Thieves can steal car headlights faster than you think

Car theft is not what it used to be. Gone are the days when thieves stole an entire car. Now, they’re focusing on specific parts that can be quickly removed and flipped for profit. A noteworthy goal? Headlights on high-end car models have sparked a disturbing new trend in the UK, dubbed “eye-catching”.

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Over the past few decades, headlight design has evolved from simple to highly complex, with many vehicles now equipped with advanced matrix LED technology and dynamic active features. As a result, a single headlight unit can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Headlight technology is expensive

Taking the BMW 4 Series as an example, each laser headlight costs up to $3,000. scope. Meanwhile, the Audi Q7’s laser-matrix LED unit costs about $4,300 piece. Due to their exposed location, these expensive components are easy targets for thieves.

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While snatching the headlight assembly may cause some collateral damage—like the bumper, fenders, and hood—it’s still much faster than lifting the entire car. Additionally, it’s easier and safer for criminals to sell individual parts to local stores or unsuspecting online buyers who may think they’re getting a deal on a sweet upgrade.

Fast theft, big rewards

Philip Swift, technical director at Claims Management and Adjustment (CMA), spoke to Fleetworld about the headlight theft incident. He said: “This attack is simple but effective – rip off the headlights and drive off quickly. While unlikely to result in a write-off due to the high price of the vehicles involved, these repairs are costly.” It looks like A real steal, but not in a good way.

Swift explained: “A bit like catalytic converter theft, this is another troubling car crime trend that is adding to the pressure on insurance premiums to rise. It’s also adding another layer to our already overstretched police force. Headache problem.”

Incidents of tampering continue to increase

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that vehicle tampering incidents increased by 2% between April 2023 and March 2024, from 52,268 to 53,369. This shocking number includes cases of parts being stolen from parked vehicles, such as wheels, tires, headlights, and even mechanical parts.

A British company called Tracker believes that a disassembled vehicle is worth more than an intact vehicle due to the ever-increasing price of replacement parts. In the first half of 2024 alone, Tracker and UK police busted 37 “chip shops” specializing in dismantling stolen cars, a significant increase from the 55 similar cases they dealt with in all of 2023.

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Bentley Continental GT – CarScoops Illustration