The UK’s most stolen cars exposed – don’t let yours be next

While the Ford Fiesta took the unenviable title of most stolen car in 2024, the real story lies beneath the surface: Abarth and Lexus owners are proportionally far more likely to fall victim to car theft than drivers of more common models.

A staggering 4,719 Ford Fiestas were stolen last year. That’s more than twice as many as the next targeted model, the Volkswagen Golf, according to the DVLA. Surprisingly, it wasn’t just the sporty Fiesta STs being lifted: Zetec and Titanium trims also featured heavily in the theft reports.

Across all models, Ford topped the list of most stolen brands, with 9,284 thefts in 2024 – 50% more than second-place BMW. But with over 4.3 million Fords on British roads, the raw figures may simply reflect the brand’s popularity.

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Abarth and Lexus face highest theft risk

Things get more interesting when the data is adjusted proportionally, comparing thefts to the number of each brand’s cars on the road. In this view, Ford drops to 13th place with a 1-in-460 chance of theft.

At the top of the high-risk table is Abarth, the Fiat performance brand, with a 1-in-116 chance of its cars being stolen. Just behind is Lexus, where the luxury RX450 SUV stands out with 717 thefts in 2024 alone. That’s a 1-in-39 chance of being taken.

Even more striking: five of the top 10 most at-risk models are Lexus vehicles, with the ES300 saloon showing the highest individual risk, a worrying 1-in-30 were stolen last year.

You might be surprised to see Abarth and Lexus in these stats, but there are likely reasons behind it.

Abarth cars are rare and high-performance, which means big demand for parts and fewer cars on the market, making them hot targets for stripping or resale.

Meanwhile, Lexus models, especially the RX and ES series, often use keyless entry systems that may be vulnerable to tech-based theft. Plus, their luxury features and parts make them highly valuable to criminals.

You’re in better luck if you own a Tesla or TVR

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Tesla owners can breathe a little easier. Just 33 thefts were reported across all models last year, giving the brand a minuscule 1-in-7,031 chance of theft. Most of those losses involved the Model 3.

But the crown for least stolen car brand goes to TVR, the niche British sports car manufacturer. With only around 11,000 vehicles registered and extremely low theft rates, TVR drivers are statistically the most secure.

Tesla’s are less likely to be stolen thanks to their advanced security features such as encrypted key fobs, continuous software updates, GPS tracking, and immobilisers, making them difficult and risky targets.

Why are some models stolen more than others?

Not all cars are equal in the eyes of thieves. Some models are far more tempting than others, and here’s why:

• Popular cars such as the Ford Fiesta and VW Golf are stolen more often simply because there are so many of them on the road. More cars means more targets.
• Thieves love models they can strip for parts. BMWs, Mercedes, and Range Rovers are favourites because their components fetch good money, especially high-end electronics and catalytic converters.
• Older models or those without modern anti-theft tech (immobilisers, alarms, or tracking systems) are easier to steal. Even some keyless entry systems can be hacked with relay devices.
• Luxury cars or models with strong resale potential, even older ones, are attractive targets. A stolen Range Rover or BMW X5 can be worth thousands in parts or on the black market.
• Newer cars with keyless entry can be vulnerable to relay attacks, where thieves boost your key fob’s signal to unlock and drive off with your car in seconds.

Tips to protect your car from theft

Whether your car is a high-risk model or not, it pays to be vigilant. Here are five tips to reduce your chances of becoming a victim:

1. Think like a thief: Always park in well-lit, busy areas, preferably under CCTV or in secure car parks. Thieves tend to look for easy, low-risk targets.
2. Use physical deterrents: Being old-school can work. Steering wheel locks, pedal clamps, and wheel clamps can be effective, highly visible deterrents.
3. Invest in tracking tech: Modern GPS tracking systems make it easier to recover stolen cars and can even alert you if your car is being moved.
4. Block relay attacks: If you own a keyless car, store your key in a Faraday pouch or RFID blocker cases to block signals that could be used in a relay attack, which is a growing method among tech-savvy car thieves.
5. Install an immobiliser: Aftermarket engine immobilisers or kill switches can add another layer of protection, especially for older cars that lack factory-installed anti-theft systems.

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