LAMINATED side window glass fitted as standard is the key in enabling cars to achieve a five-star rating in the 'theft from' category of the New Car Security Ratings scheme.

The £53,950 Lexus LS430 Premium Pack is the only model so far tested to achieve a five-star rating in both the 'theft of' and 'theft from' categories. Lexus national corporate sales manager Andy Simpson said: 'It shows it is possible to produce a car which is difficult to break into and steal. The whole point is to drive down insurance rates and wholelife costs which goes beyond fuel economy and residual values.'

While laminated side window glass is mainly the preserve of some £50,000 vehicles, John Winter, Vauxhall's car security manager believes it will become a standard feature on sub-£10,000 cars in future.

He said: 'It is a challenge for us but we all want to achieve five-star ratings for our cars. There is still some work to be done on vehicle security particularly on laminated glass. However, there is a cost to bear and we need to get the balance right between vehicles being secure and keen pricing.'