Around 54,830 vehicles were reported stolen in the UK in 2025, according to DVLA data. That is roughly 150 cars every day, or one every 10 minutes. If it happens to you, knowing what to do in the first few hours can make a real difference to your chances of getting your car back or receiving a fair payout from your insurer.
This guide covers the steps you should take straight away, how your insurance works, how to check whether a car you are buying has been reported stolen, and what you can do to reduce the risk of it happening in the first place.
The first few hours after discovering your car has been stolen are important. Acting quickly gives the police the best chance of recovering your vehicle and ensures you do not run into problems with your insurer, the DVLA, or any finance provider.
Before reporting the theft, double check that your car has not been towed or moved. In urban areas, vehicles are sometimes relocated by councils or parking enforcement. If you are in London, you can check whether your car has been towed using the TRACE service.
Once you are sure the car has been stolen, follow these steps in order:
1. Call the police on 101
Report the theft to the police as soon as possible. You will need to provide your registration number, the make, model, and colour of the car, and the last known location. The police will give you a crime reference number. Keep this safe as you will need it for your insurance claim, the DVLA, and your finance provider if applicable. If the theft is in progress, call 999 instead.
2. Contact your insurance company
Call your insurer and provide the crime reference number along with details of the theft. Most policies require you to notify them as soon as reasonably possible. Your insurer will explain how to make a claim and what information they need from you, which may include your keys, V5C logbook, current mileage, MOT certificate, and service history.
3. Notify your finance provider
If your car is on PCP, HP, or any other form of finance, you must tell the finance company. The vehicle is technically their property until the agreement is fully paid, and they will need to be involved in any insurance settlement.
4. Secure your personal information
If you had bank cards, house keys, or personal documents in the car, cancel or replace them straight away. Thieves may use these to commit identity fraud or burglary.
5. Check for dashcam or tracker data
If your car has a GPS tracker or dashcam with cloud storage, share any available data with the police. Do not attempt to recover the vehicle yourself.
The police will notify the DVLA when you report the theft, so you do not usually need to contact the DVLA yourself at that stage. However, if your insurer pays out for the stolen vehicle, you must tell the DVLA that the car has been sold to the insurance company. You can do this online or by completing the yellow section of your V5C logbook.
Once the DVLA is notified, your vehicle tax will be cancelled and you will receive a refund for any full months remaining. If your car has a personalised registration plate that you want to keep, apply to retain it before telling the DVLA you no longer own the vehicle.
Your insurance company pays out if your car is stolen, but only if you have comprehensive or third party, fire and theft cover. If you have third party only insurance, the policy does not cover theft of your own vehicle.
The payout is based on the market value of the car at the time it was stolen, not what you originally paid for it. Your insurer will deduct your excess from the payout. If the car is on finance, the payout goes to the finance company first to clear the outstanding balance, and any remaining amount goes to you.
According to QuestGates analysis of DVLA data, the average time from theft to recovery was 25.6 days in 2025, down from 27.1 days in 2024. However, this is an average and individual cases vary widely. Some cars are recovered within hours, while others are never found.
Most insurers will wait around 30 days before settling a theft claim to give the police time to recover the vehicle. If the car is not found within that period, the insurer will usually proceed with a market value payout.
Yes, but only if you have the right level of cover. Comprehensive insurance and third party, fire and theft policies both cover you if your car is stolen. Third party only insurance does not.
Your insurer will typically ask for your crime reference number, your keys (to confirm they were not left in the vehicle), your V5C logbook, and details of any finance on the car. If you left the car unlocked, left the keys in the ignition, or left it running unattended, your claim could be reduced or rejected.
If your car is not recovered, your insurer will pay out the market value of the vehicle at the time of the theft, minus your excess. This is usually settled after the 30 day waiting period. The payout is based on what the car was worth, not what you paid for it or what it would cost to replace with a brand new model.
If you disagree with your insurer's valuation, you can challenge it by providing evidence of what similar cars are selling for. Check listings on Auto Trader, eBay, and dealer websites for cars of the same make, model, age, mileage, and condition.
If your car is recovered after the insurer has already paid out, the insurer owns the car, not you. You do not have to take it back. If the car is recovered before the claim is settled, your insurer will assess the damage and decide whether to repair it or write it off. You can ask questions about the condition of the car, but the decision on whether to repair or write off is ultimately the insurer's.
Car theft is a criminal offence in England and Wales. Under the Theft Act 1968, the maximum sentence for theft of a motor vehicle is seven years in prison. Taking a vehicle without the owner's consent (known as TWOC) carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison or a fine, or both. Aggravated vehicle taking, where the vehicle is driven dangerously or damaged, carries a maximum sentence of two years, or 14 years if someone is killed.
If you are buying a used car, checking whether it has been reported stolen is one of the most important things you can do before handing over any money. A stolen vehicle can be seized by the police at any time, and you would lose both the car and the money you paid for it.
Vehicle History Check
Check any vehicle's full history
✓ Outstanding finance check
✓ Stolen marker check
✓ Write-off and salvage history
✓ Full MOT history and mileage
✓ Safety recall check
✓ Vehicle valuation
Check a Vehicle →Yes. When a vehicle is reported stolen to the police, they notify the DVLA and the vehicle is flagged on the Police National Computer (PNC). This means the stolen status is recorded against the registration number and can be picked up by vehicle history check providers.
However, the DVLA's own free vehicle enquiry service does not show whether a car has been reported stolen. You need a third party vehicle history check, such as a Brumble Premium Vehicle Report, to access stolen vehicle data.
Yes. A Brumble Premium Vehicle Report checks whether a vehicle has been reported stolen, has outstanding finance, has been written off, or has a mileage discrepancy. Reports cost £9.99 and results are delivered instantly. The DVLA's free vehicle enquiry service only shows basic information like tax and MOT status and does not include stolen vehicle data.
According to QuestGates analysis of 2025 DVLA data, 44.94% of stolen cars were recovered, up from 42.48% in 2024. That means more than half of stolen cars are never returned to their owners. Recovery rates vary by vehicle type, location, and whether the car has a tracker fitted.
Cars stolen for joyriding are more likely to be recovered (often damaged or abandoned) than cars stolen to order for parts or export, which are rarely found.
No security measure is completely foolproof, but layering several deterrents together makes your car a harder target. Most thieves are opportunistic and will move on to an easier vehicle if yours takes too long or looks too risky.
Physical deterrents: A visible steering wheel lock is one of the simplest and most effective deterrents. Wheel clamps and gear lock devices are also options. These force a thief to spend time in the open, which increases their risk of being caught.
Electronic security: An aftermarket alarm, immobiliser, or GPS tracker adds another layer. A tracker will not stop a theft, but it significantly increases the chance of recovery and can reduce your insurance premium.
Parking habits: Park in well lit areas, ideally with CCTV. At home, park in a garage if you have one, or use a driveway rather than the street. When out, choose busy car parks over quiet side streets.
Key safety: Never leave your keys in the ignition or near the front door at home. Thieves can use tools to hook keys through letterboxes or use relay devices to amplify the signal from keyless entry fobs left near the door.
Yes. Relay theft is one of the most common methods used to steal cars with keyless entry. Two thieves work together: one stands near your home with a device that picks up the signal from your key fob inside the house, and the other stands near your car with a device that relays that signal. The car thinks the key is nearby and unlocks.
To protect against relay theft, keep your key fob in a signal blocking pouch (often called a Faraday bag) when you are at home. Some owners also keep fobs in a metal tin, though a dedicated Faraday pouch is more reliable. You can also ask your dealer whether the key fob's wireless signal can be switched off when not in use.
DVLA data for 2025 shows a significant shift towards hybrid vehicles in the most stolen list. The Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV was the most stolen individual variant, with thefts up 28% on 2024. Thieves are increasingly targeting hybrids for their catalytic converters and high value components.
The Ford Fiesta remains the most stolen model overall (3,511 stolen in 2025), followed by the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. At brand level, Ford is the most stolen brand with over 7,600 cars taken, followed by BMW and Toyota.
Stolen cars in the UK are typically used for one of four purposes. Some are stripped for parts and sold through online marketplaces or to unscrupulous garages. Others are given false identities (known as ringing or cloning) and sold on to unsuspecting buyers. Some are shipped abroad, particularly to Eastern Europe or West Africa. And some are simply used for joyriding or to commit other crimes before being abandoned.
According to QuestGates, the most commonly stolen models average about eight years old, which suggests they are being targeted primarily for parts rather than resale.
DVLA data for 2025, analysed by What Car? and QuestGates, reveals the UK's most stolen vehicles. The top three most stolen makes were Ford, BMW, and Toyota. At model level, the top 10 most stolen cars were:
| Rank | Model | Thefts (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Fiesta | 3,511 |
| 2 | Volkswagen Golf | 1,625 |
| 3 | Ford Focus | 1,474 |
| 4 | Toyota RAV4 | 1,319 |
| 5 | BMW 3 Series | 1,249 |
| 6 | Nissan Juke | 1,200 |
| 7 | Toyota C-HR | 967 |
| 8 | Lexus NX | 951 |
| 9 | Land Rover Range Rover Evoque | 895 |
| 10 | Vauxhall Corsa | 874 |
Source: DVLA data analysed by What Car? and QuestGates (February 2026). Figures represent vehicles reported stolen in 2025.
The Ford Fiesta remains the most stolen model by a wide margin, with more than double the thefts of the second placed Volkswagen Golf. The most commonly stolen models are popular, mass market vehicles averaging around eight years old, which suggests they are being targeted for parts rather than resale.
The notable shift in 2025 is the rise of Toyota and Lexus models in the top 10. The Toyota RAV4 entered at fourth, while the Toyota C-HR and Lexus NX (which shares a platform with Toyota) also feature. Hybrids are increasingly being targeted for their catalytic converters, which contain precious metals, and their high value electronic components. The Toyota C-HR Dynamic HEV was the most stolen individual variant in 2025, with thefts up 28% on the previous year.
If you own any of the vehicles listed above, or are thinking of buying one second hand, consider a vehicle history check to confirm it has not been previously reported stolen. You can also compare car insurance via Brumble to ensure you have the right level of cover in case the worst happens.
Buying a Used Car?
Protect yourself before you buy
✓ Outstanding finance check
✓ Stolen marker check
✓ Write-off and salvage history
✓ Full MOT history and mileage
✓ Safety recall check
✓ Vehicle valuation
Check a Vehicle →Already own your car? Make sure your insurance covers theft. Compare car insurance from 130+ UK insurers via Brumble. Compare car insurance via Brumble
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