The Couple Who “Stole” Their Own Car, and What It Tells Us About Car Theft Today

27th June 2025

A Recovery Mission

You know the phrase, “If you want something done right, do it yourself”? One British couple took that idea seriously and applied it to recovering their stolen car.

When their Jaguar E-Pace - a model worth about £46,000 new in 2024 - was stolen from outside their home, they did what anyone would do: they reported it to the police and shared the GPS location from an Apple AirTag they had hidden inside the vehicle. But when the police failed to act quickly enough, frustration took over. Determined to get their car back, the couple went out searching themselves - and found it parked in broad daylight on a quiet street in Chiswick, just three miles from where it had been stolen.

This wasn’t their first brush with car theft either. Seven years earlier, their Fiat Abarth had been stolen from the exact same spot, prompting them to take extra precautions with the Jaguar. They had installed a second immobiliser in addition to the factory one; a move that likely thwarted the thieves. When they found the car, there were clear signs the original immobiliser had been bypassed, but the added one had done its job.

After proving ownership in a call with the car’s software company, the couple were able to unlock their Jaguar and drive it safely home.

Job done. Their story quickly made headlines and drew applause from others who had fallen victim to auto crime.

A Growing Problem, a Shrinking Response

While the story had a satisfying ending, the bigger picture is less reassuring. Vehicle theft in the UK has risen sharply in recent years. Thieves are increasingly sophisticated, using signal-boosters and keyless tech to outsmart even modern security systems.

But what’s most worrying for drivers is what happens after the theft. As this couple’s story shows, recovery efforts are patchy at best. Many people never see their car again… or get it back in one piece.

The Real Cost of a Stolen Car

What doesn’t make the headlines is the financial fallout. Even if your car is insured, the payout may not cover what you paid for it, especially if it’s a newer vehicle that’s lost value quickly.

This is where products like GAP insurance quietly play their part. It’s not flashy or exciting, but it’s designed for exactly these worst-case scenarios: helping to make up the difference if your stolen (or written off) car is worth less than you owe, or less than you paid.

It’s not a headline-grabber, but it’s the kind of thing you’re grateful to have before anything goes wrong.

Car Theft Isn't Just an Urban Legend

Stories like this one are entertaining, but they also highlight how vulnerable many drivers are. While you hopefully won’t need to go full vigilante, it’s worth thinking about how you’d respond if your car was taken.

Good security, GPS tracking, and common sense are all key. And a little extra cover - like GAP - can quietly back you up when the rest of the system doesn’t.