Thursday 16th December 2004

Beemers are best at car security

Tests show 5 Series and X3 are hardest to enter

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What Car? magazine's latest security tests show that two of the cars least likely to get broken into are BMWs – a 5 Series and an X3. The Mini Cooper and Golf GTi do less well though, coming 13th and 18th respectively.

At the bottom of the 20-strong table is the Fiat Panda, which was entered in just eight seconds. The news comes as the nation’s consumers approach the biggest shopping weekend of the year – and many will fall prey to thieves targeting cars packed with Christmas shopping.

Every year, What Car?’s expert testers assess the security of new cars. This year, using only commonly available tools, they attempted to break into 20 new cars without causing any physical damage to the vehicles. Only four kept their experts out for two minutes, the guideline laid down by the Home Office.

1. BMW 525i SE Did not gain entry BEST
2. Lexus RX300 SE-L Did not gain entry
3. Peugeot 407 SE Did not gain entry
4. BMW X3 SE Did not gain entry
5. Skoda Octavia Ambiente 1 min 57 sec
6. Volvo S40 SE 1 min 48 sec
7. VW Touran S 1 min 40 sec
8. Citroën C2 VTR 1 min 15 sec
9. BMW 116i 1 min 9 sec
10. Audi A6 Quattro SE 1 min 4 sec
11. Peugeot 307 CC 1 min 3 sec
12. Renault Scénic Privilège 53 sec
13. Mini Cooper S Convert’ 52 sec
14. Vauxhall Astra Design 46 sec
15. Subaru Legacy SE 40 sec
16. Mazda RX-8 39 sec
17. Smart Forfour Pulse 31 sec
18. VW Golf GT 26 sec
19. Kia Picanto SE 11 sec
20. Fiat Panda Dynamic 8 sec WORST

Although the British Crime Survey suggests that car crime was 12 per cent down in 2003/04, there are still more than 1.3 million thefts from cars a year. Car crime accounts for almost 15 per cent of all recorded crime.

What Car?’s editor, David Motton, said: "Car security is far better than a decade ago, but there are still some popular cars on sale with weak locking systems. We advise all buyers to consider the results of our security tests before they buy.

"Also use your common sense. Never leave belongings, such as mobile telephones, laptops, jackets or bags of shopping on show to tempt thieves. Where possible, put them out of sight in the locked boot or take them with you. Always lock your car and activate the alarm and immobiliser where fitted."

What Car?’s security test is an annual event. To see the full table of 126 cars tested over the past four years, go to www.whatcar.com.

[snorky]

what happened to 19 and 21