International scale of UK's stolen vehicle problem revealed
Wed, 02 Jul 2025
The alarming international scale of UK vehicle crime has been revealed in a new investigation by Thatcham Research in partnership with the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVICS).
Organised crime gangs are focusing on the UK because of our desirable and generally better-equipped models, despite claims the UK has the highest standards of vehicle security in the world.
Unlike amateurs, well-funded criminal gangs have the specialist electronic equipment to overcome modern security tech – and the network to easily distribute vehicles worldwide.
The research shows that between 2021 and 2024, 38.5% of vehicles stolen in the UK were shipped to the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the UAE taking a further 20.1%.
Cyprus and Jamaica (which, like the UK, both drive on the left) and Georgia were other top five countries for stolen vehicle export.
The surprise inclusion of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the top of the list is due to its central positioning on the African continent. Along with a deep seaport and borders with nine other countries, it makes for an ideal distribution hub to other markets.
Meanwhile, flooding in the UAE back in April has driven a surge in thefts of one popular (and unidentified) SUV. Dealers there are quoting three months for a replacement – whereas a stolen model can be shipped from London Gateway to Jebel Ali in just 25 days.
Geopolitical tensions are a factor too, with Georgia being a key destination due to the war in neighbouring Russia. This has also changed the types of vehicles being stolen, with thefts of pickups rising nearly 5% in just a year.
Add in an industry-wide scarcity of parts that is also influencing vehicle theft and the illegal market in luxury cars, SUVs and pickups is now booming, with insurers settling claims worth £640m in 2024.
52% of vehicles intercepted by NaVICS were luxury vehicles – and nearly 8 in 10 were SUVs.
Thatcham Research’s Richard Billyeald said that British cars are now so secure, raising vehicle security levels yet further will not prevent thefts.
"The casual theft and joy riding of the 80s and 90s has all but disappeared, with vehicle manufacturers having succeeded in making it very difficult for amateurs to steal modern vehicles.
However, the organised criminal gangs who have replaced them are well-funded and sophisticated in their approach, combining specialist electronic equipment with an international logistics network.
We believe that beating these criminals requires cooperation between government agencies, vehicle manufactures and ourselves to reduce the value of stolen assets and therefor the incentive to steal them," he adds.
What is a reasonable amount of time for an insurance company to process a theft claim?
