Data reveals the favourite colour of UK car thieves

What car colour has the most thefts?

Black is the most popular colour amongst stolen car, with 5,434 thefts in 2024 — more than 14 every day — and grey takes second place with 4,450.

This is no surprise considering grey and black are two of the most popular colours for new cars in the UK.

In fact, grey has been the most popular new car colour for seven years in a row according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

While we can’t know exactly why black cars are the most targeted, there are a few reasons we can think of.

Almost all car manufactures offer black and grey as colour options, meaning there are probably more black and grey vehicles in the UK than most other colours. In particular, black is often the default colour for many luxury and executive vehicle models.

Resale value is also something most thieves consider when they pick their target. Vehicles that are ‘safe’ colours, like black, grey and white, tend to preserve their value better than bolder colours that may be less popular or stand out more.

Finally, it might be considered easier to steal black vehicles because they are less conspicuous and at night are less visible so thieves can get away with less chance of detection.

What vehicle make is most popular among thieves?

The most popular vehicle make among thieves is Mercedes-Benz. There were 2,460 Mercedes-Benz vehicles stolen in 2024 – more than 6 every day in the UK – with BMW and Ford coming second and third in the ranking with more than 2,100 thefts each.

Mercedes-Bens is a well-known luxury brand, which makes it a particularly tempting target for thieves who are likely to get good value when they sell it on.

Unfortunately for Mercedes-Benz owners, these thefts may be having a direct impact on the cost of their car insurance.

BMW is the second most common stolen car, which makes sense considering in 2024 the BMW group was the leading manufacturer of the premium vehicle segment, thanks in part to the growing popularity of their electric models.

Keep insurance costs low by comparing

While a higher risk of theft will add to car insurance premiums, insurers take more than just make and colour into consideration. You can still save money on your policy, even if you car is a more popular target for thieves.

By comparing policies with us, you can find great deals and check out our money saving tips to shave some pounds off your premiums.

_{Based on all cars which were recorded as stolen by the DVLA, between 1 February 2024 and 31 January 2025, broken down by make and colour.}

_{*Based on MoneySuperMarket consumer data, policies sold between 01/01/2024 and 31/12/2024 for Mercedes-Benz vehicles}

_{**Average vehicle value overall in 2024 based on MoneySuperMarket data was £9,568. Average given vehicle value for Mercedes Benz £14,374}