Security Supertest 2003 - Introduction

We test the security systems of 38 popular cars, along with tracking devices and laminated glass

More than one in 10 car-owning households in England and Wales fall victim to some form of car crime every year.

Official figures from the Home Office show that car crime has fallen by 9% between 2001/02 and 2002/03, but the true picture is far from clear.

The means by which the figures are calculated have changed, and using the old method, the drop is a more modest 1%. Plus, police sources have told us that the theft of car keys from a house in order to steal the car is often recorded as burglary.

As things stand, car crime still accounts for more than one in five recorded crimes, or 975,924 separate incidents every year. The British Crime Survey, which publishes crime levels based on interviews with the public and so includes incidents and thefts which go unreported to the police, suggests that the true figure could be well over two million.

The good news – so long as you own a new car – is that older vehicles are at far greater risk than more modern models. Even the most up-to-date cars are not perfect, though, as our annual Security Supertest continues to prove.

For the first time, What Car? has carried out independent testing of some of the leading brands of satellite tracking devices to see just what’s on offer.

For years we’ve praised Lexus for fitting secure glazing (laminated glass), which is far stronger than conventional toughened glass. So this year, again for the first time, we’ve attack tested laminated glass, and an aftermarket alternative that could be fitted
to your car tomorrow.

Click here to see the full table of results.