.' They added: 'The Ford Fiesta is no more 'stolen' than many other types of cars including the VW Polo or Vauxhall Corsa if you look at the percentage of total registrations and not just the volume of thefts.' Elsewhere on the list, Toyota made an appearance – but other brands previously plagued by theft have dropped down the rankings. Advertisement Back in 2023, Land Rover was under fire after a spike in thefts left owners unable to get cover – especially in city centres. Car makers fighting back But after investing £17 million in security upgrades, including overhauling keyless entry systems on 300,000 vehicles, the Range Rover Sport HSE has now fallen to 15th on the list, with 79 reported thefts this year. Its parent company JLR also stumped up £1 million to help fund targeted police operations tackling vehicle crime gangs across the country. Toyota, meanwhile, has responded by rolling out extra security tech on popular models, such as immobilisers, GPS trackers, key blockers and protective plateskely. Advertisement Britain's most stolen cars of 2025 have been revealed: Ford FIesta Zetec - 211 Ford Fiesta Titanium Turbo - 167 Ford Fiesta Titanium X - 165 Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV CVT - 162 Ford Fiesta Zetec Turbo - 158 Nissan Juke Tekna CVT - 154 Ford Fiesta ST-2 Turbo - 149 Ford Fiesta Titanium - 130 Ford Fiesta ST-3 Turbo - 124 Toyota C-HR Excel HEV CVT - 105 7 A 2019 yellow Volkswagen Polo SE TSI Credit: Getty 7 The Fiesta remains Britain's most stolen car, with thousands taken each year due to its popularity and demand for parts Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Britain's most stolen cars in 2025 revealed with 7 models belonging to the SAME brand – is yours on the list?
Find out if your motor is at risk GONE IN A FLASH Britain's most stolen cars in 2025 revealed with 7 models belonging to the SAME brand – is yours on the list? BRITAIN's most stolen cars of 2025 have been revealed – and shockingly, seven of the top 11 belong to the same car brand. In just six months, a staggering 23,189 vehicles were swiped by thieves. Advertisement 8 In just six months, a staggering 23,189 vehicles were swiped by thieves Credit: Getty 8 Range Rover Sport HSE has now fallen to 15th on the list, with 79 reported thefts this year Credit: Getty 8 Ford models make up six of the top ten most stolen cars in Britain this year, with the Fiesta Zetec alone hit 211 times in just six months Credit: Getty 8 The Corsa remains one of the UK's most stolen cars, often targeted by thieves using keyless tech Credit: Getty 8 A 2019 yellow Volkswagen Polo SE TSI on the move Credit: Getty But while the figure is still high, it's a big drop compared to previous years, with 61,343 cars stolen in 2024, and a massive 104,000 in 2023. The figures come from a Freedom of Information request submitted by The Mirror to the DVLA, revealing how many cars were reported stolen between 1 January and 1 July 2025. Leading the list is the Fiesta Zetec, a long-time favourite with UK drivers thanks to its affordability, smart design and solid performance. Experts at Cinch explained: 'Zetec is a step above Style, and you get quite a lot of bang for your buck, including alloy wheels and a heated windscreen. Advertisement "This car also gets a significant lighting upgrade, with stylish LED daytime running lights and front fog lights that illuminate individually when cornering. "The Zetec model also comes with the company's slick, easy-to-use SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system, which works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.' Right now, over 3,200 used Zetecs are listed on Auto Trader, with prices starting from just £695. That budget-friendly price tag, especially for younger or first-time drivers, could explain why the model remains so widely used and, unfortunately, so commonly targeted. Advertisement Watch as thieves use high-tech trick to swipe Mercedes in under 20 secs - as devices used in 40% of thefts to be BANNED According to the DVLA, 211 Fiesta Zetecs were stolen in the first six months of the year alone. Closely behind were the Fiesta Titanium Turbo (167 thefts), Fiesta Titanium X (165), and Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV CVT (162). That makes three out of the top four most stolen models Ford Fiestas. Despite the worrying numbers, Ford says the figures need context. Advertisement 'Victims of its own success' A spokesperson said: 'The Ford Fiesta is a victim of its own sales success between 1976 and 2023. How to protect your car from thieves Wheel clamps are another great option that can prevent your car from being driven away. Again, they are highly visible as they are often sold in bright colours, and may deter opportunistic thieves looking for a quick and easy target. Traditional security measures are also considered when calculating insurance premiums. Rich Morley at Lancaster Insurance explains that, no matter what car you drive, classic or modern, traditional-style security measures can provide extra peace of mind and security for your vehicle, helping to deter thieves in the process. He added: 'When considering a risk profile, we will establish with customers any security measures they have in place to prevent potential theft." "There are more Fiestas on the road in the UK than most other makes and models, and therefore the total number of thefts is higher as a result.' They added: 'The Ford Fiesta is no more 'stolen' than many other types of cars including the VW Polo or Vauxhall Corsa if you look at the percentage of total registrations and not just the volume of thefts.' Elsewhere on the list, Toyota made an appearance – but other brands previously plagued by theft have dropped down the rankings. Advertisement Back in 2023, Land Rover was under fire after a spike in thefts left owners unable to get cover – especially in city centres. Car makers fighting back But after investing £17 million in security upgrades, including overhauling keyless entry systems on 300,000 vehicles, the Range Rover Sport HSE has now fallen to 15th on the list, with 79 reported thefts this year. Its parent company JLR also stumped up £1 million to help fund targeted police operations tackling vehicle crime gangs across the country. Toyota, meanwhile, has responded by rolling out extra security tech on popular models, such as immobilisers, GPS trackers, key blockers and protective plateskely. Advertisement Britain's most stolen cars of 2025 have been revealed: Ford FIesta Zetec - 211 Ford Fiesta Titanium Turbo - 167 Ford Fiesta Titanium X - 165 Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV CVT - 162 Ford Fiesta Zetec Turbo - 158 Nissan Juke Tekna CVT - 154 Ford Fiesta ST-2 Turbo - 149 Ford Fiesta Titanium - 130 Ford Fiesta ST-3 Turbo - 124 Toyota C-HR Excel HEV CVT - 105 8 According to the DVLA, 211 Fiesta Zetecs were stolen in the first six months of the year alone Credit: Getty 8 A 2019 yellow Volkswagen Polo SE TSI Credit: Getty
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
UK's most stolen car in 2025 is named but it's not the vehicle you'd expect
Following the Mirror's Freedom of Information request to the DVLA, the UK's most stolen car in 2025 has been named and shame - but there's more to the story than you'd think The UK's top 10 stolen cars in 2025 have been revealed - and seven models all belong to one major brand. Last month, the Mirror submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) - asking for the total number of vehicles that had been stolen from January 1, 2025, to July 1, 2025. It found that during the six month period, a staggering 23,189 cars had been targeted by thieves. While this might seem like a sky-high number, it reflects a sharp decrease compared to 2024, when reports suggest a whopping 61,343 vehicles were stolen. It's an even bigger drop from 2023, which saw an alarming 104,000 vehicles reported stolen - despite advances in security. It comes after UK drivers were warned over 'avoiding' road instead of having to follow new rule. Coming in at the top of the league tables is the Ford Fiesta Zetec, a 'timeless favourite' that is often praised for its practical features, classic design and reliability. "Zetec is a step above Style, and you get quite a lot of bang for your buck, including alloy wheels and a heated windscreen," say experts at Cinch. "This car also gets a significant lighting upgrade, with stylish LED daytime running lights and front fog lights that illuminate individually when cornering. The Zetec model also comes with the company's slick, easy-to-use SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment system, which works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto." At the time of writing, there are currently 3,241 second-hand Ford Fiesta Zetecs for sale on Auto Trader, with prices ranging from £695 to over £20,000. It is this affordable price point that has made the vehicle so popular, particularly amongst first-time drivers. According to the FOI, 211 of these vehicles had been stolen during the first six months of 2025. This is followed by the Ford Fiesta Titanium Turbo (167), the Ford Fiesta Titanium X (165) and the Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV CVT (162). However, speaking to the Mirror about the findings, a Ford spokesperson insisted that the Ford Fiesta is no more 'stolen' than many other types of cars including the VW Polo or Vauxhall Corsa if you look at the percentage of total registrations and not just the volume of thefts. Despite production of the small hatchback being discontinued in 2023, it remained one of the country's biggest-selling cars every year for more than a decade, with more than 4.8 million models registered to UK drivers. "The Ford Fiesta is a victim of its own sales success between 1976 and 2023," they added. "There are more Fiestas on the road in the UK than most other makes and models, and therefore the total number of thefts is higher as a result." Top 10 stolen cars in the UK Back in 2023, Land Rover was hit with swathes of complaints following a surge in thefts - particularly in cities - which left many Brits unable to even insure their cars. However, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport HSE has dropped to 15th on the list of recent stolen cars (with just 79 stolen vehicles) - thanks to its £17 million upgrade to update the security of its vehicles, including tweaking its key systems on 300,000 cars. Land Rover's parent company JLR also invested £1 million to fund proactive policing to tackle the organised crime groups targeting vehicles in the UK. Toyota has also invested millions in a 'variety of solutions' to help protect its customers from car theft, including protective plates, immobilisers, blockers and trackers.
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Watch pimped-out white van break THREE speed records to become world's fastest front-wheel drive Ford
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TRADESMAN'S van has made history by smashing three speed records to become the fastest front wheel drive Ford on the planet. The souped up 2001 Escort sped down a quarter mile drag strip in just 8.72 seconds at Santa Pod Raceway in Podington, Beds. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Terry and his fizzingly fast Ford Credit: Smash 5 Cheeky tweaks to the engine made it the fastest front-wheel drive Ford on the planet Credit: Smash Driver and owner Terry Newton, 41, hit a top speed of 168.4mph during his second qualifying pass at last weekend's Festival of Power event. It beat the previous fastest FWD Ford driven in 8.76 seconds at 152mph by a Focus over 20 years ago - and became the fastest FWD Zetec and Zetec stock block. After obliterating the record on Good Friday, Terry said: 'I never dreamed of getting it to go that fast. I didn't think it was possible. 'I hadn't driven since October and we were only going out to check if the van still worked. 'You set off and you just change gears before pulling a parachute but I knew it must have been a decent time as I could feel it dragging the van into the other lane. 'When I found out we'd beaten the record, I instantly cried remembering my seven-year-old daughter Elektra said to go win it when I saw her on Wednesday. 'We matched the record last year but to beat it is unbelievable as it takes so much work just to shave off those milliseconds when you reach these high speeds.' Terry, of Fat Pig Racing, swapped the van with a mate for a Mk4 Escort six years ago - and didn't have high hopes after blowing the head gasket driving it home to Preston, Lancs. The mechanic reckons he's spent more than £100,000 on modifications to make it reach 60mph in just 1.8 seconds, 100mph in 3.9 seconds and 135mph in 5.9 seconds. The two-litre turbo engine, which makes it quicker than a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, burns seven litres of methanol per quarter mile. It provides around 1,100 brake horsepower and could do 230mph but is too powerful to accurately measure without wheel spinning. Terry, who usually drives a Volkswagen Touareg, credits sponsors and mechanics Chris Eade, dubbed the Turbo Doctor, and Graeme Cook for turning the tradie's van into a world beater. He added: 'There's still work to do. I'm hoping to win an event next month against racers from all across Europe with a £100,000 prize pot. 'I got a phone call from world-famous DJ Carl Cox congratulating me as he's a lovely guy who also races in our class with his own team. 'To be the proud owner of the world's fastest FWD Ford is a really special moment. The sky's the limit for this old van.' Sun readers wanting to watch Terry in the Doorslammers event at Santa Pod Raceway on May 16-18 can save 20 per cent on tickets by using code SUN20 at checkout. 5 The tradesmen hit a whopping 168.4mph, beating the previous Ford record of 152mph over twenty years ago Credit: Smash 5 Terry cried at the finish line admitting "I didn't think it was possible" to get a Ford to go that fast Credit: Smash
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Watch pimped-out white van break THREE speed records to become world's fastest front-wheel drive Ford
A TRADESMAN'S van has made history by smashing three speed records to become the fastest front wheel drive Ford on the planet. The souped up 2001 Escort sped down a quarter mile drag strip in just 8.72 seconds at Santa Pod Raceway in Podington, Beds. 5 5 Driver and owner Terry Newton, 41, hit a top speed of 168.4mph during his second qualifying pass at last weekend's Festival of Power event. It beat the previous fastest FWD Ford driven in 8.76 seconds at 152mph by a Focus over 20 years ago - and became the fastest FWD Zetec and Zetec stock block. After obliterating the record on Good Friday, Terry said: 'I never dreamed of getting it to go that fast. I didn't think it was possible. 'I hadn't driven since October and we were only going out to check if the van still worked. 'You set off and you just change gears before pulling a parachute but I knew it must have been a decent time as I could feel it dragging the van into the other lane. 'When I found out we'd beaten the record, I instantly cried remembering my seven-year-old daughter Elektra said to go win it when I saw her on Wednesday. 'We matched the record last year but to beat it is unbelievable as it takes so much work just to shave off those milliseconds when you reach these high speeds.' Terry, of Fat Pig Racing, swapped the van with a mate for a Mk4 Escort six years ago - and didn't have high hopes after blowing the head gasket driving it home to Preston, Lancs. The mechanic reckons he's spent more than £100,000 on modifications to make it reach 60mph in just 1.8 seconds, 100mph in 3.9 seconds and 135mph in 5.9 seconds. The two-litre turbo engine, which makes it quicker than a Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, burns seven litres of methanol per quarter mile. It provides around 1,100 brake horsepower and could do 230mph but is too powerful to accurately measure without wheel spinning. Terry, who usually drives a Volkswagen Touareg, credits sponsors and mechanics Chris Eade, dubbed the Turbo Doctor, and Graeme Cook for turning the tradie's van into a world beater. He added: 'There's still work to do. I'm hoping to win an event next month against racers from all across Europe with a £100,000 prize pot. 'I got a phone call from world-famous DJ Carl Cox congratulating me as he's a lovely guy who also races in our class with his own team. 'To be the proud owner of the world's fastest FWD Ford is a really special moment. The sky's the limit for this old van.' Sun readers wanting to watch Terry in the Doorslammers event at Santa Pod Raceway on May 16-18 can save 20 per cent on tickets by using code SUN20 at checkout. 5 5
