DVLA Lost or Stolen data analysed by QuestGates shows UK car thefts fell in 2025, with private car thefts down 13% and recovery rates improving. For UK ATFs, this means slightly less theft-derived salvage, but strong demand continues for parts from 5–10-year-old Fords, BMWs and other high-volume models, where provenance and compliance remain critical.
New analysis of DVLA Lost or Stolen (LoS) data by the UK’s largest owner-managed loss adjusting and claims solutions group, QuestGates suggests UK car theft volumes fell in 2025, with more vehicles recovered and fewer written off. For UK ATFs and vehicle recyclers, the figures point to a modest easing of theft-driven salvage flows, but continued demand for parts from older, mass-market models.
Theft volumes down, especially for private cars
QuestGates’ review of DVLA LoS data shows “all vehicle” thefts fell by 11.36%, from 102,240 in 2024 to 90,625 in 2025. When motorcycles, vans, HGVs and other vehicle types are stripped out, private car thefts dropped even further, down 13.30% from 61,857 in 2024 to 53,629 last year.
Philip Swift, Technical Director – Motor at QuestGates, said:
“The top two most stolen makes, Ford and BMW, remain the same as in 2024. Toyota replaced Land Rover in third, with the latter seeing almost 30% less thefts. The most stolen models are all best-sellers, on average around 8 years old, indicating that they are being targeted for parts.
The percentage of stolen cars successfully recovered increased from 42.48% to 44.94%, while the average time from theft to recovery reduced, from 27.1 days in 2024 to 25.6% last year. Less recovered cars were subsequently deemed total losses, with reductions across all four write-off categories. The findings will be welcomed by insurers, brokers and claims professionals.
We will be looking at the regional variations in more depth over the coming weeks, using this and other datasets. However, it is clear already that Sussex, Leicestershire and Devon & Cornwall police constabularies deserve praise for achieving both substantial car theft reductions and improvements in recovery rates.”
The most stolen models in 2025 were the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, familiar names in both the UK car parc and ATF yards.
Older, high-volume models in the firing line
QuestGates notes that stolen vehicles are typically around eight years old, new enough to command strong parts values, but old enough that security systems may be less sophisticated than on today’s models.
That pattern matters for legitimate dismantlers. It underlines persistent demand for quality recycled parts from high-volume platforms such as Fiesta, Focus and Golf, but also highlights the ongoing risk of competition from stolen-parts channels. For UK ATFs supplying green parts, clear provenance, grading and traceability remain key differentiators when insurers and repairers are under pressure to cut cycle times and costs.
Recoveries up, fewer write-offs
QuestGates’ analysis also suggests outcomes are improving when thefts do occur.
Higher recovery rates and quicker average recovery times typically mean fewer total loss settlements and more vehicles being repaired rather than entering salvage. Over time, that can translate into a slightly smaller pool of late-plate theft salvage feeding ATFs, even as overall ELV volumes from age-related scrappage remain strong.
QuestGates also flagged early regional standouts, with Sussex, Leicestershire and Devon & Cornwall constabularies achieving both substantial theft reductions and improved recovery rates.
For UK vehicle recyclers, the DVLA trends point to several practical implications:
Slight easing of theft-derived salvage: Fewer thefts and better recoveries mean marginally less volume of high-value stolen/recovered stock becoming total loss.
Continued opportunity in 5–10-year-old cars: Thieves’ focus on mainstream, 8-year-old models mirrors strong demand from repairers and policyholders for good-quality used parts from this age band.
Provenance and compliance as selling points: With parts theft clearly still active, legitimate ATFs can use robust documentation, stock traceability and certification to reassure insurers and bodyshops.
Local policing performance matters: Stronger theft and recovery performance in some police areas can influence the flow and mix of salvage vehicles regionally.
QuestGates findings are based on DVLA data obtained via Freedom of Information and may not capture the entire picture. Even so, the direction of travel is clear: less theft overall, better outcomes when it does happen, and an ongoing role for UK ATFs in supplying trusted, traceable parts into the repair chain while staying firmly on the right side of the line that separates regulated recycling from criminality.
Sources www.questgates.co.uk www.insurancebusinessmag.com
Further reading on ATF Professional (2025–2026)
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£11.9 billion paid out in 2025 to support motorists across 2.5 million claims
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Record total loss rates: a green opportunity for recycled parts and sustainable repair strategies
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Copart UK responds to ABP State of the Industry Report 2025
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House of Lords presses Defra for timelines and tougher action on ‘low-risk, high-reward’ waste crime
