Vulnerable vehicles: 198,370 luxury cars are currently registered off the road

• Almost 200,000 prestige cars are not being used
• More than 91,000 BMWs hiding on driveways
   

Almost 200,000 ‘prestige’1 cars in the UK are currently off the road, according to new analysis2 of the UK’s ‘national car parc’3 by Direct Line’s SELECT Premier Insurance.

The specialist insurer is highlighting the benefits of adequately insuring off the road vehicles registered with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). Aston Martins, Bentleys, Ferraris and Maseratis are just some of the luxurious brands stored in garages and driveways where the car or its accessories could become a potential target for thieves.

There are more BMWs off the streets than any other luxury car brand as 91,585 of them are currently registered off the road. Jaguars and Porsches are always positioned as dream cars and a life goal to own, however 37,484 Jaguars and 22,305 Porsches are currently sitting in driveways rather than being driven by their owners.
 

Top five prestige car makes currently registered off the road

Source: Direct Line’s SELECT Premier Insurance’s analysis of data supplied by the Department for Transport, April 2016
 

The analysis also found that TVR is the most likely prestige brand to be registered on a SORN with 44 per cent of them currently off the road, closely followed by Jensen with 43 per cent.

Nick Brabham, head of SELECT Premier Insurance, says: “The number of luxury cars currently off the road is rather surprising. These vehicles are often seen as the ultimate dream motor for owners, but a proportion still end up being registered off the road. It’s recommended that owners still consider the benefits of adequate insurance to protect high value vehicles.

“Car badges and accessories from luxury brands are desirable to thieves looking to sell them on. If your car is off the road, make sure it’s parked in a garage (if possible) with valuables out of sight or better still out of the car completely. By failing to do so, this could put your vehicle at risk, and make it an appealing target for potential thieves.”
 

For more information on this please visit: 
 

ENDS

Notes to editor

1Prestige cars include Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Bristol, Daimler, Ferrari, Jaguar, Jensen, Lamborghini, Range Rover, Lotus, Maserati, Maybach, McLaren, Porsche, Rolls Royce and TVR

2Direct Line Group analysis of car statistics tables produced by the Department for Transport and published 14 April 2016 covering cars licensed and those registered with a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification).

3The car parc is the number of cars available in the UK. It includes cars which are licenced and those which are registered under the SORN. 
 

For further information please contact:

Claire Foster

Direct Line

claire.foster@directlinegroup.co.uk

0165 183 1672
 

About SELECT Premier Insurance
 

Direct Line offers SELECT Premier Insurance to cover homes, cars and valuables of high worth, as well as breakdown cover, pet and travel insurance, all covered under just one policy. When taking out SELECT Premier Insurance, Direct Line will even pay your cancellation charges from your previous policy, making it even easier and affordable to have all your policies under one roof, with one payment plan and one renewal date.

At SELECT Premier Insurance we help you stay in control by offering you a truly personal service. To begin with, one of our accredited insurance advisors will carry out a complimentary individual telephone review with you. Then they’ll give you tailored advice, based on your unique needs, for example, specialist cover for valuables such as fine art and jewellery (without needing to list individual items worth less than £10,000) or for your property portfolio, to ensure you get exactly the right level of cover.

To find out more about what Direct Line SELECT Premier can offer, go to  or go straight through to an expert, not a machine, on 0800 206 2849

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
 

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