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…
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