British Insurance Car Security Awards 2004

The awards, based on the New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) scheme, recognise those manufacturers producing the most secure cars and help raise consumer awareness of what is best in vehicle security.

The categories, selection criteria and methodology behind the awards are backed by the British motor insurers, the Home Office, the Department for Transport and other organisations interested in improving car security.

Vehicle Categories

Chosen so that motorists can see which cars are the best in each class, the categories are as follows:

• City Car / Supermini
• Small Family Car
• Family Car
• Compact Executive Car
• Compact MPV
• Large MPV
• Convertible/Roadster
• Performance Car (i.e. Hot Hatch/Coupe/Performance/Super)
• 4x4
• Executive / Luxury Car

Methodology

The winning vehicles are chosen by:

• selecting candidates that satisfy the selection criteria as listed below
• ranking the candidates using the sum of the NVSR 'theft of' and 'theft from' points scores, taking account of any differences in the British Insurance Industry's New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) Criteria (e.g. Issue 3, Issue 3a or Issue 4)

The award(s) for each vehicle category is given to the vehicle(s) in the respective category with the highest combined points score for 'theft of' and 'theft from'.

The Manufacturer Award is given to the manufacturer with the most model ranges and widest market coverage, over the past 12 months, whose trim variants across each range fully meet the awards selection criteria.

Selection Criteria

The cars selected as candidates for the awards are those:

• Submitted for insurance group rating purposes
• Subjected to NVSA testing and rated by NVSR
• In current production with standard original equipment to UK specification
• Supplied to the UK market as at end April 2005
• Having five stars for 'theft of'
• Having four or more stars for 'theft from'
• With double locking on all openings fitted with an interior release
• With an insurance group rating 'E' suffix as decided by the Insurance Group Rating Panel, which denotes that the car exceeds the security requirement for the model variant and the group rating has consequently been reduced
• With an original equipment alarm/immobiliser combination that satisfies the British Insurance Industry's Criteria and is specified in Thatcham's 'Vehicle Security National Listing' available

Security Ratings

The NVSR security ratings take no account of the relative cost of different makes/models or of any differences in perceived or actual attractiveness to car thieves. They are design based and take account of the following:

For 'theft of'

• Ignition/steering column lock
• Peripheral locks and mechanisms
• Electronic security system (alarm and immobiliser systems)
• Vehicle identification
• Secondary mechanical immobilisation system
• Glazing
• Key/component management
• Additional security features (e.g. locking rear seats and/or storage areas)
• Key duplication, key code information - one star deducted if unsatisfactory

For 'theft from'

• Peripheral locks and mechanisms
• Alarm system
• ICE and in car electronics
• Glazing
• Key/component management
• Additional security features (e.g. locking rear seats and/or storage areas)
• Key duplication, key code information and road wheel and spare security - one star deducted if unsatisfactory