Every year in France, tens of thousands of vehicles disappear: in 2025, insurers recorded 64,088 stolen vehicles, including 44,104 passenger cars — roughly one car every twelve minutes. That figure is down (−9% year on year), but not all models are equally at risk: a handful of cars account for a disproportionate share of thefts. Popularity, sought-after spare parts, electronic vulnerabilities… the reasons vary, but the outcome is the same for owners: a rough morning facing an empty parking space.
So which cars are the most stolen in France in 2026? And more importantly, how can you stack the odds in your favour to protect yours? Here is the ranking and the solutions that actually work.
The ranking of the most stolen cars in France #
The reference ranking is the one from GIE Argos, published by France Assureurs (55 companies, ~99% of the French motor insurance market). It measures theft frequency — the number of thefts relative to the fleet in circulation — for models under 10 years old. Here is the top 10 from the 2025 data:
| Rank | Model | Why it is targeted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota RAV4 | Hybrid SUV, catalytic converters and parts in high export demand |
| 2 | Hyundai Tucson | High-demand SUV, vulnerable to relay theft |
| 3 | Toyota C-HR | Prized hybrid, parts resold internationally |
| 4 | Renault Mégane 4 | Top-ranked French model, sought-after electronic components |
| 5 | Renault Talisman | Saloon in demand for export |
| 6 | Peugeot 508 | High-end saloon, strong demand abroad |
| 7 | Peugeot 5008 | Large 7-seat SUV, good resale value |
| 8 | DS 7 Crossback | Premium SUV, high-end electronics |
| 9 | Peugeot 3008 | Very widespread SUV, parts in high demand |
| 10 | Renault Clio 4 | Huge fleet, easy-to-move parts |
Source: 2025 Stolen Vehicle Ranking, GIE Argos / France Assureurs, published 18 February 2026 — press release and official presentation (ranking on p. 9).
The big shift: SUVs, especially hybrids, now dominate, with the Toyota RAV4 holding the top spot for the second year running. French models remain present, though: the Peugeot 3008 (9th) and the Renault Clio 4 (10th) are still in the top 10, their enormous fleets driving strong demand for spare parts.
Why are these cars the most stolen? #
Three factors consistently appear in the profile of the most targeted models:
- The model’s popularity. The more common a car, the higher the demand for spare parts. Engine control units, headlights, wheels, catalytic converters: every component has its black market.
- Electronic vulnerabilities. Relay theft (or mouse jacking) lets thieves capture and replay the key’s signal without contact. They unlock and start the vehicle in seconds, with no visible break-in.
- Opportunistic thefts. A widespread car, poorly parked or left in a low-surveillance area, becomes an easy target for a quick theft.
How to protect your car against theft #
The good news: combining several layers of protection dramatically reduces the risk. No single device is foolproof, but stacking them discourages the vast majority of thieves.
1. Reinforce mechanical security #
Mechanical anti-theft devices remain a deterrent because they cost thieves precious time:
- Steering wheel lock: simple, visible and remarkably effective.
- Wheel clamp: bulkier, but ideal in high-risk areas.
- Kill switch: prevents starting until it is deactivated.
2. Neutralise relay theft #
Against mouse jacking, a few habits go a long way:
- Store your key in an anti-RFID pouch (Faraday bag).
- Keep the key away from your front door at night.
- Enable your key’s “signal off” mode if your vehicle offers it.
3. Park smart #
- Favour a closed garage or a secure car park.
- Avoid dark, isolated areas at night.
- Use monitored car parks in city centres.
4. Install a discreet GPS tracker #
This is the protection that changes everything once the theft has happened: where anti-theft devices deter, a GPS tracker lets you locate and recover the vehicle. The Invoxia GPS Tracker Classic is built precisely for this: discreet, it hides inside the cabin and works autonomously, independently of the car electronics thieves try to neutralise.
Its strengths for protecting an at-risk vehicle:
- Anti-theft alerts and suspicious-movement detection in real time
- Safety zones with entry and exit alerts
- Accurate GPS tracking via the 4G LTE-M network
- Long battery life: several weeks without recharging
- Theft file to support law-enforcement action thanks to the Invoxia Theft File
Our car was stolen during the night. Thanks to the GPS location, the police went to the scene, identified our vehicle in a warehouse and returned it to us.
Paul T., Invoxia user
In summary #
If you own one of the models on this list, vigilance is essential — but it is not enough on its own. Mechanical anti-theft devices and good parking habits deter thieves, while a discreet GPS tracker maximises your chances of recovering your vehicle if it is stolen. Don’t leave it to chance: the best protection is the one you put in place before the theft happens.