The latest figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) reveal that 54,830 vehicles were reported stolen across the UK in 2025—equating to one vehicle taken every 10 minutes. Though this represents an 11% decrease from 61,343 stolen vehicles in 2024, car theft continues to challenge law enforcement and vehicle owners alike.
Ford leads the pack as the most targeted brand, with the Ford Fiesta—especially older Mk6 models manufactured between 2008 and 2017—being the most commonly stolen car. Closely following is the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2013-2019), securing its position as the UK’s second-most stolen model.
Geographically, Birmingham has emerged as the second largest car theft hotspot in England, with 3,220 incidents recorded, while East London has been identified as the worst-affected area nationwide. This highlights ongoing regional vulnerabilities in vehicle security.
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Although the 6% decline in motor thefts seen in 2024 offered some relief, the total number of stolen cars that year was still the third-highest in the past decade—more than double the figures from 2015—indicating the persistent nature of the problem.
The top 20 most stolen car brands in the UK are:
- Ford – 7,677
- BMW – 5,489
- Toyota – 4,518
- Mercedes-Benz – 3,992
- Land Rover – 3,690
- Audi – 3,650
- Volkswagen – 3,426
- Vauxhall – 2,764
- Nissan – 2,611
- Lexus – 2,031
- Kia – 2,019
- Hyundai – 1,852
- Peugeot – 1,083
- Jaguar – 1,076
- Renault – 782
- Porsche – 727
- Fiat – 715
- Honda – 681
- Mitsubishi – 630
- Citroen – 607
Meanwhile, the 20 most stolen vehicle models reveal a similar pattern, with the Ford Fiesta topping the list at 3,511 thefts, followed by the Volkswagen Golf (1,625) and Ford Focus (1,474). Other frequently stolen models include the Toyota RAV4, BMW 3 Series, and Nissan Juke.
As car theft statistics continue to fluctuate, these figures underscore the need for increased awareness, improved security measures, and targeted interventions in high-risk areas to help curb vehicle crime across the UK.