A new study has found the most commonly stolen cars during 2024 – with many popular models included in the rundown.
Whilst cases of car crime dropped by 16% over the 12-month period, nearly 54,000 vehicles were taken by criminals looking to export models or break them down for parts.
According to data sourced from the DVLA by the temporary car insurance experts Tempcover, the most stolen car in the UK during 2024 was the Ford Fiesta.
The study found that 4,446 examples of the popular supermini were taken during 2024 – an average of 12 per day.
One of the biggest reasons why Fiestas are so popular with thieves is due to their popularity, with the model being built from 1976 to 2022 and often being the best-selling model of each year.
The Fiesta’s larger sibling, the Ford Focus, also ranked highly in the list, being the third most stolen vehicle of the year with 1,700 being taken, whilst other common models like the Volkswagen Golf and Nissan Juke also featured in the top 10.
Whilst popular models are often the most stolen vehicles on the road, many thieves also tend to target luxury models that are particularly desirable in certain export markets.
In particular, models like the Range Rover Evoque, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C Class also featured within the top 10.
However, reflecting an overall decline in thefts, Tempcover highlighted that the number of Ferraris stolen in the UK dropped from 43 in 2023 to just three in 2024.
No matter what a driver happens to own, it is vital that they take a number of measures that can help to deter thieves. In particular, drivers should always double-check that they have locked their vehicle, even if they are only leaving it unattended for a few seconds.
If a driver owns a car with keyless entry, they should also invest in a Faraday pouch, which blocks the signal coming from the key fob – making it much harder for a criminal to intercept in order to gain access.
Finally, parking in a safe location, such as a populated and well-lit area, can also help to deter thieves, putting them at a much higher risk of being spotted.