Some 61,343 cars were reported as stolen last year, which equates to one pinched every eight-and-a-half minutes, official figures have confirmed – and we can tell you if yours is among the models most at threat.
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) statistics released following Freedom of Information requests have shown that Britain’s motor-theft epidemic remains rife despite a year-on-year decline in stolen vehicles.
On average, 168 cars were pilfered per day by criminals – that’s seven every hour.
While 2024’s vehicle-theft numbers are down 6 per cent on the 64,087 recorded over the year previous, it’s still the third-highest annual theft figure seen in the last decade – and more than double the volume in 2015 – as criminals use a variety of advanced tactics to infiltrate modern cars.
Unsurprisingly, the Ford Fiesta – Britain’s most-owned motor – is the one that’s most commonly stolen, with almost 4,500 examples taken from rightful keepers last year.
DVLA data provided on request to What Car? and insurer Tempcover – and shared exclusively with This is Money – lists the 20 models targeted by thieves in the highest volumes throughout 2024. We count them down in this article.
Granular analysis of the stats exposes which generations are most at risk so you can see if your car is one of the most vulnerable.
The figures also reveal how many vehicles from each of the best-selling brands were unlawfully taken by criminals last year.
THE 20 MOST STOLEN CARS OF 2024
1. Ford Fiesta – 4,446 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk6 sold between 2008-2017
Ford’s Fiesta – Britain’s most common car – is again the most stolen. In 2024, some 4,446 were pinched, which is 26 per cent 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
Given there’s more Fiestas on UK roads than any other model – believed to be around 1.5 million examples currently – there is little shock to see it once again top the stolen cars charts with 4,446 owners telling the DVLA theirs had gone missing last year.
However, putting the theft numbers into perspective, the volume of Ford superminis pinched is around two and a half times that of the second most-stolen model.
That said, Fiesta thefts are down a quarter (26 per cent) year-on-year, falling from 5,976 in 2023.
Experts had previously told This is Money that the Fiesta could become an increasing target for criminal rings after Ford ceased production in summer 2023 triggering demand for spare parts from existing models on the road.
According to What Car?’s analysis, the majority of stolen Fiestas are the Mk6 generation – produced between 2008 and 2017 – which accounted for 89 per cent of Fiesta all thefts last year.
2. Volkswagen Golf – 1,731 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk7 sold between 2013-2019
The VW Golf has moved up to second in the UK car theft rankings despite a 15 per cent decline in reported stolen. A total of 1,731 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, 1,731 being reported stolen to the authorities isn’t a surprise.
However, theft volumes are down 15 per cent on 2023, the DVLA’s records show. Despite this, the Golf moved up one place in the rankings to second overall on the motor theft league table.
The most targeted VW Golf was the seventh-generation example sold between 2013 and 2019, accounting for 53 per cent of all Golfs taken in 2024.
3. Ford Focus – 1,700 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk3 sold between 2011-2018
The Ford Focus has dropped one place in the order of most stolen cars from 2023 to 2024, with 1,700 taken last year (down 20 per cent). The third-generation Focus (2011-2018) pictured is the version stolen in greatest volumes, DVLA data shows
The Ford Focus dropped below the Golf in the charts of most stolen cars as a fifth fewer owners reported their cars missing compared to 2023.
A total of 1,700 were taken from their rightful keepers, which is 420 less than the year previous.
With Ford set to kill off the Focus later this year so it can make way for a new electric replacement, 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 57 per cent of all Focus thefts over the previous 12 months.
4. BMW 3 Series – 1,371 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk6 sold between 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 1,243 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 1,371 stolen in 2024 includes the conventional saloon but also coupe, convertible, ‘Touring’ estate and sporty M3 variants. It’s enough to jump three places in the order from the year previous, despite 7 per cent fewer reported missing to the DVLA.
Thieves appear less picky about which generation they want to steal. The previous-gen (sold from 2013 to 2018) is taken in biggest numbers (516) representing 41 per cent of all 3 Series thefts, though the earlier model from 2006 to 2012 (29 per cent) and the current version (22 per cent) are also targeted often.
5. Toyota RAV4 – 1,260 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk5 sold between 2019-present
The Toyota RAV4 was Britain’s fourth most stolen car in 2024 with 1,260 pinched. More than nine in ten RAV4s taken last year were the current generation car (pictured) sold from 2019 onwards
Shooting up the charts into fourth in 2024 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.
However, unlike the models above, it is the latest version that seems to be the one organised gangs are going after.
Incredibly, 1,168 of the 1,260 total RAV4s nicked last year – accounting for 93 per cent – were the current generation, which has been on sale since 2019.
6. Mercedes-Benz C-Class – 1,123 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk4 sold between 2015-2020
The Mercedes-Class was again high on the shopping list of criminals pinching motors, with 1,123 stolen last year. That’s 37 per cent fewer than in 2023, DVLA records suggest. The previous-gen car (pictured) is the one targeted most
As with the BMW 3 Series, the 1,123 stolen Mercedes C-Class covers all body types, including saloons, cabriolets, coupes, estates and hot AMG variants, which somewhat inflates the total volume.
That said, thefts of C-Class models in Britain are down by more than a third (37 per cent) year-on-year when comparing to the DVLA’s figures for last year and 2023.
It’s the previous-generation Merc that gangs are really wanting – those sold from 2015 to 2020 – account for more than three in five taken.
7. Range Rover Evoque – 1,087 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk1 sold between 2011-2019
JLR’s huge £16million 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 £16million in the last 12 months or so 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 27 per cent year-on-year, dropping to 1,087 reported cases in 2024.
It is the first-generation Evoques (sold from 2011 to 2019) that account for most thefts – 80 per cent) – so many of them not qualifying for the free security upgrade offered on models up to seven years old.
8. Nissan Juke – 1,027 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk1 sold between 2010-2019
Nissan’s Juke, which is built in Sunderland, is the nation’s eighth-most pinched car, according to 2024 data. And its older models that are most vulnerable, with DVLA records showing 92 per cent stolen are the first-generation cars sold from 2010 to 2019 (pictured)
Nissan’s Juke makes the list of top 10 most stolen cars in a year for the first time on record. 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 the 1,027 examples of the Nissan reported stolen by owners last year, 949 (92 per cent) were the older variant.
9. Vauxhall Corsa – 870 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk2 (Corsa D) sold between 2007-2014
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 were down 22 per cent year-on-year and it’s the 2007-2014 generation 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 870 reported stolen is a mere fraction of the cars available to petty criminals and organised gangs. Thefts in 2024 were down 22 per cent on the year previous, too.
It’s older, third-generation, examples that are nicked most commonly. Some 475 of the thefts were of 2007 to 2014 cars, which accounts for 55 per cent in total. Two fifths of stolen Corsas are across the two generations since.
10. Range Rover Sport – 867 stolen
Most targeted generation: Mk2 sold between 2014-2022
Yet more proof that JLR’s security efforts are working is the 47 per cent decline in thefts of Range Rover Sports in 2024 compared to 2023. Just 5 per cent of the 879 nicked last year were the latest generation
Of the 867 Range Rover Sports pinched in the previous 12 months, just 45 (5 per cent) were current…
Read More: Most stolen cars of 2024 REVEALED: A motor was pinched every 8 and a half minutes – is