Citroen’s cars are among the most difficult to break into or steal, according to a new survey.

Now with one of the newest passenger car ranges on the UK market, features such as double locking, alarms, immobilisers, parts identification and security glazing helped the French manufacturer scoop three first places and a second spot in the 2005 British Insurance Car Security Awards this week.

The awards are based on New Vehicle Security Ratings (NVSR) set by Thatcham – the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre – and are supported by insurers, the Home Office, the Department for Transport, the AA Motoring Trust and the Advanced Automotive Glazing Manufacturer’s Association (AAGMA).

C3, in range-topping Exclusive trim, won the citycar and supermini category. Citroen C4 Exclusive picked up the small family sector gong, and the C4 VTS scored top points in the performance and hot-hatch sector, beating the Porsche 911 Carrera.

Peugeot’s 407 Executive pipped its sister Citroen C5 Exclusive to take the family car category. Volvo, however, took the overall manufacturer award as its S40/V50, C70, XC90, S80, S60, V70, XC70 were rated highly across several categories.

To identify this year’s winners, judges considered 82 model ranges having at least one variant that met the awards selection criteria (a third more than 2004), 44 of which comply with the criteria across the entire model range (double that of last year).

Alain Favey, Citroen UK managing director, says: "One of our key aims is to provide our customers with the highest levels of security and the lowest possible insurance rates. These awards are testimony to our extensive work and success within this arena."

2005 British Insurance Car Security Awards winners

City/supermini: Citroen C3 Exclusive
Small family: Citroen C4 Exclusive
Family: Peugeot 407 Executive
Compact executive: Lexus IS200
Compact MPV: Ford Focus C-Max Ghia
Large MPV: Renault Espace (all models excl Authentique)
Convertible/roadster: Saab 9-3 Convertible
Performance: Citroen C4 VTS
4x4: Volkswagen Touareg
Executive/luxury: Audi A8 3.7 and 4.2 V8 quattro
Manufacturer: Volvo Car UK