Just shy of 54,000 cars were stolen in 2024 here in the UK, and data reveals that the Ford Fiesta is still the most stolen car in the UK, having topped the charts for 2023. It’s bad news for other bestselling car owners; the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Nissan Juke and Vauxhall Corsa are all top targets for car thieves.
This list, revealed by a FOI request to the DVLA by Tempcover, a temporary car insurance company, shows that 4,446 Ford Fiestas were stolen in 2024. There’s some positive news for Fiesta owners though, thefts are down 24.6% year-on-year from 2023. The sheer number of Fiestas on the road means it remains a popular target however.
There’s been a decrease in thefts for most the cars on this list, which tracks against an almost 16% drop in overall car thefts, down from 64,087 in 2023. With a whopping 42.7% fall in thefts, the Mercedes-Benz C Class drops from fourth to seventh spot, even with 1,024 cars stolen last year.
The Nissan Juke was the only top 10 car to see a significant jump in thefts, rising a worrying 61.5% year-on-year. There was a small but notable rise for the Toyota RAV4 too, a car that’s in strong demand overseas. As with the more premium cars on this list, the likelihood of having a RAV4 nicked is more likely than the popular picks because there aren’t as many of them about.
The top 10 most stolen cars in the UK
| Rank | Make | Number stolen in 2023 | Number stolen in 2024 | % Increase/ (Decrease) |
| 1 | Ford Fiesta | 5,976 | 4,446 | -25.6 |
| 2 | Volkswagen Golf | 2,038 | 1,727 | -15.3 |
| 3 | Ford Focus | 2,120 | 1,700 | -19.8 |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 | 1,169 | 1,260 | 7.8 |
| 5 | BMW 3 Series | 1,466 | 1,207 | -17.7 |
| 6 | Range Rover Evoque | 1,489 | 1,079 | -27.5 |
| 7 | Nissan Juke | 636 | 1,027 | 61.5 |
| 8 | Mercedes-Benz C Class | 1,786 | 1,024 | -42.7 |
| 9 | Range Rover Sport | 954 | 950 | -0.4 |
| 10 | Vauxhall Corsa | 1,110 | 870 | -21.6 |
Why are these cars so popular with thieves?
Supply chain issues for spare parts, stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine has driven demand for second-hand parts soar, and criminals have capitalised on this. Popular cars always have demand for spare parts, and where manufacturers can’t meet demand there’s a bustling array of chop shops happy to strip down stolen cars for cash. It’s a full cottage industry of villainy.
Increasingly sophisticated car theft techniques have also exposed vulnerabilities in modern cars. Relay attacks against keyless entry systems are a huge concern for modern motorists despite manufacturers fighting back with new measures. These keyless thefts are well-documented and a very quick and non-destructive way of stealing premium cars.
The OBD-II port is also a backdoor into a car, a savvy thief can reprogram the car quickly, bypassing the alarm and immobiliser. Fords in particular, have been reported to have OBD-II vulnerabilities.
What does this mean for you?
Own one of these targeted cars, or simply want to ensure your car doesn’t fall into the wrong hands? There are some high- and low-tech steps you can take to ensure that a car isn’t stolen.
You can fight back, and we’ve produced a guide on how to stop your car getting stolen. Top tips from us would be to secure your garage if you have one, and if you have a keyless car, to use a Faraday pouch to protect your fob at all times. Physical devices like a steering wheel lock are also a highly visible deterrent. The best of the crop can even put up a decent fight against an angle grinder.
Essential if you have keyless entry
Rrp: $16.99
Rrp: $16.99
This goes a step further, including portable Faraday pouches to protect your keys when you're out and about. The two included pouches are also ideal for keeping credit and debit cards safe in public.
Pros
- Attractive finish on the box
- Compact yet spacious design
- Protection at home and away
Cons
- Check you keys fit in the pounch
- There's little design cohesion
Chunky line of defence for your car
Of then all Stoplock is still the best, and the Pro Elite stands as our pick. Designed to fit almost all steering wheels and shipping with a 10-year warranty, it's a sound investment piece. It's made from hardened metal and sports an anti-drill lock for extra protection, so it'll be hard work to remove without the key.
Pros
- Excellent visual deterrent
- Great build quality and ant-drill lock
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Hefty to attach and remove
- Check it fits your steering wheel
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