Latest UK car theft statistics revealed

In the latest motor vehicle theft news, Sky News reports that there were 106,524 vehicles stolen over the course of 2023. This figure, based on data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), relates to stolen vehicle reports made by police forces to the DVLA.

What is the most stolen car in the UK?

A What Car? Report earlier this year claimed these were the most commonly stolen cars:

• Ford Fiesta
• Ford Focus
• Volkswagen Golf

This latest poll reports that five-door hatchback cars were the most popular target with 24,518 thefts. There were also some surprising vehicles with lawnmowers, tar sprayers and even a hearse featured on the list.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the cars and vehicles stolen in 2023:

• Five-door hatchback cars (24,518 thefts)
• Estate cars (20,685)
• Motorbikes (18,673)
• Small vans (11,172)
• Ambulances (9)
• Ride-on lawnmowers (7)
• Bin lorries (4)
• Road sweepers (3)
• Tar sprayers (2)
• Hearse (1)
• Concrete mixer (1)
• Sewage tank emptier (1)
• Fire engine (1)

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “This data shows that from a tractor to a tipper to a tar sprayer, there is literally no type of vehicle that someone won’t steal. Some will be taken for resale, some for a joyride, but many will be broken up for parts or shipped abroad out of the way of prying eyes”.

Car theft prevention

If you’re wondering how you can help protect your car from opportunist thieves, there are a number of options to consider:

• Keep your car locked at all times – It should go without saying that you should keep your car doors locked whenever you leave it (and even while you’re inside). A thief only needs a couple of seconds to get in, so it’s better to be safe – even if you’re filling up with petrol.
• Keep your keys in a safe place (even when on your person) – Keep your keys close by at all times and make sure they’re secure in a pocket when walking about.
• Use in-car security systems (steering wheel locks, brake locks) – Not only do things like steering wheel locks provide a visual deterrent but they will also hold up a thief for a potential few minutes if they do manage to access your vehicle.
• Add an alarm or immobiliser/tracking device to your car – A car alarm system will hopefully give the thief a fright when it goes off and gain some eyewitnesses if they do manage to drive away. An immobiliser aims to prevent your car from being driven by disabling the ignition. A tracking device will help you see where your car ends up.
• Never leave the car running – Dropping someone off or just popping into a friend or family member to pick something up? Don’t leave the car running. We’ve all heard stories of people driving off in cars while they defrost. Try your best not to be one of these victims.
• Avoid leaving your belongings on display – What could be more appealing to a thief than something shiny and expensive, fully on display in your car? Whether it’s the latest tech or a bunch of birthday or Christmas presents, you should keep them securely in your boot with the shelf down while out and about and keep them in a safe place in your home once you’ve finished your journey.

It’s also important to consider the surroundings if you want to help deter theft of your vehicle. You could do this by:

• Signing up to a Neighbourhood Watch scheme – Neighbourhood Watch is the largest volunteer-led crime prevention charity in the country. The charity works with communities to support them in trying to prevent crime and raise awareness around safety initiatives. You could sign up and keep an eye on potential vehicle thefts.
• Installing a security light on your driveway – If you park your car on a driveway, you could install a security light that shines on anyone imposing on your property and coming near your vehicle. Again, this could be an effective deterrent to anyone thinking of stealing your car.
• Parking in the garage and locking it – Another way of putting off potential thieves is to have the extra security of having your vehicle not only being locked but also undercover in a locked garage, if you’re lucky enough to have one. It’s a little bit more effort for you when you get home, but that extra level of security could be worth it.
• Parking responsibly, wherever you go – If you’re parking on a street, make sure it’s well lit and there are other vehicles around, but also be respectful of other road users and potential residents. A busier, brighter location is less likely to attract thieves.
• Keeping all the important documents at home – You should keep your driving licence, certificate of insurance and MOT certificate in your car as the police may ask for these if they pull you over. Your V5C logbook and any documents with personal details like letters or bank statements can be stored securely at home. If stolen, these can be used to steal your identity.

Does car insurance cover theft?

This will depend on the level of cover you have. Third-party car insurance only covers damage to somebody else’s car or an injury to them. As you can probably gather from the name, third party fire and theft car insurance will cover the cost of your car if it’s stolen and can’t be recovered and the cost of any repairs after a theft or attempt. You will need to check your documents for full details.

Vehicles of all sizes are a target for thieves. It’s important to do as much as you can to deter any attempts, while also ensuring you are covered if the worst happens. A comprehensive car insurance policy will cover you if your car is stolen.

What to do if your car is stolen

If your car is stolen, it’s important you contact the police and your insurance company as soon as possible. The latter will be able to tell you if your policy covers the cost of a replacement vehicle. They may wait to see if the vehicle is found to settle your claim. If it isn’t found, they should pay you the car’s current market value.

If your belongings are stolen, you may be able to choose between claiming on home contents insurance or vehicle insurance but you won’t be able to claim on both. You may want to consider the impact on your no claims bonus before making a decision.

An insurance pay-out may end your policy but this depends on the policy. If you paid the full amount up front, you probably won’t get the rest of your premium refunded. Visit the Citizens Advice website for more information on making a claim if your car is stolen.

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