Thieves targeting Lexus cars as Range Rover thefts plummet

Five Lexus models were among the top 10 cars most likely to be stolen in 2024, according to government data – and the Range Rover, previously a high-profile target for car thieves, is now among the most protected.

Last year, more than 61,000 cars were stolen across the UK. The Ford Fiesta – the country’s most popular second-hand car, with 306,207 sales in 2024 – topped the table for overall number of thefts, at 4719.

However, new analysis of the latest DVLA data, which ranks stolen cars as a proportion of the total number registered, paints an alternative picture.

It reveals the Lexus ES 300 as the model most likely to be stolen in 2024, with one in 30 taken. It is followed by the Lexus RX 450 and Mercedes GLS, both one in 39.

The other Lexus models in a top 10 dominated by slightly older and relatively low-volume, higher-value cars are the LC 500 (fifth place, one in 55), the UX 250 (sixth, one in 62) and the NX 300 (eighth, one in 75).

Applying the same analysis to the Fiesta ranks the model in 312th place.

According to the analysis by PR agency Loop, Lexus is the second-most-likely brand to be stolen (one in 120) after Abarth (one in 116). 

The Abarth most likely to be stolen is the 595, with a one-in-87 chance, ranking it ninth in the model table.

A spokesman for Toyota premium brand Lexus said: “Toyota GB has invested millions of pounds in a variety of security solutions. Our anti-theft measures form part of a nationwide customer care offering.

“For example, at a cost of more than £10 million to Lexus, selected customers were provided with a free Tracker vehicle location service. As a result, a 96% recovery rate has been achieved. We have subsequently rolled out Tracker installation as an option for buyers of certain models.”

Following similar incidents of theft, JLR updated security software for its new and existing vehicles last year. As a result, having previously been among the most stolen models, the Range Rover now ranks 52nd in the table of cars most likely to be stolen, behind other premium SUVs such as the Bentley Bentayga (36th) and Mercedes GLS (third).

“Lexus is making considerable efforts to protect its customers’ cars but JLR suffered a rise in thefts sooner than it and so has had more time to react and develop solutions,” said Clive Wain, head of police liaison at Tracker. “However, its cars are still being stolen. There is a thriving market overseas for Lexus, JLR and other premium vehicles and we recover many at docksides. Until this export market ends, recovering these vehicles will remain an ongoing programme for us.”