A SHOCKING new wave of car theft has prompted a man to upload a video warning drivers.
Uploaded to TikTok, the video shows the car’s steering wheel is missing after its window has been put through.
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TikTok user @s7fu_b uploaded the video with the title: ‘Warning BMW 2 Series drivers.’
He starts the video saying: ‘BMW 2 Series drivers, be careful!’
‘It’s happening to you guys as well.’
He walks from the front of the BMW and down its side to its driver’s window which has been put through.
The camera then focuses on the steering wheel – or at least where the steering wheel used to be.
Thieves have broken into the BMW 2 Series to steal the steering wheel, but probably more specifically the airbag within it.
Lorna Connelly, head of claims at Admiral said earlier this year: “Our data shows that the number of claims for stolen steering wheels has increased in recent years, with the biggest rise in the last year.
“You might wonder why a thief would take a steering wheel, but it’s what’s inside they’re really after.
“We understand that they’re being stolen for the airbags housed inside them.
“In the last four years, we’ve received more than 500 claims for stolen steering wheels, with the biggest rise in 2021 when there was a 68% increase compared with 2020.
“The most commonly targeted cars appear to be BMWs, however our data shows that most popular makes, including Fords, Mercedes and Land Rovers have been hit.
With most cars stolen to fetching around £250 when sold on by thieves, it’s often easier to just steal parts instead.
Connelly continues: “A garage might buy the stolen airbag for between £200 and £500 before charging a customer a few hundred pounds more.
“This would still be cheaper than the driver going to an authorised dealership, where it costs up to £1,000 to replace an activated or faulty airbag.
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