The Ford Fiesta retained its unwanted title as the most stolen car in the UK last year, with a staggering 4,446 thefts reported in 2024.

According to data obtained from the DVLA through a Freedom of Information request, this equates to an average of 12 Fiestas stolen per day.

It comes even though the Fiesta was discontinued by Ford in July 2023.

Top of the pops

The ever-popular hatchback remained the top target for car thieves, with thefts more than double those of the Volkswagen Golf, which ranked second with 1,727 thefts.

The Ford Focus followed closely in third place, with 1,700 stolen over the year.

But while the Fiesta remained the most frequently stolen model, the overall number of vehicle thefts fell by nearly 16% in 2024.

A total of 53,955 vehicles were stolen across the UK, compared to 64,087 in 2023.

Despite this decline, certain models saw a surge in thefts.

The Nissan Juke, for example, experienced a 61.5% increase, rising from 636 thefts in 2023 to 1,027 in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Toyota RAV4 also saw a jump, with 1,260 thefts recorded—an increase of 7.8% from the previous year, making it the most stolen hybrid/electric car in the UK.

While luxury cars are still a lucrative steal, thefts dropped significantly compared to 2023. In 2024, thieves stole:

  • 3 Ferraris (down from 43 in 2023)
  • 7 Lamborghinis (down from 14)
  • 64 Bentleys (down from 126)

The 10 most stolen cars in the UK (2024 vs. 2023)

Rank Make Model Thefts in 2023 Thefts in 2024 % Change
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%

Modern moves

The shift towards hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) has not gone unnoticed by criminals.

Topping the list of stolen hybrid/electric cars comes the Toyota RAV4, with 1,260 thefts in 2024.

Meanwhile, 21 Tesla models were also reported stolen, highlighting that even high-tech vehicles remain at risk.

Gaining protection

As vehicle thefts remain a serious issue, Tempcover are advising motorists to stay informed on best practices to deter thieves.

Claire Wills-McKissick from Tempcover explains:

“We recognise how devastating it can be if your car is stolen. Beyond the physical loss, the life disruption and added stress can also linger. That’s why it’s important to stay informed about ways to protect your vehicle.”

She recommends several key precautions to reduce the risk of theft:

  • Use a steering wheel lock – A highly visible deterrent that makes theft more difficult
  • Install an immobiliser – Prevents the car from being started without the correct key or fob
  • Park in well-lit or secure areas – Motion-sensor lights can deter thieves at night
  • Consider a tracking device – Helps locate and recover stolen vehicles faster

“A car is often more than just a means of transport—it’s an integral part of life. Taking proactive steps to protect your vehicle can help provide peace of mind and reduce the risk of theft,” Wills-McKissick adds.

With car crime still a major concern across the UK, staying alert and adopting additional security measures could make all the difference in keeping your vehicle safe.

Extra precautions

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.

These DVLA statistics show 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.

Other recommendations to reduce the risk of theft include;

Make sure your car is locked in the first place

A large proportion of thefts are a result of the vehicle being left unlocked or criminals using signal jammers that block your key fob from communicating with the car’s locks.

Don’t leave your car engine running to defrost windows

Leaving a vehicle running and unattended is a huge security risk, even if it’s on your private driveway.

It is illegal to do this, and your insurer is unlikely to pay out for any loss if your car is stolen as a result of this.

Thieves will be checking for stationary cars emitting exhaust smoke or that have wing mirrors that normally are folded in when locked but are clearly not.

Keep valuables out of sight

‘Out of sight, out of mind’. Remove all valuables from your vehicle to make it less of a target to opportunistic thieves.

Install a doorbell camera or CCTV at your home

Doorbell cameras and CCTV systems are becoming increasingly popular as a deterrent for car crime and catching thieves.

Make sure you invest in one with a night vision mode and crisp HD resolution.

Motion-sensing driveway lighting can also be a strong deterrent.

If you have a garage, use it

If you have a garage, try to ensure enough room for your car to fit into it rather than using it for storage for all types of household clutter.

If you have multiple vehicles, almost prioritise the garage for the one of highest value – and park another car in front of the garage door as an extra precaution.

And if you have electric garage doors, do not keep the transponder inside the vehicle, such as in the glovebox.

Victims have subsequently found this to be the reason for their property being burgled.

Check repair centre and bodyshop accreditation to avoid key cloning

If you need to leave your key with a garage or bodyshop, you should check that they are a member of an accredited code of practice/professional standard such as The Motor Ombudsman or The British Parking Association’s Park Mark scheme.

This should reduce your chances of falling victim of key cloning.

Also, if you purchased your vehicle second-hand with only one working key, visit an approved repair centre as soon as possible to have the missing key(s) deleted and a spare added.

Always wipe stored info from a car before you sell it

Some vehicle apps and connected systems can provide the previous owner with access.

If permissions remain active, ensure all permissions and data linked to the previous owner are wiped.

‘Locust’ thieves might strike twice

A new wave of ‘locust thieves’ exist today who strip cars while parked at the side of the road and even outside owners’ homes.

Many people have woken up to find wheels, bonnets, grills, and even doors missing from their cars, rendering them undriveable.

These parts are becoming more valuable since the pandemic with factory closures and slowdowns, meaning some components are not as readily available from manufacturers as pre-Covid.

For instance, a Porsche headlight can be worth up to £1,000 today, which has driven a rise in these parts being stolen.

Wing mirrors for top-of-the-range vehicles are also easy-to-steal and high-value components.