Are thieves concentrating on YOUR automotive? Britain’s most stolen automobiles revealed with a car pinched each 10 minutes final yr
Is this finally a sign that Britain’s car theft epidemic has taken a turn for the better?
According to the DVLA, the number of vehicles reported stolen last year fell by 11 per cent compared to 2024. However, one motor is still being pinched every 10 minutes across the country, the data shows.
A total of 54,830 vehicles were reported stolen by owners in 2025, down from 61,343 a year earlier, the agency said.
But while the statistics might ease some fears among motorists around the security of their cars, victims of motor crime have almost doubled in a decade.
Last year’s annual vehicle theft figure equates to 150 cars being stolen every day – or six being nicked per hour up and down Britain.
Analysis of the data by What Car? has revealed which models are being targeted most in terms of absolute theft rates, with the Ford Fiesta once again top of the stolen charts.
Scroll down to see the full list of the 10 most stolen cars and which specific model generations are being targeted to find out if yours is in the firing line…
According to the DVLA, the number of vehicles reported stolen last year fell by 11% compared to 2024 – though a motor was still being pinched every 10 minutes across the country. We reveal which models and versions are being targeted by criminals…
With some 1.4 million Fiestas registered on Britain’s roads – more than any other model – it’s little surprise to see it at the peak of the table.
With 3,511 taken from their rightful owners, Fiesta thefts are more than twice as likely as the second and third most pinched models, the VW Golf (1,625 thefts reported) and Ford Focus (1,474).
That said, Fiesta thefts were down 21 per cent on last year – a figure that should help temper concerns of owners of Britain’s most common motor.
The decline, though, is likely linked to the fact that Ford wound-up production of the popular supermini in summer 2023, meaning few new examples have been registered in the last year and a half.
However, with production terminated and millions of Fiestas still being used by drivers, demand for spare parts remains incredibly high, which could keep the evergreen small car remain towards the top end of the theft charts for years to come.
Ford’s Fiesta – Britain’s most common car – is again the most stolen. In 2025, 3,511 were pinched, which is 21% fewer than the year previous. Owners of the Mk6 version pictured (sold between 2008 and 2017) need to be particularly aware of the threat they’re under, What Car? analysis has revealed
Elsewhere, there were some positive results for other cars that have appeared in the top 10 most stolen models list in 2024 and previous years.
Take the Mercedes C-Class, for instance.
While 1,123 owners reporting their luxury German motors stolen in 2024 – making it the sixth most-pinched model of all that year – the number of cars taken last year dropped to 826, which represents a decline of 26 per cent.
Unlike the Fiesta, the C-Class remains in production and one of Mercedes-Benz’s most popular cars.
So too is the Range Rover Sport, which recorded a 20 per cent decline in thefts after parent company Jaguar Land Rover spent around £15million upgrading the security systems of older cars.
JLR’s unprecedented move to retrofit older cars – for free – with its latest technology came after a vicious spell of thefts at the hands of organised criminal gangs who targeted the company’s luxury SUV models.
Many in nicked examples in the last five years or so have been bundled into containers and shipped overseas to Africa and other parts of the world where demand is high due to their statement appeal.
Stolen luxury cars are typically taken to ports and stacked in the containers, sometimes one on top of another to maximise space
Toyota thefts on the rise
Unfortunately for owners of Toyota and Lexus cars, the DVLA’s theft records present a bleaker picture.
Toyota moved up to third in the list of the most stolen car brands with 4,518 models pinched last year. Only Ford (7,677) and BMW (5,489) owners fell victim to car crime more frequently.
The Toyota RAV4 SUV was the fourth most stolen car last year, with 1,319 pinched – a year-on-year increase of 5 per cent,
The C-HR hybrid crossover appears seventh in the list too with 967 thefts. In 2024, it wasn’t even among the top 20 most stolen.
The Daily Mail last year witnessed a police operation to clamp down criminal gangs using shipping containers to whisk nicked cars out of the country by sea using containers. This image shows a Lexus stored in one of them
Do you own one of the 10 most stolen cars – and are you concerned about its security?
And there is yet new evidence that Lexus – the luxury spin-off brand of Toyota that has been identified as the most targeted brand in Britain – continues to rank high on the shopping lists of criminals.
The NX SUV was the eighth most-stolen car in Britain last year with 951 nicked by thieves.
For both the C-HR and NX, these theft volumes are disproportionately high, given their relative rarity compared to common models like the Fiesta, Golf and Focus.
When Daily Mail and This is Money contacted Toyota Great Britain last year regarding a rise in cases of its cars being targeted by thieves, a spokesperson for the company told us: ‘For the past few years, there has been an industry-wide issue of vehicle theft in the UK, affecting the most popular models first.
‘Toyota GB has invested millions of pounds in a variety of solutions that help protect cars from theft. These include protective plates, immobilisers, blockers and trackers.
‘As a vehicle manufacturer, we can never completely eliminate the risk of vehicle theft and, in order to further reduce the theft risk, we regularly collaborate and share information with insurance associations, police and law enforcement authorities, theft prevention experts and other key stakeholders around the world. This enables us to understand new threats and techniques used by thieves and develop more secured systems.
‘When it comes to recovery of stolen vehicles, we conducted a trial last year [2024], in conjunction with vehicle security experts, Tracker.
‘At a cost of more than £10million to Toyota, selected customers were provided with a free tracking service.
‘Unfortunately, some of those customers were targeted by criminals and their cars were stolen. As a result of the installation of tracking devices, though, a 96 per cent recovery rate was achieved.
‘We are rolling out Tracker installation as an option for buyers of certain models to help add a level of customer reassurance.
‘Our anti-theft measures form part of a nationwide customer care offering. Owners can contact their local dealer to establish whether or not their model would benefit from additional security devices and to discuss options and fitment.’
What Car? also raised the alarm bell for owners of popular small motors like the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Corsa, both of which have broken into the top 10 most stolen ranks in the last 12 months.
At the opposite end of the price spectrum, the DVLA records suggest exotic and high-performance vehicles are significantly less popular among thieves.
Only 17 Ferraris, 18 Lamborghinis, 22 Rolls-Royces and 80 Bentleys were stolen last year, the official records show.
This is not simply due to their exclusivity.
Most will be securely parked in private gated or locked premises, and clued-up criminal gangs are also acutely aware that owners of these prestigious cars go to enormous financial lengths to install anti-theft equipment and trackers, thus making them far less appealing to thieves.
Keyless tech behind rising car thefts in the last decade
Historical DVLA record show that motor theft has risen by 83 per cent between 2015 and 2025.
While the number of cars reported stolen grew from 29,999 in 2015 to 58,722 in 2019, a slowdown was record during the pandemic-stricken years of 2020 and 2021.
However, theft rates have surged since, jumping from 49,272 in 2021 to 61,856 in 2022 – a 25 per cent annual increase.
Motoring organisations, security experts and police forces have all pointed to keyless car technology for driving the rise in vehicle theft in recent years, with organised gangs using a raft of new theft techniques – including the ‘relay attack’ – to breach the electronic systems behind the technology.
By doing so, they are able to steal cars in a matter of seconds without ever needing access to the owner, their home or even their motor’s keys.
Vehicle thefts peaked in 2023 at 65,207 motors being taken from rightful owners.
A report published last year by the UK insurance industry’s Thatcham Research stated that almost two in five (38.5%) of all pinched motors from Britain are transported to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. The United Arab Emirates (20.1%) is the second most destination, followed by Cyprus (6.7%), Jamaica (5.7%) and Georgia (5.1%)
While large proportions of stolen cars are hidden away in illegal ‘chop shops’ where they are broken down in spare parts to be sold to unsuspecting drivers, high-end luxury motors and robust 4X4s are typically sourced to be shipped overseas.
A report published last year by the UK insurance industry’s Thatcham Research stated that almost two in five (38.5 per cent) of all pinched motors from Britain are transported to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa.
Other top destinations listed in the report included the UAE, Cyprus, Jamaica and Georgia, driven by global shortages of car parts, high vehicle desirability and ‘geopolitical disruption’.
Commenting on last year’s car theft figures, What Car? consumer editor Claire Evans – who secured the information from the DVLA with a freedom of information request – said: ‘Annual car theft figures continue to be very high, so owners need to do all they can to keep them safe.
‘Our data shows that small, inexpensive models such as the Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Corsa are under threat, so it’s vital to take measures to protect all cars.
‘Simple measures, like using a steering lock or keeping your car keys in a Faraday pouch, will lessen the chances of it being stolen.’
10 MOST STOLEN CARS – WHICH VERSION IS TARGETED?
1. Ford Fiesta – 3,511 stolen (down 21%)
Most targeted generation: 6th generation (2008-2017)
According to What Car?’s analysis, the majority of stolen Fiestas are the Mk6 generation – produced between 2008-2017. Of the 3,511 Fiesta pinched, 3,017 were this version
Given there’s more Fiestas on UK roads than any other model there is little shock to see it once again top the stolen cars charts with 3,511 owners telling the DVLA theirs had gone missing last year.
But it isn’t the seventh – and final – generation of the Fiesta that thieves are taking.
According to What Car?’s analysis, the majority of stolen Fiestas are the Mk6 generation – produced between 2008 and 2017. Of the 3,511 Fiesta pinched, 3,017 were this version.
It means the Mk6 accounts for 86 per cent of all Fiesta thefts, so beware if you have this car, which appears to be the one most ripe for being broken down into spares.
2. Volkswagen Golf – 1,625 stolen (down 6%)
Most targeted generation: 7th generation (2013-2019)
The VW Golf is Britain’s second most stolen car. A total of 1,625 were taken from their owners last year – and it is the Mk7 variant (pictured) that’s getting pinched most
Like the Fiesta, the Golf is an evergreen model that dominates our street. With that in mind, 1,625 being reported stolen to the authorities isn’t a surprise. However, theft volumes are down 6 per cent on 2024, the DVLA’s records show.
The most targeted VW Golf was the seventh-generation example sold between 2013 and 2019.
With 810 reported thefts, the Mk7 represents half of all Golfs pinched in the previous calendar year.
3. Ford Focus – 1,474 stolen (down 13%)
Most targeted generation: 3rd generation (2011-2018)
Some 1,474 Ford Focus models were stolen last year, down 13% on 2024 theft records. The third-generation Focus (2011-2018) pictured is the version stolen in greatest volumes, DVLA data shows
A total of 1,373 Ford Focus cars were taken from their rightful keepers, which is 226 fewer than the year previous – a decline of 13 per cent.
With the final Focus officially coming off the German assembly line in November, like the Fiesta it could also become increasingly targeted to be broken down for in-demand spare parts.
The third generation, 2011 to 2018, car is the one that’s taken most, representing 56 per cent of all Focus thefts over the previous 12 months.
4. Toyota RAV4 – 1,348 stolen (up 7%)
Most targeted generation: 5th generation (2019-2025)
The Toyota RAV4 was Britain’s fourth most stolen car in 2025 with 1,348 pinched. More than nine in ten RAV4s taken last year were the previous generation car (pictured) sold from 2019 until last year
Shooting up the charts into third spot in the 2025 car theft list is the Toyota RAV4. Like the previously mentioned motors, it’s been around for decades, first launching in 1994. That means there are plenty in the UK to be sought out by criminals.
Theft rates have grown 7 per cent year-on-year, rising from 1,260 in 2024.
Unlike the models above, it’s the most recent version that seems to be the one organised gangs are going after.
Incredibly, 1,275 of the 1,348 total RAV4s nicked last year – accounting for 95 per cent – were the last generation, which went on sale in 2019 and is being replaced by the Mk6 version in 2026.
5. BMW 3 Series – 1,319 stolen (down 4%)
Most targeted generation: 6th generation (2013-2018)
When it comes to pinching BMW 3 Series cars, thieves are not as picky as they are with other models. There’s a relatively equal spread of thefts across three generations accounting to the 1,319 taken in 2024, though it is the 2013-2018 model (pictured) taken most
Having been on sale since the seventies and a model that’s been incredibly popular in the UK for decades, it is not all that alarming to see the BMW 3 Series so high on this list.
The 1,319 stolen in 2025 includes the conventional saloon but also coupe, convertible, ‘Touring’ estate and sporty M3 variants. Some 52 fewer examples were pinched last year compared to 2024, data shows.
Thieves appear less picky about which generation they want to steal. The previous-gen (sold from 2013 to 2018) is taken in biggest numbers (550) representing 42 per cent of all 3 Series thefts, though the earlier model from 2006 to 2012 (23 per cent) and the current version (22 per cent) are also frequently targeted.
6. Nissan Juke – 1,200 stolen ( up 17%)
Most targeted generation: 1st generation (2010-2019)
Nissan’s Juke is the nation’s sixth-most pinched car, according to 2025 data. And its older models that are most vulnerable, with DVLA records showing 88% that were stolen in the last calendar year were the original version built between 2010-2019 (pictured)
Nissan’s Juke appears to be an increasingly targeted model with theft rates increasing 17 per cent from 1,027 pinched in 2024 to 1,200 last year. Remember, this is against a backdrop of generally declining reported thefts.
Given the small crossover has accounted for three in ten Nissan sales over the last decade, it is a model that’s not difficult for criminals to target if they want one.
And it’s the first-generation Juke – sold between 2010 and 2019 – that is proving extremely popular with thieves. Of all Jukes stolen last year, 88 per cent (1,055) were the original.
7. Toyota C-HR – 967 stolen (up 30%)
Most targeted generation: 1st generation (2016-2023)
There has been a 30% year-on-year increase in thefts of Toyota C-HRs, which will be alarming news to the ears of owners. The first generation cars produced from 2016-2023 (pictured) is targeted most
With the RAV4 moving up to fourth in the list of most stolen cars in 2025, Toyota will be concerned to see that the smaller C-HR hybrid crossover now joins it among the infamous top 10 of most pinched motors.
Given the C-HR wasn’t even in the top 20 order in 2024, the DVLA records suggest it is very much in the eye line of criminal gangs right now.
With 967 taken last year, thefts are up an alarming 30 per cent from the 745 stolen in 2024. With the second-generation version only going on sale in 2024, it’s little surprise to see it’s the first-gen model representing almost all (97 per cent) of C-HR thefts.
8. Lexus NX – 951 stolen (up 40%)
Most targeted generation: 2nd generation (2021-present)
Of the top 10 most stolen cars, the Lexus NX has seen the biggest increase in theft rates of 40%. Thieves are not specifically targeting the first or second-gen model, stealing the two in almost equal measure
Of all the biggest risers in terms of theft rates, the Lexus NX has posted one of the biggest increases of all.
With 951 stolen last year, this is up a whopping 40 per cent of the 383 taken from owners in 2024.
With there being only two generations of the compact luxury SUV and the current model only going on sale in 2021, there is almost an equal spread of thefts across the two versions, with the existing model just tipping the scale as the most targeted at 50.4 per cent).
9. Range Rover Evoque – 895 (down 18%)
Most targeted generation: 1st generation (2011-2019)
JLR’s huge £15m investment to prevent thefts of its desirable luxury SUVs appears to be working. The Range Rover Evoque was the manufacturer’s most pinched model, and it’s older versions dating back to 2011 (pictured) – and many therefore not eligible for a free security update – that were taken in highest volumes last year
Land Rover models have been the apple of organised criminal gangs’ eyes in recent years.
Huge demand for the luxury SUVs in overseas markets along with seemingly penetrable security systems using new hi-tech tactics had seen some Range Rovers become uninsurable in Britain as a result of increasing thefts.
To tackle the issue, the British brand – now owned by Indian giant Tata – has invested an unprecedented £15million to update the software in its latest cars as well as existing models dating back to 2018. It has even spent over £1million funding police stings at ports where many pinched motors are destined to be loaded into containers and shipped to other countries.
And it appears its efforts are being rewarded, with Evoque thefts down 18 per cent year-on-year, having fallen 27 per cent a year earlier.
Thefts have slipped from 1,087 reported cases in 2024 to 895 instances in 2025.
It is the first-generation Evoques that account for most thefts (84 per cent). Given it was sold between 2011 and 2019, many of these cars will not have qualified for JLR’s free security upgrade, potentially making them easier targets for organised criminal gangs.
10. Vauxhall Corsa – 874 stolen (up 1%)
Most targeted generation: 3rd generation (Corsa D)(2006-2014)
Despite being one of the most common cars on our roads – only Ford’s Fiesta and Focus are registered in the UK in larger volumes – the Corsa isn’t as popular among thieves. Reported cases of pinched Vauxhall superminis rose less than 1% year-on-year and it’s the 2006-2014 generation (pictured) that’s most-commonly taken
It appears Vauxhall’s volume-selling small car is not as desirable to thieves as the Corsa’s biggest rival, the Fiesta.
Despite going on sale in the early nineties and there being over a million of them on our streets today, the 874 reported stolen is a mere fraction of the cars available to petty criminals and organised gangs. Thefts in 2025 were up, though only by 0.5 per cent on the year previous. However, against a backdrop of declining thefts, this should concerns owners.
Particularly those with the third-generation Corsa D, which were nicked most commonly. Some 344 of the thefts were of this variant, which accounts for two in five (39 per cent) of all Corsas stolen in Britain last term.
This is Money’s 13 top tips to fend-off car thieves using the latest hi-tech tactics
This is Money has spoken to a number of experts across the field of vehicle security to create a list of 13 tips all car owners should follow to best protect their motors.
We’ve enlisted the help of Thatcham Research, AA President Edmund King and vehicle crime consultant Dr Ken German – previously head of technology at the Met stolen car squad with a PhD in International Vehicle Crime – to compile the ultimate list of car security tips:
1. Make sure your car is locked in the first place
This may seem obvious, but a large proportion of thefts are a result of the vehicle being left unlocked or criminals using signal jammers that block your key fob from communicating with the car’s locks.
Drivers should always check the vehicle is locked and the windows are up after using a key fob. Listen for the locking noise and watch for the lights to flash and – if your car has them – automatic wing mirrors to fold.
2. Don’t leave your car engine running to defrost windows
Freezing temperatures can tempt drivers into starting the car’s engine to deice or defrost the windows, then returning to the warmth indoors until the windscreen is clear.
It might sound obvious but by leaving a vehicle unattended is a huge security risk, even if it’s on your own private driveway. In fact, it is illegal to do this, and your insurer is unlikely pay out for any loss if your car is stolen as a result of this.
Thieves will be checking for stationary cars emitting exhaust smoke or that have wing mirrors that normally are folded in when locked but are clearly not.
3. Keep valuables out of sight
‘Out of sight, out of mind’. Remove all valuables from your vehicle to make it less of a target to opportunistic thieves.
4. Do you have an alarm and immobiliser?
Ensure your vehicle has a Thatcham-certified alarm, immobiliser and tracking system fitted. Some insurance policies require the fitment of a tracking device, so it’s important any associated subscriptions to monitoring services are maintained.
5. Mechanical security systems – like a steering lock – might seem ‘old hat’ but are a great deterrent
Steering wheel locks, gear clamps, wheel clamps and other traditional security systems can act as a strong visual deterrent against thieves.
6. Install a doorbell camera or CCTV at your home
Doorbell cameras and CCTV systems are becoming increasingly popular as both a deterrent for car crime and to catch thieves.
Make sure you invest in one that has a night vision mode and crisp HD resolution.
Motion-sensing driveway lighting can also be a strong deterrent.
7. If you have a garage, use it!
If you have a garage, try to make sure there is enough room for your car to fit into it, rather than using it for storage for all types of household clutter.
If you have multiple vehicles, almost prioritise the garage for the one of highest value – and park another car in front of the garage door as an extra precaution.
And if you have electric garage doors, do not keep the transponder inside the vehicle, such as in the glovebox. Victims have subsequently found this to be the reason for their property being burgled.
8. Think about where and how you park overnight
Most car thefts take place under the cloak of darkness, so this is the most important time to consider how secure your vehicle is.
If you don’t have a garage but do have a driveway, always park tactically.
For instance, if you have a big driveway, park the car sideways to so any thief will need to manoeuvre it. If your driveway is smaller, park facing your house to increase the chances of you being alerted to the lights coming on. And park with the wheels turned on full lock to extend the time it takes for criminals to make a getaway. Even consider parking another less desirable car in front (or behind) your vehicle to prevent easy removal.
Those with driveways can also purchase lockable barriers to restrict access – and experts advise that a car cover is often a deterrent due to the time it takes to remove one and will look suspicious to neighbours and passersby.
If you do not have off-street parking, try to leave your car in a well-lit area – ideally with CCTV monitoring – and in a position that makes it difficult for a thief to move quickly.
Ken German tells us that some motorists are being extra inventive in their bid to protect their cars. Some previous victims are leaving mannequins in the driver’s seat to dissuade unwanted visitors.
9. Check repair centre and bodyshop accreditation to avoid key cloning
If you need to leave your key with a garage or bodyshop, you should check that they are a member of an accredited code of practice/professional standard such as The Motor Ombudsman or The British Parking Association’s Park Mark scheme.
This should reduce your chances of falling victim of key cloning.
Also, if you have purchased your vehicle second-hand with only one working key, visit an approved repair centre to have the missing key(s) deleted and add a spare as soon as possible.
10. Consider a dashcam or a car with theft alerts
Dashcams have grown in popularity in recent years, with motorists primarily using them to prove they were not at fault in a crash.
They also act as a great theft deterrent. This is because many of these devices will also record suspicious activity around your car is parked up and you’re not in it.
However, make sure you buy one that uploads videos to cloud storage rather than saving it only a memory stick in the dash cam – because you will also lose this if your car is stolen.
Some modern vehicles now offer ‘parking mode’, which also can also detect and record movement when parked. This can be used as supporting evidence by your insurer and the police.
Many of these alerts will be powered via a smartphone app, so ensure you’ve activated the feature and turned on notifications.
11. Always wipe stored info from a car before you sell it
Some vehicle apps and connected systems can provide the previous owner with access.
If permissions remain active, ensure that all permissions and data linked to the previous owner are wiped.
12. ‘Locust’ thieves might strike twice
A new wave of ‘locust thieves’ exist today who strip cars whilst they’re parked at the side of the road and even outside owners’ homes.
Many people have woken up to find wheels, bonnets and grills and even doors missing from their cars rendering them undriveable. This is because these parts are becoming more valuable since the pandemic with factory closures and slowdowns meaning some components are not as readily available from manufacturers as pre-Covid.
For instance, a Porsche headlight can be worth up to £1,000 today, which has driven a rise in these parts being stolen. Wing mirrors for top of the range vehicles are also easy-to-steal high-value components.
Ken German warns that falling victim to locust thieves might not be the end of the story. He says owners who have had parts pinched from their car should check around and under the vehicle to ensure thieves have not fitted a tracking device so they can track when the motor is not being used and return at a later date to attempt to steal it.
13. Be aware of scam crash tactics deployed to steal cars
While carjacking still exists today, it is not as prevalent in the UK as it is in some other countries, such as South Africa.
That said, if you are in a high value vehicle you would be wise to drive with the doors locked in traffic.
Also drive defensively when in a queue leaving enough space in front for you to get out of a tight spot should you need to.
If your vehicle is bumped from behind, wait to pull over and find somewhere safe where there are people. If you’re suspicious don’t unlock the door and call the police.
CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST
