Most stolen cars revealed in new DVLA data

The number of cars stolen in the UK reduced by 6% year-on-year in 2024, including a 47% drop in thefts of Range Rover Sports. 

The figures, obtained from the DVLA via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, show that there were 61,343 vehicles reported stolen.

This was still the third highest figure in the past decade and more than twice the number of vehicles stolen in the whole of 2015. 

The annual figure equates to 168 cars being stolen every day, seven cars stolen every hour, or one stolen every 8.5 minutes. 

The Ford Fiesta was the UK’s most stolen car in 2024, according to the DVLA data analysed by What Car?, with 4,446 examples stolen. 

It was followed by the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus, with the BMW 3 Series in fourth.

There has been a decrease in the number of thefts for eight of the models in the top 10. 

The number of Range Rover Sports stolen last year was down 47% on the previous year, while the number of Range Rover Evoques was down by 27%. 

The Toyota RAV4, however, makes an appearance in the top 10 for the first time, along with the Nissan Juke. 

Other SUVs that were stolen in greater numbers in 2024 include the Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage and Lexus RX. 

Interestingly, high-performance vehicles were less popular with thieves, with just three Ferraris, seven Lamborghinis and 64 Bentleys stolen in 2024 – a significant drop from the 43 Ferraris, 14 Lamborghinis and 126 Bentleys in 2023. 

Most stolen cars 2024

What Car? consumer editor, Claire Evans, said: “With annual car theft figures continuing to be very high, car owners need to do all they can to keep their cars safe. 

“Even simple measures like parking your car in a well-lit area or somewhere with cameras, or fitting a steering lock, will act as a deterrent and make your car less appealing to opportunist thieves.”