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The most stolen car in Murcia revealed – and it might not be what you expect
Despite being one of Spain’s safest regions for car theft, Murcia has a clear favourite among criminals
A recent study has named the Seat Ibiza as the most stolen car in the Region of Murcia, despite the area having one of the lowest car theft rates in Spain. The report, Vehicle Theft in Spain (2019-2023), was carried out by Línea Directa and based on data from its own portfolio of 2.5 million vehicles, along with figures from the Ministry of the Interior.According to the study, car theft in Murcia occurs at a rate of 0.4%, compared to a national average of 0.8%. For motorcycles, the rate is slightly higher at 0.9%. While these figures suggest Murcia is a relatively safe place for vehicle owners, theft remains a serious issue across Spain, with around 90 cars stolen every day – adding up to 150,000 over the past five years.
Many of these stolen vehicles are never recovered. The report highlights that 70% of car thefts go unsolved, and just 39% of victims ever get their car back. Mar Garre, general director of the Línea Directa Foundation, warns that organised criminal gangs are often behind these crimes.
"They primarily seek to sell the vehicles for parts or use them to commit other crimes, such as smash-and-grab attacks," she explains. Some incidents may also be linked to attempted insurance fraud.
The most targeted vehicles tend to be around 11 years old and worth about €9,500. Alongside the Seat Ibiza, the Volkswagen Golf and Seat Leon are also high on the list of stolen cars, while the Honda Scoopy is the most frequently stolen motorcycle.
Thieves are also becoming more sophisticated, using tools like frequency jammers, coding machines and diagnostic devices to bypass security systems.
"There are many systems that have greatly sophisticated the way criminals operate," Garre warns.
To reduce the risk of theft, Garre advises vehicle owners to be mindful of where they park and to consider extra security measures, such as geolocation tracking, which can help recover stolen cars. Most importantly, she stresses the need to report thefts immediately, giving authorities the best chance of tracking down stolen vehicles.
While Murcia may be one of the safer regions in Spain for car theft, this latest study shows that criminals still have their favourites – and for now, the Seat Ibiza remains at the top of their list.
Image: Guardia Civil
