Car theft in the UK: the most stolen cars and brands in 2025
Car theft continues to be a major problem across the UK, with tens of thousands of vehicles stolen each year. While high-end cars often attract headlines, new analysis shows that everyday models remain the most common targets for thieves.
Based on vehicle theft data obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, we estimate that around 60,900 cars were stolen in the UK in 2025. That’s more than 1,100 thefts every week and a 12.8% rise compared with 2024.
The top 10 most stolen car brands in the UK in 2025
Based on total thefts reported during 2025, the most stolen car brands were:
- Ford - 8,362
- BMW - 6,176
- Toyota - 5,475
- Land Rover - 3,939
- Mercedes-Benz - 3,856
- Nissan - 3,671
- Volkswagen - 3,661
- Audi - 3,615
- Vauxhall - 2,755
- Lexus - 2,017
Ford once again tops the list, reflecting both its popularity on UK roads and the large number of older vehicles still in circulation. BMW and Toyota follow closely behind, reinforcing the relationship between theft volumes and vehicle prevalence rather than brand value alone.
This trend is also reflected in MotorEasy’s GAP insurance theft claims, where Ford, BMW and Mercedes-Benz appear most frequently. Land Rover ranks fourth overall despite being less common on UK roads, highlighting the strong demand for premium SUV parts and continued interest from organised theft groups.
The most stolen car models in 2025
When thefts are analysed by individual model, a clear pattern emerges: the vehicles most at risk tend to be widely owned, easy to resell or dismantle for parts, rather than rare or ultra-luxury cars.
The most stolen car models in the UK during 2025 were:
- Ford Fiesta – 3,511
- Volkswagen Golf – 1,604
- Ford Focus – 1,456
- Toyota RAV4 – 1,328
- Nissan Juke – 1,191
- Land Rover Discovery – 1,160
- BMW 3 Series – 1,131
- Toyota C-HR – 962
- Lexus NX – 946
- Vauxhall Corsa – 880
The Ford Fiesta remains the most stolen car model in the UK, although theft numbers have fallen for the third consecutive year as the total number of Fiestas on the road continues to decline. The Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus retain second and third place respectively, despite year-on-year reductions in theft volumes.
Notably, newer hybrid models such as the Toyota C-HR now feature in the top ten. This reflects changing ownership patterns and the increasing value of modern components and electronic systems, which have become more attractive to organised thieves.
Why are certain cars more attractive to thieves?
Vehicles that frequently appear in theft statistics tend to share one or more of the following characteristics:
- High numbers on the road
- Strong demand for replacement parts
- Keyless entry systems
- Known electronic vulnerabilities
- Higher residual values
- SUV or crossover body styles
- Ability to be cloned or reprogrammed
SUVs and crossovers feature prominently, driven by their popularity and the higher resale value of parts, whether sold domestically or exported.
The real financial cost of car theft
When a stolen car is not recovered, insurers typically declare it a total loss and pay out the vehicle’s current market value. For many drivers, this amount can often fall short of one or more of the following:
- The original purchase price
- The outstanding finance balance on the vehicle
- The cost of replacing the vehicle with a like-for-like model
As a result, car theft can leave drivers financially exposed even after an insurance claim has been settled.
GAP insurance is designed to cover this shortfall by bridging the difference between an insurer’s payout and either the original invoice price or the remaining finance balance. Analysis of MotorEasy claims data shows that 37% of the top 100 GAP insurance claims in 2025 were theft-related, underlining the growing financial impact of vehicle theft.
GAP insurance claims continue to rise
MotorEasy’s 2025 GAP Insurance claims data also shows that the average payout for the top ten GAP insurance claims reached £27,995, up from £23,913 in 2024. This represents an increase of more than £4,000 in just 12 months, or a 17.1% year-on-year rise.
This upward trend reflects a combination of rising vehicle prices, longer finance agreements and the increasing theft of newer, higher-specification models.
Where does car theft occur most often?
Vehicle theft occurs across all regions of the UK, but incidents are disproportionately concentrated in large urban areas where traffic density and on-street parking are highest.
In 2025, the police constabularies reporting the highest number of vehicle thefts were:
- Metropolitan Police Service – 16,907 thefts (around 46 cars per day)
- West Midlands Police – 8,438 thefts
- Greater Manchester Police – 2,898 thefts
Higher theft volumes in urban areas are typically associated with:
- Greater traffic density
- Increased on-street parking
- Higher levels of organised vehicle crime
How many cars are stolen in the UK each year?
The estimate of 60,900 stolen cars in 2025 is based on DVLA data compiled from police constabularies across the UK and relates specifically to passenger vehicles. It includes confirmed car thefts reported by police to the DVLA and excludes motorbikes and commercial van thefts.
While theft levels fluctuate year on year, the data shows that car theft remains persistently high, particularly in large urban centres such as London and Birmingham.
How drivers can reduce the risk of car theft
While no vehicle is completely immune from theft, drivers can reduce their risk by:
- Using visible security devices such as steering wheel locks
- Storing keys in signal-blocking pouches
- Parking in well-lit or secure locations
- Understanding the potential financial impact if their car is stolen
For higher-risk models, combining physical security with appropriate financial protection can help reduce both stress and potential financial loss.
The bottom line
Car theft remains a serious and persistent issue for UK drivers. In 2025 alone, an estimated 60,900 cars were stolen, with mainstream models accounting for the majority of thefts.
Understanding which vehicles are most at risk, why they are targeted, and how theft can affect insurance payouts can help drivers make more informed decisions - both when buying a car and when choosing how best to protect it.
If you would like to discuss whether GAP insurance could help protect you financially in the event of theft, you can arrange a callback with one of our experts today.
