In 2025, tens of thousands of cars were stolen in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium. Who are the biggest victims, how do thieves operate, what is the role of car transport and where do the vehicles disappear to? An analysis per country, including the top 10 most stolen models.
Car theft in Europe: no longer a crime of opportunity
Car theft remains a persistent problem in 2025. It is no longer the work of a lone opportunistic thief armed with a screwdriver. Today, it involves well-organised networks that steal and move vehicles at lightning speed, often without leaving a trace. A car parked outside your home in the evening may already be on its way to Ghana or Lithuania by the next morning.
In this blog, we take a closer look at four European countries: the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium. We examine how cars are stolen, which models disappear most frequently, the role of car transport, and what happens to vehicles once they are taken.
The Netherlands: keyless theft and containers to Ghana
Situation in 2025
The Netherlands recorded a 12% increase in car thefts, with 7,497 passenger cars stolen. Modern vehicles with keyless entry proved particularly vulnerable. The Toyota RAV4 was the most stolen model for the third year in a row. As the Dutch Vehicle Crime Insurance Bureau (VbV) notes:
“A large proportion of these cars end up in Ghana, which serves as a gateway to Gabon, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.”
Top 10 most stolen cars in the Netherlands
Toyota RAV4
Kia Sportage
Fiat 500
Volkswagen Polo VI
Toyota C-HR
Volkswagen Golf VIII
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Toyota Yaris Cross
Toyota Corolla Cross
Renault Captur
What happens to stolen vehicles?
A significant proportion is shipped to West Africa in containers, mainly via the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. In 2025 alone, 126 vehicles equipped with trackers were recovered in Ghana. Other cars are dismantled and sold for parts in Eastern Europe. In total, 913 Dutch vehicles were recovered abroad.
Germany: luxury SUVs on their way to Eastern Europe and Asia
Situation in 2025
With around 14,000 vehicles stolen each year, Germany remains an attractive target for thieves. Expensive SUVs and saloons, in particular, are trafficked to Poland, Lithuania and further afield to Asia and Africa. In Hamburg, a network smuggling Land Rovers and Porsche Macans to Lithuania was dismantled in 2024.
Top 10 most stolen cars in Germany
Toyota Land Cruiser
Lexus (Toyota) NX
Lexus (Toyota) UX
Range Rover (various models, including Sport)
Toyota RAV4
Kia Stinger
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Porsche 911
BMW X6
What happens to stolen vehicles?
Cars are often transported by land to Eastern Europe, but there are also routes to Africa and Southeast Asia. Vehicles disappear in containers via Hamburg or Bremerhaven, bound for Thailand, the Gulf region or North Africa. German SUVs are highly valued worldwide, which drives up black market prices.
France: popular models disappear via Marseille and Le Havre
Situation in 2025
France recorded more than 140,000 vehicle thefts in 2024. Perpetrators mainly target areas near major trade routes. Marseille leads the rankings, followed by Lyon and Lille. French models are particular favourites: easy to resell and in high demand for parts.
(photo: digitpol.com)
Top 10 most stolen cars in France
Renault Clio V
Toyota RAV4
Peugeot 208 II
Lexus NX
Renault Captur
DS 7 Crossback
Toyota C-HR
Fiat 500
Peugeot 3008
Volkswagen Golf VIII
What happens to stolen vehicles?
Vehicles are shipped to Senegal, Ghana and Gambia via Le Havre, Marseille and Antwerp. Other cars are driven via Spain to Morocco or Algeria. In 2025, police in Paris uncovered a network that stole dozens of SUVs and shipped them to West Africa via Antwerp.
Belgium: springboard for exports to Africa
Situation in 2025
Belgium recorded more than 5,800 vehicle thefts. Its biggest role, however, is as a transit country. In East Flanders, police discovered a warehouse filled with stolen vehicles from France and the Netherlands. Antwerp repeatedly proves to be a key springboard for exports.
Top 10 most stolen cars in Belgium
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Polo
Toyota RAV4
Renault Clio
Opel Corsa
Ford Fiesta
Citroën Berlingo
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Renault Mégane
Citroën C3
What happens to stolen vehicles?
Many vehicles are prepared for shipment via Antwerp to Senegal and Gambia. In 2025, sixty stolen vehicles were intercepted before disappearing into containers. Other cars are transported via Spain to North Africa or absorbed into Eastern European criminal networks.
The role of car transport in car theft
The role of professional car transport in organised car theft is limited. Nevertheless, vehicle transport is not entirely risk-free, particularly at vulnerable moments during the process. The main risks arise not while driving, but during transfer moments such as loading and unloading, when vehicles are temporarily stationary and multiple parties are involved.
Criminal networks attempt to exploit these moments by creating confusion around ownership, documentation or keys. That is why TransConnect’s procedures are specifically designed to prevent theft during transport, with particular attention to loading and unloading. Strict verification of carriers and drivers, fixed transfer protocols, clear vehicle identification and continuous monitoring of deviations in the process significantly reduce the risk of theft at these critical moments.
Conclusion: European car thieves are well organised
The data from 2025 confirm what many had already suspected: car theft is no longer a local issue, but a highly organised, international industry. Criminals know exactly which models they want. SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4, Land Cruiser and Peugeot 3008, in particular, disappear quickly and often for good.
The logistics behind these thefts are sophisticated and efficient. Vehicles are shipped to Africa via Antwerp or Marseille, or driven through Poland and Lithuania towards the Baltic States, Russia or Asia. What begins as a seemingly simple street theft often ends in a container on another continent.
For car owners, dealers and leasing companies, this means prevention must go beyond a solid lock. It requires vigilance across the entire chain, continuous monitoring and cross-border cooperation. Because to block the thief’s path, one must first understand how he operates and stay one step ahead.
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