An auto expert gave tips on how to protect a car from theft

Popular car models are the most stolen, but there are many ways to increase their safety. Alexander Kornev, head of the Department for Work with Importers at Gazprombank Automotive Leasing, told Izvestia on July 8 how to protect personal vehicles from theft.

First of all, the expert advised leaving cars in lighted areas or under video surveillance, as dark corners often attract hijackers.

"If the car stays stationary for a long time, then ideally use paid parking. Many hijackers specifically monitor the "abandoned cars" so that they have time to cover their tracks," the expert said.

When selling a car, you should also be careful: avoid specifying the exact location in ads and try to photograph the car from afar. In addition, it is important to minimize uncontrolled access to the car, especially in the services and when using the services of a "sober driver".

It is noted that parking in large parking lots near shopping malls can also be risky. Kornev recommended leaving the car in less crowded places or closer to the entrance to reduce the likelihood of theft.

As for anti-theft alarms, they can slow down the actions of hijackers, so installing them is a smart step.

"Cars with a complex of locking systems are best protected from theft, that is, when thieves are confronted by several different methods at once, rather than one, even the most modern one. Hijackers, as a rule, work on time, so when faced with difficulties in different places, they are likely to leave the car," said Kornev.

In addition, Kornev advised adding an immobilizer with a PIN code and a location tracker to the alarm system. Installing locking pins on the gearbox and steering shaft will also significantly improve vehicle safety. The more obstacles there are for the hijacker, the higher the chance of saving his car, he concluded.

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Auto experts from Avtospeccenter Group reported on July 4 that cars with modern immobilizers and telematics are the least popular among hijackers. According to the Russian Interior Ministry, Hyundai and Kia were most often stolen in 2024, while Mazda, Volkswagen and premium Chinese cars such as EXEED and TANK remained less attractive to kidnappers.