THE Porsche 911 Carrera 4S was the car most at risk of being stolen during 2016.

That's the result of research by the website MyCarCheck.com which discovered that one in six registrations checked returned a stolen warning.

Second most at risk was the Mercedes-Benz CLC 220 Cdi Sport Auto, with one in 11 checked returning a stolen warning, followed by the Range Rover Evoque Dynamic, Honda Jazz SE CVT and Ford Fiesta Zetec.

MyCarCheck chief Roger Powell said: "It should come as no surprise that the cars most at risk of being stolen in 2016 are prestige models. They are desirable to used car buyers and targeted by car thieves due to the profit potential.

"The fact that the UK's best-selling car, the Fiesta, is fifth on our list shows that any used car for sale can potentially be stolen.

"While the risk of buying one is relatively low, you must weigh that against the embarrassment of being pulled by the police and finding yourself massively out of pocket when it is seized and returned to its rightful owner.

"That's why all motor traders use vehicle provenance checks and we urge all consumers to do the same.

"The latest British Crime Survey showed that vehicle theft is on the rise for the first time in 20 years. The period April 2015 to March 2016 saw an eight per cent rise, with 80,047 vehicles recorded as stolen.

"You also have to bear in mind that cars stolen during house burglaries or by asset fraud aren't included, so the problem is serious and getting worse."