Overview

• DVLA data show more than 61,000 vehicles were stolen in the UK in 2024, with Toyota Hilux pickups alone seeing thefts surge 549% to 584 even as overall thefts fell 4.5% and young-car thefts rose 6.6%.
• Thieves employ electronic bypass tools to steal Hilux pickups for export to markets including the Democratic Republic of Congo, UAE, Cyprus, Jamaica and Georgia.
• Automakers have bolstered security after the surge: Toyota GB invested over £10 million in trials for trackers and immobilisers, Hyundai upgraded hardware and software on models built after February 2024, and Jaguar Land Rover’s £17 million programme has removed its models from the top stolen list.
• Regional police forces in Bedfordshire, North Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire have issued Hilux owner warnings and increased rural patrols following theft spikes.
• Five Lexus models featured in the top ten most stolen by likelihood in 2024, led by the ES 300 which was stolen at a rate of one in 30 vehicles according to DVLA analysis.