Vehicles
46 | MAY 2026
Vehicles
FORD TRANSIT 350 NAMED UK’ S MOST STOLEN VAN IN NEW STUDY
Van thefts across the UK fell by 16 % from 2024 to 2025, with the frequency of incidents slowing from one every 44 minutes in 2024 to every 52 minutes in 2025, according to the latest DVLA data obtained via a Freedom of Information request.
Despite the overall downward trend, high-demand commercial models, essential for tradespeople, remain a primary target for theft based on new analysis by Tempcover, experts in temporary van insurance.
Ford Vans Dominate UK Van Theft Figures
Ford accounted for the highest volume of thefts during the two-year period of 2024 and 2025, with over 11,700 thefts recorded. This represents 53 % of all recorded van thefts- almost four times the total of the second most targeted make, Mercedes-Benz( 2,935).
However, this volume likely reflects Ford’ s strong market presence. With 31,936 new registrations in 2025( 38 % market share)[ 1 ], the prevalence of Ford vans in theft data is indicative of the high volume on UK roads and subsequent exposure to risk. [ See table top right ]
Ford Transits Most Targeted by Thieves
The Ford Transit 350 was the UK’ s most stolen van model, with 1,309 incidents in 2024 and 2025 combined, accounting for around 6 % of all van thefts over the period. Ford Transit variants feature heavily across the top ten most stolen models, alongside the Mercedes Sprinter.
Across the two years, the Ford Transit Custom 300 Base had the largest theft increase among the top 10 models, rising 60.87 %. In comparison, the Ford Transit 100 T280 FWD saw the largest fall(-46.50 %).
Rank Make
Vans Stolen 2024
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Vans Stolen 2025
% Change 24-25
Total Vans Stolen( 24 & 25)
1 Ford 6.338 5,371-15.26 % 11,709
2
Mercedes- Benz
1,741 1,194-31.42 % 2,935
3 Peugeot 876 709-19.06 % 1,585 4 Vauxhall 774 738-4.65 % 1,512 5 Citroen 753 670-11.02 % 1,423 6 Volkswagen 534 474-11.24 % 1,008 7 Renault 400 363-9.25 % 763 8 Fiat 213 200-6.10 % 413 9 Nissan 86 62-27.91 % 148 10 Iveco 73 53-27.40 % 126
Rank
Vehicle Keeper’ s Postcode
Vans Stolen 2024
Vans Stolen 2025
% Change 24-25
Total Vans Stolen( 24 & 25)
1 B( Birmingham) 797 649-18.57 % 1,446 2 S( Sheffield) 384 311-19.01 % 695 3 GU( Guildford) 341 236-30.79 % 577 4 BS( Bristol) 287 270-5.92 % 557 5 WS( Walsall) 276 219-20.65 % 495 6 LS( Leeds) 258 222-13.95 % 480 7 SL( Slough) 269 193-28.25 % 462 8 M( Manchester) 241 170-29.46 % 411
9
10
NG( Nottingham)
WV( Wolverhampton)
217 167-23.04 % 384
204 171-16.18 % 375
[ 1 ] https:// www. smmt. co. uk / vehicle-data / lcv-registrations /, [ 2 ] https:// www. whatvan. co. uk / news / more-vans-than-ever-before-on-uk-roads-smmt-reports /? cf-view
Rank Make Model
Vans Stolen 2024
Vans Stolen 2025
% Change 24-25
Total Vans Stolen( 24 & 25)
1 Ford Transit 350 677 632-6.65 % 1,309
2
3
Mercedes- Benz
Mercedes- Benz
4 Ford
5 Ford
6 Ford
7 Ford
8 Ford
9 Ford
10 Ford
Sprinter 313 CDI
Sprinter 314 CDI
Transit Custom 290 Eco-Tech
Transit 350 Leader Ecoblue
Transit Custom 270 Eco-Tech
Transit Custom 300 Base
Transit 125 T350 RWD
Transit Custom 300 Leader Eblue
Transit 100 T280 FWD
613 378-38.34 % 991
579 383-33.85 % 962
332 245-26.20 % 577
216 278 28.70 % 494
204 172-15.69 % 376
138 222 60.87 % 360
202 120-40.59 % 322
169 147-13.02 % 316
200 107-46.50 % 307
Outside the top 10, among vans with over 100 thefts over the same period, the Ford Transit Custom 300 Trend saw the largest increase, rising from 49 thefts in 2024 to 116 in 2025( 136.73 %). [ See table to the left ]
White Vans Top Theft List And Are Disproportionately Targeted
The data highlights a significant disparity in vehicle colour, with white vans accounting for 73 % of all thefts in the last two years. Across 2024 and 2025, 16,121 white vans were stolen- more than seven times higher than the next most frequent target, silver( 2,140). Grey( 1,286), blue( 920), and black( 818) vans follow, but at significantly lower levels.
While white is the most common van colour, representing more than half of all vans in 2024, the theft rate of 73 % suggests these vehicles are being targeted at a rate that exceeds their market share [ 2 ].
Van Thefts Vary by Region
The data also reveals that van thefts are not evenly spread across the UK, with certain areas seeing significantly higher volumes, although this is largely influenced by population size and vehicle density. The( B) Birmingham postcode area recorded the highest volume over the last two years( 1,446), followed by( S) Sheffield( 695), and( GU) Guildford( 577). [ See table above ]
The Danger Months: Van Theft Spikes
While overall thefts fell from 11,962 in 2024 to 10,013 in 2025, monthly trends reveal specific peaks throughout the year. In 2024, thefts peaked in January( 1,276), followed by March( 1,087) and April( 1,067). In 2025, the highest levels were recorded in October( 912), November( 876), and July( 871).
Despite the 16 % year-on-year decline, van theft remains a persistent issue- a trend that underlines both the progress made and the ongoing risk to van owners and tradespeople.