A stolen car usually ends up being used for joyriding and then abandoned, taken to a "chop shop" for parts, re-VIN'd and resold, or shipped overseas, with outcomes varying from recovery in good condition to being stripped or destroyed; most are recovered, but often damaged, with thieves primarily seeking quick transport or profit from parts.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau found that more than 85 percent of stolen passenger vehicles were recovered, but that success rate depends heavily on the reporting time, as the Bureau states that cars reported within 24 hours have a significantly higher chance of being found.
In most states, auto theft will be a felony. Penalties for auto theft may increase as the value of the car increases. For the passenger riding in the stolen or joyride vehicle, the severity of the penalty often depends on the degree of the passenger's involvement in the crime.
Joint vehicle crime project
In recent years, Canada has emerged as a key source country for stolen motor vehicles, in part given its large supply of sought-after high value models such as SUVs and crossovers. Many of the vehicles are shipped to the Middle East and West Africa, where they are then traded or re-sold.
If you're still making payments, tell your lender immediately and give them the police report number. A stolen car doesn't cancel your loan — you're still on the hook for payments until the balance is cleared.
Claims can take a long time to settle but Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules say that your insurer must either make a reasonable offer of settlement within three months. There can be delays in settling the claim if neither side admits liability or if the claim isn't fully quantified.
If your car is stolen, you should file a claim with your insurance company. As long as you have comprehensive coverage, vehicle theft should be covered. If the car is later recovered after the claim has been paid, it's the insurance company's property.
Thieves often avoid high-end vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and newer BMWs because they are more difficult to steal, easily tracked, and too risky to sell or strip. These cars often come with multi-layered security systems, making them less attractive targets.
More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered. Once you've provided information to the police, they can create a report.
Here are the 10 most stolen vehicles of 2023 by make and model:
You can drive a short distance without using a key fob in some cars (some key jobs can operate more than 30 to 50 feet), and if you expect to drive farther than that, you have to use your key. Normally, drivers can continue driving until they turn off the ignition system.
Hagan wrote that, "Probably the most important factor in the rate of motor vehicle theft is the number of motor vehicles per capita in the country." Using data supplied by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, New Zealand had the highest auto-theft rate for any fairly large country in the world, at 954.0 per ...
My car was stolen, who do I call? If the car was stolen within the last 15 minutes call 911 emergency dispatch. If it's been longer than 15 minutes you should call the non-emergency dispatch number for your area.
These robust security measures make Volvo vehicles less appealing to car thieves. While Tesla vehicles are known for their security, some BMW models also stand the test of time in terms of durability and reliability.
Approximately 86% of the stolen vehicles are recovered. The vast majority of auto thefts are committed by criminals looking for temporary transportation. Thus, most vehicles are recovered within a few weeks to a month and with relatively little damage. Very few vehicles are stolen for parts.
The full top 10 list as reported by Équité:
Less than 15% of stolen vehicles are ever recovered
One of the most disturbing findings is the consistently poor recovery rate for stolen vehicles. Between 2022 and 2025, only 45,195 vehicles were recovered from the 342,496 stolen. Across the period, this is a recovery rate of just 13.35%.
The frequency of whole-vehicle theft claims for the standard Camaro was 13 times as high as the average. “Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
What are some signs that a vehicle for sale may be a stolen vehicle?
What Are the Safest Cars?
The least stolen cars are ones with bright colours such as orange, green, yellow, and pink. This is because they're uncommon, easy to notice, and hard to sell. Car thieves tend to go for vehicles in common colours, such as white, grey, and black.
Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even while driving. Unlocked doors are easy targets. When parked, never leave your keys in the car. Ensure windows are fully closed to prevent a thief from trying to open the door from the inside.
Yes, some car insurance policies can cover theft, but it depends on the type of coverage you have. Here's how it typically breaks down: A stolen vehicle is typically covered with comprehensive car insurance. If your car isn't recovered, or if it's damaged when recovered, comprehensive insurance usually covers it.
Comprehensive insurance is the only type of vehicle insurance that compensates you for a stolen car. If you don't have this type of insurance, you'll have to pay for damages to your car unless you can get compensation from the thief.
Once the thief is apprehended, they may face criminal charges for any damages or injuries. But even with a captured thief, the owner's insurance is important since comprehensive insurance allows filing claims for theft-related damages.