What are the most stolen cars in the UK?
While it may not be something we always like to think about, car theft in the UK and around the world is an un-wanted reality of owning a car. According to figures released by the DVLA, 61,343 vehicles were stolen in 2024 in the UK. Whilst this number represents an approximate 6% drop in vehicle theft from 2023, it is still a staggeringly high number – but why is this number so high? Why are there some cars more targeted than others?
Let's face it, car theft in the UK is higher than it should be. Recent years have seen increases in cars being stolen across all areas, not just major cities as you might expect.
You might be interested to know which is the most stolen car in the UK or perhaps you're in the process of buying a new or used car and you want to make sure you don't immediately become the target of your local car thieves.
We've used the most up to date data that we can get our hands to provide you with a list of the most stolen cars in the UK.
According to the latest figures on car-theft in 2024, the most stolen car in the UK was the Ford Fiesta. This probably doesn’t come as too much of a surprise as the Ford Fiesta continues to be country’s most popular car with around 1.5 million being driven on our roads. The number of Ford Fiestas reported stolen in 2024 was 4,446, which is down from the alarming 5,976 that were stolen in 2023.
Parking up in the second-place spot for 2024 is the Volkswagen Golf with 1,731 cars stolen last year – not even close to the number one spot held by the Fiesta, but still a high number.
Closing the gap in third place is the Ford Focus, with 1,700 cars reported stolen in 2024.
In fourth place we have the BMW 3 Series with 1,371 stolen, and rounding out our top 5 is the Toyota RAV4 with 1,260 reported thefts last year.
Quite a top 5 so far!
Target risk factors
Changes in technology - Certain vehicles can be easier to steal because the use less advanced anti-theft technology. Thieves can bypass older security systems or use techniques like relay attacks on keyless entry systems.
Demand for parts - Thieves can steal a car simply to strip it down for valuable components, especially older models that are easier to access.
Popularity of the car - Some cars, like the Ford Fiesta for example, are extremely popular and there are simply more of them on the roads than other models, making them a prime target for thieves.
Low recovery rates – Certain cars are targeted more because they are less likely to be tracked and recovered after theft. Criminals know that some models lack built-in GPS tracking or are less likely to be reported quickly, making them easier to resell or export without detection.
Before we get into the final 5...
Here are somethings about the history of car theft that you may not already know...
The first recorded incident of ‘taking without the consent of the owner’ in the UK, occurred in 1903 when a young relative of a Cheshire based surgeon ‘borrowed’ a car from his collection to race with his peers.
The Ford Fiesta has been the most stolen car in the UK since at least 2019.
Thanks to advanced tracking technologies and GPS systems, the recovery rates for stolen cars have been gradually improving. Some reports suggest that up to 50% of stolen vehicles are recovered.
Okay, without further ado, let’s round off the rest of the top 10.
Coming in at number 6 we have the Mercedes C-Class with 1,123 cars being reported stolen in 2024.
Now I know some of you may be thinking, where are the Range Rovers? Well, it’s a bit of a good news, bad news situation for Range Rover drivers in 2024. The Range Rover Evoque pulls in at number 7 in 2024 with 1,087 reported stolen and whilst this is still a high number, theft of Range Rover Evoques is down by 27% from the previous year.
Taking the number 8 space is the Nissan Juke with 1,027 stolen and in at number 9 is the Vauxhall Corsa with 870 thefts.
Completing our Top 10 most stolen cars of 2024 is the Range Rover Sport – a historically popular choice amongst car thieves, especially in urban areas. 867 Range Rover Sports were stolen in 2024, which is an impressive 47% less than in 2023 – an unprecedented decline. Credit to Land Rover for this reduction in thefts as they have been retrofitting more advanced security systems to its vehicles.
By being aware of the most stolen car models and taking proactive measures to protect your car, it's possible to reduce the risk, but it doesn’t look like car theft is going away anytime soon unfortunately. The Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, and other popular models remain common targets for thieves, but with smart precautions, you can better safeguard your car against theft.
Layer your defences
In an ideal world you should layer your defences in both of these camps, for example:
Stop your car being stolen in the first place, the proactive approach:
Keep your car out of sight of thieves in a garage.
There's a reason why you're usually asked 'where you keep your car overnight?' when you obtain an insurance quote, this is because where you keep your car overnight (when car thieves are most active) will have an impact on the likelihood of it being stolen. You keep it in a garage, where no one can see it or get to it easily = less likely to be stolen or you keep your car on the street where it's fully visible, easily accessible and door handles can be tried ad hoc as walking by.
Use a steering wheel lock - the full wheel covering versions can be most effective
A decent steering wheel lock can be a good visible deterrent that may put off opportunist thieves from attempting to steal your car.
Recover your car if it's stolen, the proactive approach:
Use a tracker
If the thieves get through your proactive measure to stop your car being stolen then you need a reactive solution to getting your car back, hopefully without any damage. There are some good quality trackers out there, which will allow your stolen vehicle to be located and recovered.
By using a multi layered approach you increase your chances of your car not ending up in these most stolen car makes and models next time we update this article.
The Proactive Approach: Stop It Before It Happens
There’s no silver bullet to stop car theft, but the key is layered security — combining proactive and reactive measures.
1
Park smart: Keep your vehicle in a locked garage or driveway overnight when possible. Cars left on the street are far more vulnerable — especially under cover of darkness.
2
Use visible deterrents: A steering wheel lock (especially a full-wheel version) can make thieves think twice. These locks are large, highly visible, and difficult to remove quickly.
3
Block key signals: Use a Faraday bag to store your key fob — it blocks the wireless signal, preventing relay attacks where thieves copy your key’s signal from outside your home.
4
Secure your keys: Never leave keys by the front door or in easily accessible places. Always double-check your car is locked, even when parked on your driveway.
The Reactive Approach: Recovering a Stolen Car
1
Install a tracker: If the worst happens, a GPS tracker can massively increase the chances of your car being recovered quickly and undamaged.
2
Act fast: The faster you report a stolen car, the better the odds of getting it back.
What to do if you think your car has been stolen.
In the unfortunate event that your car is not where you left it and you suspect it has been stolen, it’s important that you contact the police and your insurance company immediately.
Step One: Call your local police station by dialling 101 and ask to be put through to your local police. Make sure you have your vehicle’s registration number, make and model and colour. You’ll get a crime reference number which you'll need when you call your insurance company.
Step Two: Call your vehicle insurance company. Your insurance company can tell you how to make an insurance claim on the stolen vehicle.
Step Three: Tell the DVLA if/when your insurance company pays out. If your insurance company pays out a claim for your stolen vehicle, you must tell DVLA it’s been sold to the insurance company.
Final Thoughts
The unfortunate truth is that car theft isn’t going away any time soon. Whether you drive a top 10 target like the Ford Fiesta or a newer model, staying vigilant is essential. Thieves are evolving, but so are your tools to stop them.
By layering your defences, staying up to date on theft trends, and taking a proactive approach to security, you give your car the best chance of staying where it belongs — with you.