DVLA car theft statistics 2026: the most stolen cars in the UK
LockCAR is a UK vehicle security maker, and we follow the theft figures closely. The latest DVLA figures, released in 2026, cover 2025: 54,830 cars were reported stolen, 11% fewer than in 2024. Here are the models and makes thieves took most, what changed, and what owners of those cars can do.
- 54,830 cars stolen in 2025
- About 150 a day
- 11% fewer than 2024
The headline numbers
Two analyses of DVLA data count slightly different things, so both are shown.
- 54,830 cars stolen in 2025
- DVLA figures obtained by What Car? under Freedom of Information, down from 61,343 in 2024. That is about 150 cars a day.
- Still more than double 2015
- The fall is welcome, but thefts remain more than twice the 2015 level, according to Fleet News’ report of the same figures.
- 90,625 vehicles of all types
- QuestGates’ analysis of DVLA lost and stolen data, which also counts vans and other vehicles, found 90,625 in 2025, down 11.4% from 102,240.
- Fewer than half recovered
- QuestGates found that 44.9% of stolen cars were recovered in 2025, up from 42.5% in 2024.
The 10 most stolen car models in 2025
Ranked by the number of cars reported stolen.
| Rank | Model | Cars stolen |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Fiesta | 3,511 |
| 2 | Volkswagen Golf | 1,625 |
| 3 | Ford Focus | 1,474 |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 | 1,319 |
| 5 | BMW 3 Series | 1,249 |
| 6 | Nissan Juke | 1,200 |
| 7 | Toyota C-HR | 967 |
| 8 | Lexus NX | 951 |
| 9 | Range Rover Evoque | 895 |
| 10 | Vauxhall Corsa | 874 |
Two groups stand out. Common older cars such as the Fiesta, Focus and Corsa are taken for parts and for crime. Keyless SUVs such as the RAV4, C-HR, NX and Evoque are taken quickly and quietly. Further down the top 20 are the Discovery Sport, Mercedes C-Class, Range Rover Sport, Audi A3 and Toyota Prius.
The 10 most stolen car makes in 2025
Ford, BMW and Toyota were the top three.
| Rank | Make | Cars stolen |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford | 7,677 |
| 2 | BMW | 5,489 |
| 3 | Toyota | 4,518 |
| 4 | Mercedes | 3,992 |
| 5 | Land Rover | 3,690 |
| 6 | Audi | 3,650 |
| 7 | Volkswagen | 3,426 |
| 8 | Vauxhall | 2,764 |
| 9 | Nissan | 2,611 |
| 10 | Lexus | 2,031 |
What changed since 2024
- Most top models fellSeven of the 10 most stolen models had fewer thefts than in 2024.
- Big drops for someFord Fiesta thefts fell 21%, Range Rover Sport 20% and the Mercedes C-Class 26%.
- Land Rover down sharplyQuestGates found almost 30% fewer Land Rover thefts than in 2024, which took the make out of the top three.
- Keyless SUVs remain a targetThe RAV4, C-HR, NX and Evoque are all in the top 10.
What owners of at-risk cars can do
The cars on these lists are not doomed. Layers make them a poor target.
Stop the engine starting
A hidden immobiliser keeps the engine blocked until it gets its own TAG, ring, watch or PIN, so a relayed or newly programmed key is not enough.
Add tracking for valuable cars
A 4G GPS system covers the case an immobiliser cannot: a car lifted onto a truck.
Make it harder to approach
Keep keys in a signal-blocking pouch away from the door, check the car locked, and use a garage or a visible steering lock.
LockCAR immobilisers start at £139 as a kit, £249 fitted with a TAG and £299 with a PIN. The One Plus 4G, with GPS, a dashcam and an immobiliser, costs £499 fitted. Check your car with the Vehicle CHECK.
Guides for the most stolen makes
BMW and Mercedes
How the 3 Series, 1 Series, C-Class and other models are taken and protected.
Questions about UK car theft statistics
How many cars were stolen in the UK in 2025?
DVLA figures obtained by What Car? show 54,830 cars reported stolen in 2025, down 11% from 61,343 in 2024. Counting all vehicle types, QuestGates’ analysis of DVLA data found 90,625.
What is the most stolen car in the UK?
The Ford Fiesta, with 3,511 reported stolen in 2025, followed by the Volkswagen Golf with 1,625 and the Ford Focus with 1,474.
Which car make is stolen most?
Ford, with 7,677 cars stolen in 2025, then BMW with 5,489 and Toyota with 4,518.
Are car thefts going down?
Yes, by 11% between 2024 and 2025 in the DVLA figures, but they are still more than double the 2015 level.
How many stolen cars are recovered?
QuestGates found that 44.9% of stolen cars were recovered in 2025, so more than half were not.
Where do these figures come from?
From the DVLA, which records vehicles reported lost or stolen. What Car? obtained the figures under Freedom of Information, and QuestGates analysed the DVLA data separately.
Written by the LockCAR engineering team. We design and build our immobilisers in the UK and fit them through our approved installers. Meet the engineers. Last updated October 2026.
Sources: What Car?, DVLA figures for 2025 obtained under Freedom of Information; Fleet News, UK’s most stolen cars revealed as vehicle thefts fall; Insurance Business, QuestGates analysis of DVLA data, 12 February 2026.