And the winner is....

The UK most popular stolen car remains the Ford Fiesta

🚗 The UK’s Most Stolen Cars in 2024

According to DVLA data analysed by Fleet News and other sources, the top ten most stolen cars in the UK in 2024 were: track.ax-uk.com+13phoenixcarkeys.co.uk+13This Is Money+13Zego+3Fleet News+3continentalcarhire.co.uk+3

Rank	Model	Number Stolen
1	Ford Fiesta	4,446
2	Volkswagen Golf	1,731
3	Ford Focus	1,700
4	BMW 3 Series	1,371
5	Toyota RAV4	1,260
6	Mercedes‑Benz C‑Class	1,123
7	Range Rover Evoque	1,087
8	Nissan Juke	1,027
9	Vauxhall Corsa	870
10	Range Rover Sport	867

In total, over 61,000 vehicles were stolen in the UK in 2024, averaging about 168 thefts a day phoenixcarkeys.co.uk+11Fleet News+11Tempcover+11phoenixcarkeys.co.uk.

🚨 Why These Models Are Prime Targets

1. High Availability & Resale Demand

• The Ford Fiesta, consistently the UK’s most stolen car, leads the list largely because it’s widely owned—making parts and resale highly lucrative Fleet News+3Tempcover+3directgap.co.uk+3.

• Similarly, Volkswagen Golfs and Ford Focuses remain popular both among drivers and thieves alike for their demand in the black market Reddit+15Bollard Security+15The Scottish Sun+15.
  

2. Technology Vulnerabilities

• Many vehicles on this list—especially luxury models like BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, and Range Rovers—utilise keyless entry systems. Criminals exploit weaknesses with relay and replay attacks to steal vehicles within seconds without leaving a trace Reddit+6track.ax-uk.com+6phoenixcarkeys.co.uk+6.

• Up to 94% of all stolen cars in the UK have keyless ignition systems Wikipedia+15smartsafehome.co.uk+15The Sun+15.
  

3. Organised Crime and Export Value

• High-value SUVs like Range Rovers and Toyota RAV4s are often stolen by organised gangs for export, stripping for parts, or resale overseas. These models fetch high margins abroad, making them prized targets Reddit+7phoenixcarkeys.co.uk+7inshur.com+7.
  

💡 Vehicle Security Recommendations

If you own one of these commonly stolen models—or any keyless entry vehicle—consider these protection strategies:

1. Use a Faraday pouch to store your key fob when not in use, blocking signal relay attacks Reddit+2inshur.com+2The Sun+2track.ax-uk.com+5phoenixcarkeys.co.uk+5inshur.com+5.

2. Install visible physical deterrents such as steering wheel locks, clamps, or wheel boots. These inexpensive devices remain effective even against tech-savvy thieves.

3. Upgrade to a ghost immobiliser or aftermarket tracking system—these are difficult to bypass and can speed up recovery if stolen Reddit+2phoenixcarkeys.co.uk+2smartsafehome.co.uk+2.

4. Park strategically, preferring well-lit, CCTV-covered spots or locked garages whenever possible.

5. Etch your VIN or registration number on major panels and windows to discourage part harvesting and resales.

6. Disable keyless entry, if the option exists, or use models with stronger rolling-code encryption—some manufacturers are retrofitting security updates on vulnerable models Fleet News+2inshur.com+2phoenixcarkeys.co.uk+2phoenixcarkeys.co.uk.
   

🧭 Final Thoughts

While everyday models like the Fiesta, Golf, and Focus dominate theft statistics due to sheer numbers, high-end vehicles—particularly luxury SUVs—are driving a surge in sophisticated, organised crime techniques. The advent of relay and code-grabbing technology has transformed car theft into a high-speed industry, demanding that both owners and insurers take notice.

If your vehicle appears on the list above, proactive security measures aren't just advisable—they're essential.