No curve climbs as fast as that of car thefts in France: 2025 confirms, with figures to back it up, that certain models attract much more than just admiring glances. While manufacturers perfect locks and flood dashboards with electronics, thieves have never stopped innovating. The latest official reports show a strong focus on recent vehicles, packed with gadgets, but not always invulnerable. The disparities are glaring from one region to another. Between street parking in Marseille and secure garages in the Paris suburbs, the difference is measured in insurance contracts. Companies now no longer settle for generalities: advice and rates are adjusted to the millimeter, according to ground trends.
Which car models are most targeted by thieves in 2025?
The theft of vehicles in France strikes where the car fleet is rapidly renewing: the latest city cars and SUVs monopolize the attention of criminals. According to France Assureurs, the list of affected models leaves no room for chance: the Clio, Peugeot, and Toyota RAV4 resurface year after year. Among the main findings of the latest report, there is a clear rise in SUV theft, a phenomenon that shows no signs of weakening.
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Inevitably, certain regions stand out as prime targets: Île-de-France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and the Lyon area concentrate an impressive share of incidents. The forces at play use a range of techniques from simple lock picking to very methodical exploitation of electronic vulnerabilities. As a result, statistics still pin the Renault Clio IV at the top, followed by the Peugeot 3008 and the robust Toyota RAV4. The resale chains for spare parts are running at full speed, fueled by the parallel market.
To illustrate this reality, here are the vehicles most cited in the latest statistics for 2025:
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- Renault Clio IV: omnipresent across the territory, it attracts thieves as much for its widespread availability as for the ease of reselling its parts.
- Peugeot 3008: a popular SUV, its success in dealerships logically attracts organized groups.
- Toyota RAV4: valued for its reliability and the high resale value of its components abroad.
Mouse jacking, this keyless access hacking, is now the method of choice: it often takes just a few minutes to steal a vehicle, given the right conditions. German brands remain among the targets, but it is indeed the French ones that dominate this unfortunate ranking.
Concrete measures and advice to reduce the risk of your vehicle being stolen
In the face of this persistent increase in vehicle thefts in 2025, every driver must equip themselves with appropriate reflexes, regardless of the size or segment of their car. “Traditional devices no longer really scare thieves,” summarizes Benoît Leclair, a security expert for a major insurance company.
Make theft more difficult, slow down the thieves
Here are several concrete measures to apply without hesitation to thwart the plans of criminals:
- Choose a visible mechanical anti-theft device, such as a steering wheel lock or pedal lock: a simple constraint that discourages at first glance.
- Invest in a discreet GPS tracker: in case of theft, precisely locating your vehicle becomes more realistic, and insurance companies appreciate this precaution.
- Park in well-lit and busy areas. Monitored parking lots, especially in Paris, Marseille, or Lyon, significantly reduce the chances of loss.
The technological aspect also deserves full attention: in the age of connected cars, neglecting software updates is like leaving your door ajar. Using an anti-wave pouch for your electronic keys proves remarkably effective against mouse jacking, which is considered to be rapidly expanding by Stéphane Curtelin, a digital crime expert.
On the side of car insurance, the game is being adjusted: depending on the municipalities and models, rates and conditions vary widely. In Auvergne, the relative calm of the sector does not allow for any negligence, and many insurers now require certified devices to guarantee compensation after theft. Vigilance, now, is no longer limited to turning the key.
Now, owners and criminals compete around technology, but it is foresight and everyday ingenuity that make the difference. The struggle never really stops, because the value of a vehicle on the gray market is also in perpetual rise.