Most Stolen Vans in the UK
Which vans and pickups thieves target, how the risk compares with cars, and how to protect your van and tools.
Source: DVLA stolen-vehicle records, released under Freedom of Information (FOIR13058), and DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0120). Vans include pickups.
The 10 Most Stolen Vans in 2025
| # | Model | Stolen | 2024 | Licensed | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Transit | 3,564 | 4,705 | 458,301 | 7.78 |
| 2 | Ford Transit Custom | 2,237 | 2,212 | 512,434 | 4.37 |
| 3 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 1,054 | 1,595 | 236,742 | 4.45 |
| 4 | Nissan Navara | 996 | 792 | 62,380 | 15.97 |
| 5 | Toyota Hilux | 996 | 1,205 | 98,974 | 10.06 |
| 6 | Ford Ranger | 648 | 525 | 175,142 | 3.7 |
| 7 | Peugeot Boxer | 506 | 639 | 101,418 | 4.99 |
| 8 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 421 | 429 | 265,270 | 1.59 |
| 9 | Citroen Relay | 402 | 467 | 74,041 | 5.43 |
| 10 | Ford Transit Connect | 306 | 306 | 176,287 | 1.74 |
Per 1,000 = vans stolen in 2025 for every 1,000 licensed. Van average: 2.97; cars: 1.56.
Highest Van Theft Rates
Vans stolen in 2025 per 1,000 licensed (models with 10,000+ on the road). Dashed line: van average, 2.97
Vans Stolen per Year
Vans and pickups recorded stolen by the DVLA, 2014–2025
Dataset last refreshed . We update these figures periodically; the underlying statistics are published less often than that.
Why Vans Are Targeted
A van is stolen at nearly twice the rate of a car: 2.97 per 1,000 against 1.56. The Ford Transit tops the count simply because it is everywhere, but at 7.78 per 1,000 it is also well above the van average. Vans are worth stealing for their parts, which keep a working fleet on the road, and for what is inside them: a tradesperson's tools can be worth more than the van.
Pickups are among the most at risk: the Nissan Navara (15.97 per 1,000), the Toyota Hilux (10.06 per 1,000) and the Ford Ranger (3.7 per 1,000) all beat the van average. Durable four-wheel-drive pickups hold their value and sell well abroad.
How to Protect a Van
Layer the defences. Fit deadlocks or slam locks to the load doors, which are often the weak point, and a steering wheel or pedal lock for the cab. A lock on the OBD port stops thieves programming a new key. Take tools out overnight where you can, or use a bolted-down tool vault, and mark tools with your postcode. A Thatcham-approved tracker helps police recover a stolen van, and many van insurers ask for one on high-risk models.
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