A CAR insurer has issued a warning to motorists after a spike in car airbags being stolen across Britain.
Thieves are targeting steering wheels to remove the airbags which are then sold on to dodgy garages looking to get a cheaper deal while charging customers market prices.
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The number of claims for stolen steering wheels has increased in recent years, with the biggest rise last year up by 68 percent compared to 2020.
In the last four years, Admiral Insurance have received more than 500 claims for stolen steering wheels.
BMWs are the most commonly targeted car however Mercedes, Fords and Land Rovers have also been hit, according to the insurer’s data.
Lorna Connelly, Head of Claims at Admiral, says airbag theft is a “relatively new phenomenon” which has been fuelled by criminals taking advantage of supply chain issues due to Covid.
She said: “The rise in thefts has been higher during the pandemic as the factories that produce airbags have been impacted by Covid, either shutting down permanently or struggling to keep up with demand once they reopen.
“Once the steering wheel has been stolen, the airbag is removed and sold onto unscrupulous garages who fit them to cars for less than dealerships would charge.
“The garage might buy the stolen airbag for between £200 and £500 before charging a customer a few hundred pounds more.
“This would still be cheaper than the driver going to an authorised dealership, where it costs up to £1,000 to replace an activated or faulty airbag.”
She urged drivers having repair work done to use authorised, reputable repairers, who only ever use approved parts sourced from specialist suppliers.
The warning comes as drivers have been urged to take caution after a fake number plate mysteriously appeared on a woman’s vehicle on a suburban street.
Charlotte Grundy went to get sunglasses from her car parked outside her home in Hale, Greater Manchester, on Saturday when she realised the number plate wasn’t right.
She found a sheet of film had been stuck on top of her number plate with an entirely new set of characters and digits.
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How to protect your car from airbag thieves:
- Use your garage if you have one to secure your vehicle, out of sight
- Invest in a steering wheel lock that is Sold Secure tested or Secured by Design (SBD) approved. Steering locks work well as a visual deterrent and some have added in alarms
- Park in a well-lit area when you can to minimise the risk of it being targeted by thieves
- Ensure you are locking your vehicle every time you leave it
- Position CCTV in a place that covers your vehicle
- Call the police if you spot anyone acting suspiciously near your vehicle
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