Which Cars Do Thieves Target Most in the UK?
Car theft isn't random. Thieves pick vehicles that are quick to take, easy to sell and worth the risk. You can't change what you drive — but understanding why certain cars are targeted tells you exactly where to add protection. Tens of thousands of vehicles are stolen in the UK each year, and the majority now go via keyless methods.
The models and types that top the lists
UK theft data (DVLA figures reported through insurers and the motoring press) consistently features the same names. Rankings vary from list to list, but the pattern is clear:
- Best-selling hatchbacks such as the Ford Fiesta — stolen in huge numbers simply because there are so many on the road and a ready market for their parts.
- Keyless premium SUVs and saloons — the Range Rover, Land Rover Discovery, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes E-Class and Lexus RX regularly appear. High value, in demand abroad and for parts, and almost all keyless, which makes them vulnerable to relay attacks.
- Vans — taken for the vehicle and the tools inside, often a bigger loss than the van itself.
- Performance and modified cars — desirable, valuable, and a magnet for to-order theft.
(Exact numbers differ between sources and years, so treat any single ranking as a guide rather than gospel — but the vehicle types are consistent.)
Why these cars, and why now
Two things drive it: keyless entry and resale demand. A relay attack lets thieves copy a keyless car's signal and drive off in under a minute, with no force and no alarm. If a model is both keyless and sought-after, it's an easy, low-risk target. For the full picture of how it's done, see our keyless theft protection guide.
It's not only new cars
Older and cheaper cars get taken too — usually for parts, or through OBD key-programming, where a thief plugs into the diagnostic port and codes a new key. So "my car's too old to be a target" is rarely true.
How to take your car off the easy-target list
You don't need your car to be impossible to steal — just harder work than the next one. The single most effective step against keyless and relay theft is an immobiliser released by something other than the key.
IMMOSTOP holds the engine immobilised at two separate points and only releases them when your authorised phone is in range. A relayed or cloned key might open the door — but the car won't drive for anyone but you. It arms and disarms automatically, so there's nothing to remember. IMMOSTOP is installed by Autosecureshop, vehicle security specialists.
Drive a commonly-targeted model? Make it the hardest car on the street. See how IMMOSTOP works →
More on vehicle security
- Keyless car theft: 6 signs your car is a target
- What is a relay attack — and how do you stop it?
- Van security: how to stop van and tool theft
- Compare IMMOSTOP vs trackers, steering locks & aftermarket immobilisers
- Order IMMOSTOP (£349 all-in, fitted)
- Autosecureshop — vehicle security specialists
Frequently asked questions
What is the most stolen car in the UK?
Rankings vary by source and year, but the Ford Fiesta is frequently named the most stolen car overall because of how many are on the road, while keyless premium models such as the Range Rover, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes E-Class top the lists for high-value theft. Treat any single ranking as a guide — the vehicle types stay consistent.
Are keyless cars easier to steal?
Yes. Most modern thefts use a relay attack that copies the keyless signal, letting thieves unlock and start the car in under a minute with no force and no alarm. Keyless, in-demand models are therefore the most targeted.
Does my car's age matter?
Not as much as people think. Newer keyless cars are taken by relay attack, while older cars are taken for parts or through OBD key-programming. Both old and new vehicles are at risk.
How do I stop my car being targeted?
Add a layer the key can't satisfy. The most effective step is an immobiliser released by something other than the key — such as IMMOSTOP, which only lets the car drive when your authorised phone is in range, so a relayed or cloned key is useless.