The most stolen cars in the UK

Which are the most commonly stolen cars in the UK? Let’s find out.

New analysis by monitoring company Tracker suggests that theft of cars equipped with ‘keyless’ technology continues to rise. Tracker’s data suggests that 88% of vehicles stolen and recovered fitted with a Tracker were stolen without the vehicle’s keys being used. 

Starting at the 10th most-stolen and recovered cars and working our way up, let’s take a look at the most pinched cars in the UK in 2018 - is yours on the list?

10: Mercedes-Benz GLE

The large SUV formally known as the M-Class is a desirable car. And sadly what’s desirable to owners is also desirable to thieves. A new model will hit UK roads in the next few months.

9: Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The S-class is still the reigning king of the luxury-car class, and rumour has is that many of this type of car is especially stolen to order for export.

8: Range Rover Sport

Some rival luxury SUVs are faster and more fun to drive, but few are as comfortable or as refined as the Range Rover Sport, not to mention as desirable. Sadly, this makes it a magnet for thieves.

7: Land Rover Discovery

The Discovery is a hugely spacious seven-seater that's awash with smart design touches to make life easier, including a cubby in the front that will swallow four iPads. The Discovery is also one of five prestige SUVs to feature in the top 10.

6: Range Rover Vogue

One of three Land Rovers among the top 10 most stolen cars in the UK is the brand's flagship model: the luxurious and cosseting Range Rover.

The Autobiography version is a particular target; this comes equipped with everything from a sliding panoramic sunroof to massaging front seats and a heated leather and wood steering wheel.

5: BMW 5 Series

This perennially popular model has moved from the senior executive class into the junior luxury one in recent years. It wasn’t present in the 2017 top 10.

4: Mercedes-Benz E-Class

This rival to the BMW 5 Series and Jaguar XF is probably the best mainstream Mercedes on sale today; it’s elegant, classy, well equipped and good to drive.

Sadly, cars from German manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz dominate this list, occupying seven of the 10 places.

3: BMW 3 Series

The 3 Series no longer dominates the executive saloon class in the way it once did, but it still has plenty to attract both buyers and the unscrupulous.

The current 3 Series combines fun handling with sharp looks and a smart, user-friendly interior, but an all-new and much improved model will hit UK roads in March.

2: Mercedes-Benz C-Class

This executive saloon isn't in the first flush of youth, and it was the most stolen car in the UK in 2017, so it’s dropped one place in 2018.

1: BMW X5

The X5 was one of the first SUVs to put on-road dynamics above off-road ability, but it also had the dubious honour of being the most stolen car in the UK for six straight years between 2009 and 2014.

It also topped this list in 2016, and ended up second in 2015 and 2017, but it sadly reclaims its crown in the 2018 data - making it easy to see why many X5 owners fit trackers. 

Summary

As this data shows, prestige brands remain the top targets for thieves. The average value of stolen-and-recovered cars in the UK in 2018 was £20,000. The least expensive recovery was a Toyota Land Cruiser worth just £1,000 with the most expensive being a Rolls-Royce Ghost (pictured), worth £120,000.

Tracker’s Clive Wain explains, “Organised criminal gangs make a living out of stealing to order or taking what they know will sell quickly, and it’s a thriving, albeit illegal, profession. What’s more, these people have highly sophisticated skills, continually adapting their techniques to counter technology introduced by manufacturers to safeguard vehicles."

“Although premium models dominate the top 10, the opportunist thief will take any vehicle they can gain access to, so it’s vital that owners think about their vehicle security measures to make it harder for criminals. Thanks to our long-standing working relationship with all UK police forces, over 78 suspected thieves were arrested in connection with the vehicles we recovered. Not only that, but an additional 79 stolen vehicles were found alongside those vehicles recovered that were fitted with a Tracker unit.”