In 2024, France recorded a slight decrease in vehicle thefts, with a 3% decline compared to the previous year, totaling 70,649 claims reported to insurance companies. Cars account for 47,155 units out of these over 70,000 thefts, a 5% increase on that front. And this resurgence particularly affects certain models, favored by criminals for various reasons.
Let’s discover together which cars are the most stolen, what makes them popular with thieves, and how to protect them to prevent them from disappearing.
Top 10 Most Stolen Cars in France in 2024 #
And let’s dive right into the subject, with the car models that were the most coveted last year!
1. Renault Clio IV #
With 2,283 thefts recorded, the Renault Clio IV remains the most stolen car in France. Its popularity and wide distribution make it a prime target for the resale of spare parts.
2. Peugeot 3008 II #
The flagship SUV of the lion brand, the Peugeot 3008 II, is the second most stolen vehicle with 1,504 thefts. Its commercial success and high demand abroad make it particularly attractive to traffickers.
3. Peugeot 308 II #
This Peugeot model totals 1,462 thefts. Its keyless system is one of the weak points exploited by thieves.
4. Renault Mégane IV #
With 1,270 thefts, the Renault Mégane IV suffers from electronic vulnerabilities exploited by thieves.
5. Peugeot 208 II #
The city car Peugeot 208 II suffered 1,194 thefts in 2024. Its success and strong presence in the used car market make it an easy target.
6. Toyota RAV4 V #
This hybrid SUV is highly sought after, especially abroad. 1,132 thefts were recorded this year, often through electronic hacking.
7. Peugeot 208 #
The first generation of the Peugeot 208 also remains highly coveted, with 1,038 thefts.
8. Renault Clio V #
Once again, the Renault Clio V appears in the ranking, with 1,010 additional thefts.
9. Renault Clio III #
Despite its age, the Clio III remains coveted with 865 thefts. The spare parts for this model are still in demand.
10. Toyota C-HR #
With 679 thefts, this hybrid SUV is a prime target due to its growing popularity and sought-after technological components.
Why are these cars particularly targeted by thieves? #
Several factors explain why certain models are more vulnerable to theft:
- Popularity and distribution: Widely spread vehicles, like the Renault Clio V or the Peugeot 208, offer a flourishing market for spare parts. Their abundance facilitates the resale of components without raising suspicion.
- Value abroad: Some models, especially SUVs like the Peugeot 3008 II or the Toyota RAV4, are in high demand in foreign markets, making their resale lucrative. These vehicles can be quickly exported to countries where their value is higher.
- Technological flaws: Technological advancements, although beneficial for drivers, present vulnerabilities exploited by thieves. For example, the keyless start system can be hacked, facilitating theft without visible break-in.
How to effectively protect your vehicle against theft? #
Use a physical anti-theft device #
Steering wheel locks, wheel locks, and other anti-theft devices remain effective means. They initially deter: if the thief has the choice between an unprotected vehicle or one equipped with visible protection, the former will immediately be more interesting to them.
Secondly, anti-theft devices help slow down the thieves’ work, which sometimes gives you time to arrive on the scene and scare them away.
Install a GPS tracker #
A GPS tracker allows you to quickly locate a stolen vehicle and intervene as soon as possible to recover it. Models like those from Invoxia have already proven their worth, increasing the recovery rate by 45% compared to the national average!
The advantage of this type of car tracker is also to alert you in case of a theft attempt. You receive a notification directly on your phone, warning you that suspicious movement has been detected on your car. If you are nearby, you have time to intervene.
Park in secure places #
Favor monitored parking lots or closed garages as a good way to reduce risks. But this does not guarantee 100% car security, and you need to be aware of that! According to a recent study*, 35% of car thefts occur at people’s homes, often in a garage or underground parking.
Disable the keyless system #
If your car has this technology, opt for anti-RFID pouches to prevent hacking.
Car theft remains a major problem, not only in France. Over the past 10 years, it is estimated that 1.5 million vehicles have been stolen, with a recovery rate of barely 40%. In 2024, France was still a poor performer with 451 vehicles stolen per day, ahead of Greece and Italy. This equates to nearly 20 thefts per hour, twice as many as our Belgian neighbors!
Even though the risk unfortunately exists for all cars, it is interesting to identify the most at-risk models to adopt preventive measures. A combination of physical anti-theft devices, GPS trackers, and good parking habits can deter thieves and effectively protect your vehicle.
*Study conducted by Invoxia in October 2024, with over 7,000 respondents in France and Belgium