Most stolen cars, which ones are most at risk of theft

Unfortunately, in Italy they are growing car thefts and the overall number of cars, motorbikes and heavy vehicles continues to increase. From 2013 to today, beyond 1 million and 550 thousand vehicles were stolen, but only 609 thousand were found. Approximately 940,000 of these vehicles were lost, presumably headed to foreign markets or used for illegal trafficking of spare parts. One in four thefts occurs in Campaniawhile the Lazio it is the region where the thieves are more skilled to lose track of stolen vehicles. Italy ranks at second place in Europe by number of thefts, immediately after Francealthough in the latter nation there is a decline in cases.

Among the most stolen cars, the Panda leads the way

In first place we find the Fiat Panda with 12,571 thefts (more than one stolen car in ten is a Panda), followed by Fiat 500 (5,889), from Fiat Punto (4.604), from Lancia Ypsilon (4.472), from Fiat 500L (2,637) and fromAlfa Romeo Giulietta (2,075).

The last four positions in the most stolen cars ranking are occupied by Smart Fortwo (1.976), from Citroen C3 (1.741), from Volkswagen Golf (1,465) and from Renault Clio (1,365). Over half of car thefts, 54%, involved these models. Interestingly, the three least frequently recovered cars were the Golf (only recovered in 35% of cases), the C3 (36%) and the Fortwo (37%).

The top ten of the most stolen cars in Italy

The ranking of the most stolen car models in 2023 does not present major changes compared to previous years and reflects the rankings of the best-selling cars in the sales market. Once again, the top five positions are occupied by the brands Stellantis Group.

Of the almost two out of three vehicles, traces are lost after the theft, routed towards foreign markets (especially Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East) or used to fuel the profitable business of spare parts.

Over 1 in 3 thefts occur on vehicles equipped with opening systems contactless (with opening and closing of the passenger compartment without inserting the key). In fact, thieves use a technological device which is capable of evading the owner of the vehicle in just 30 seconds, even when the latter thinks he is safe.

Car theft for spare parts

In recent months, another rapidly growing trend concerns partial car thefts, which consist of removal of individual pieces from parked vehicles in the street. Due to the serious production crisis and availability of spare parts, mufflers, wheels, bumpers and headlights have become the most coveted pieces by thieves to then be sold on illegal markets. This criminal business has become even more widespread due to the raw materials crisis, accentuated by war in Ukraine.

As a result, thieves are increasingly targeting catalystswhich are cut and taken away to extract the particles of gold and platinum contained within them, or the precious ones lithium batteries for electric vehicles.

The story of the theft of a valuable stolen Lancia Delta Integrale, with the thieves chasing it and then finding it.

However, they are also selling like hot cakes 500 Abartheven if in smaller numbers or valuable historic cars like the Lancia Delta Integrale.

Most stolen SUVs in Italy

Also SUV/Crossover they are among the most stolen cars, with 20,865 thefts in 2023 and 40% recoveries. In the ranking of the most stolen cars, the Fiat 500X (1,997 units subtracted in 2023, representing 10% of the total SUV), followed by Jeep Renegade (1.653), from Peugeot 3008 (778), from Jeep Compass (713) and from Renault Captur (663).

Most stolen scooters and motorbikes in Italy

As with cars, the theft business continues to grow among cars motorcycles and scooters, although with a lower rate of increase (+2%) than other vehicle categories. In 2023 they were stolen 31,856 motorized two-wheelers, with just over 13 thousand (42%) returned to their legitimate owners, while the rest (28 thousand units) disappeared into thin air, often resold in Eastern European countries or used for the black market of spare parts.

Among the most stolen models, theHonda SH leads with 7,226 units stolen in 2023, representing almost 1 stolen motorbike/scooter in 4. Followed by Piaggio Liberty (2,332, growing strongly), the Piaggio Vespa (1,878), the Aprilia Scarabeo (1,840) and theAgility Kymco, which enters the top five with 1,382 subtractions. SH and Vespa, with 38% and 34% respectively, are the most difficult vehicles to find.

Where are most cars stolen in Italy?

The increase in thefts of motor vehicles (cars + vans + SUVs/Crossovers) uniformly involved all areas of the country, but with five red-flag regions: Campania, Lazio, Puglia, Sicily And Lombardy. Here they occurred 80,559 of the 99,153 total national thefts, representing 80% of the total. This data is not surprising, given previous trends, and confirms how criminal organizations prefer large metropolises or some areas of Southern Italy.

There Campania is in first place with 26,045 thefts (+9% compared to 2022), followed by Lazio with 16,912 episodes (+12% compared to the previous year), Puglia (14,978), Sicily (13,174) And Lombardy (9,750 and +15% compared to 2022). Campania and Lazio also recorded the lowest recovery rates, at 36% and 35% respectively, making it difficult to recover stolen cars in these areas.

In Puglia, however, low recovery rates often translate into the discovery of reduced vehicles wrecks, dismantled in less than 24 hours for the sale of spare parts. In contrast, eight regions of the country, including Basilicata, Aosta Valley, Liguria, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche, Molise, Trentino-Alto Adige And Umbria, have recorded fewer than 600 cases of thefts per year. The data was extrapolated from LoJack annual report on car thefts.

How many cars have been stolen in Italy?

In 2023 there was a clear increase in vehicle thefts in Italy, with a 7% increase compared to 2022, bringing the total to 131,679 cars stolen. This increase affected almost all vehicle categories, including cars/SUVs and motorbikes/scooters. In particular, motor vehicles experienced a significant increase of 11%, once again approaching the 100,000 units stolen annually, while motor vehicles recorded only a slight increase of 2%. Only 44% of stolen vehicles were recovered and returned to their rightful owners.

After the period post Covid, this criminal business has continued to grow, increasing the level of alert especially in some areas of the country, especially for owners of the vehicles most attractive to thieves. Overall, over the last ten years, from 2013 to 2023were stolen in Italy over 1 million 550 thousand vehicles, with only 39% of them recovered. Focusing on cars, the subtractions amount to more 1 million and 113 thousand unitsa number that is close to the registrations of cars registered in 2023.

Most stolen cars in Europe

The report “Organized Vehicle Crime in Europe” of the Vehicle Crime Barometer analyzed the theft phenomenon in six European countries (Germany, France, Italy, Bulgaria, Holland and Belgium) from 2000 to 2021, integrating the data with those recorded by Eurostat for the year 2021.

Worrying data emerge for theItalywhich was confirmed as one of the countries with the highest number of vehicle thefts, with over 110,000 vehicles stolen in 2021. This figure placed our country at the second place in the ranking of the nations with the highest number of episodes, preceded only by France with 122,000 cases. In this ranking, behind France and Italy are the Germany with 39,000 thefts, the Türkiye with 33,000, theHolland with 22,000 and the Spain with 20,000. In most European Union member states, the number of thefts did not exceed 1,000.

In 2021, around 122 thousand vehicles were stolen in France, a decidedly significant number, but which fell compared to over 211 thousand in 2008. The most stolen cars were the Toyota Priusthe DS7 Crossback and the Renault Mégane.

In Germany, however, the models of premium brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche have recorded a notable decrease in thefts over the last 30 years, going from over 200,000 thefts per year in the 1990s to around 39,000 in 2021-2022. Stolen cars are mainly routed to Eastern Europe, Central Asia and North Africa.

The Belgium it is considered a transit country in the international vehicle theft business, thanks to the available ports and ease of access to several European countries. Here, the decrease in the phenomenon has led from over 10,000 thefts in 2013 to 4,745 in 2021. Among the most stolen models are Toyota RAV4, Land Rover Velar And Lexus Land Cruiser.

Me too'Holland it represents an important port hub for international criminal organizations, used to transport vehicles stolen, whole or disassembled in spare parts to other countries, especially the Baltic ones, central and eastern Europe and African nations. Although over 11,000 cars were stolen in 2012, today the trend is decreasing with around 9,000 vehicle thefts. Thieves' favorite brands are Volkswagen, Toyota and BMW.

Among the countries with the lowest risk of theft is Bulgariawhere we went from around 12,000 thefts in 2000 to 1,351 in 2021, mainly in the capital Sofiawhere high-end and luxury cars are targeted.

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→ What do you think? Drop by discussions on the FORUM!

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