Automobile. What are the 10 most stolen cars in France?

When it comes to car theft, thieves' methods are evolving, and so are their targets.

In 2024, France recorded 140,269 vehicle thefts, a (slight) decrease of 1.6% compared to 2023. This equates to one theft every four minutes, illustrating the persistence of the phenomenon.

Data from the Coyote Theft Observatory confirms this trend: vehicle thefts remain at a high level after several years of successive increases.

Targeted SUVs

SUVs are the stars of the most stolen cars, accounting for 66% of thefts in 2024. Hybrid vehicles are also very popular, accounting for 53% of thefts, compared to 40% in 2023.

But beyond the preferences of thieves, it is the methods that are evolving, with a preference for electronic solutions.

In 2024, 94% of thefts were carried out using methods such as mouse jacking, relay attacks or theft via the OBD port, which allows vehicles to be unlocked and started without any visible trace of tampering.

Which regions are most affected?

Are you more likely to see your car disappear if you park it in Paris than in Lyon?

Insurers have already answered the question and take into account where the car is located and where it is parked before providing a quote that takes into account the risk of theft.

Geographically, some regions are more affected than others. Île-de-France remains the most affected region, with a rate of 5.6 thefts per 1,000 vehicles, followed by Hauts-de-France (3.6‰) and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (3.5‰).

What are the 10 most stolen cars?

Thieves don't choose their targets at random: high demand for spare parts, easy electronic access, strong demand on the used market... all factors that make certain vehicles particularly attractive.

The latest Coyote report and Argus data confirm a trend: the most stolen car in France is not a luxury car.

1. Renault Clio IV – 2,283 flights
2. Peugeot 3008 II – 1,504 thefts
3. Peugeot 308 II – 1,462 thefts
4. Renault Megane IV – 1,270 thefts
5. Peugeot 208 II – 1,194
6. Toyota RAV4 V – 1,132 thefts
7. Peugeot 208 – 1,038 thefts
8. Renault Clio V – 1,010 thefts
9. Renault Clio III – 865 thefts
10. Toyota C-HR – 679 thefts

The best-selling and most popular models are often the most targeted simply because there is a high demand for their spare parts and they are easy to resell.

Hybrid vehicles and SUVs are also increasingly popular, particularly for export.