London’s most crashed cars have been revealed, with Mercedes models accounting for 21% of accidents on our roads.
A new survey by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has looked at over 17,000 accidents attended by the Met Police, looking at which car makes are involved in the most RTCs in London.
5. Volkswagen – 1,991 crashes (11% of overall crashes)
Volkswagen, sometimes known as just VW, are in fact the most popular car make in the UK, with over 131 thousand cars purchased in just 2022, so surprisingly the car make isn’t higher in the rank.
A German manufacturer, they are known for being behind the Golf, Passat, Jetta and Beetle – all iconic in their own right.
4. Vauxhall – 2,495 crashes (14% of overall crashes)
Vauxhall is one of the oldest established manufacturers in the UK, and was once known as a luxury car brand until building mid-market offerings during the Great Depression.
In fourth place in London and third place across the rest of the UK, they remain relatively safe.
3. BMW – 2,808 crashes (15% of overall crashes)
BMW, officially known as Bayerische Motoren Werke (a bit of a mouthful), is a German manufacturer and is known for its luxury cars. Whilst many surveys put BMW drivers at the top of their list for being the worst and rudest drivers on the roads, according to the latest data, they only account for 15% of overall crashes.
And with a luxury price tag, we can understand why drivers may be a bit more cautious behind the wheel of their new BMW.
2. Ford – 3,454 crashes (19% of overall crashes)
Ford is known for a range of loved models, from their Ford Fiesta (soon to be discontinued… RIP), all the way to their Mustangs and Focus… when you are next driving to your nearest supermarket, we imagine you’ll come across a fair few Fords on the roads.
1. Mercedes-Benz – 3,773 crashes (21% of overall crashes)
In the world of luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz are one of the most famous and reliable brands, well known for their sport cars. With a need for speed comes an increase in collisions, with over 1 in 5 crashes reported as part of this survey in fact Mercedes models, making them the most crashed car make on UK roads!
Next time you think about becoming Lewis Hamilton on the A1, it may be best to reduce your speed to protect you, other drivers and your beloved car!
Other ranking car makes include Audi which saw 1,934 crashes (10% of overall crashes), Citroen with 607 crashes (3% of overall crashes), Fiat with 449 crashes (2% of overall crashes) and finally Seat with 291 crashes (just 1% of overall crashes).
Keith Hawes, automotive specialist and Director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, has given his top tips on what to do if you end up in an accident:
“Being in a motor collision can take you by surprise, and you may be unsure of what to do next. Stop your vehicle as soon as it’s safe to do so, turning your engine off and putting your hazard lights on. If you are on a motorway, always pull into the hard shoulder and leave your vehicle via the side closest to the verge. Once on the verge, move as far away from the car and road as possible.
“If anyone is seriously hurt, call 999 or if not call police on 101. For insurance purposes, you should also take time-stamped photographs of all vehicles involved in the accident, taking note of the car’s make and licence plate. As with all road accidents, exchange insurance details with the other parties and contact your insurance provider to start a claim.
“With these car makes making up a majority of the vehicles on our roads, it may or may not come as a surprise that Mercedes ranks at the top of this list. Nonetheless, it’s a good reminder to driver to your car and road’s conditions, and taking extra care when wet or icy.”
