Birmingham has been identified as the worst place in the country for car theft rates, with Coventry and Wolverhampton also ranking among the top 10 hotspots, according to the latest Home Office data.
The figures, covering 2025, reveal that 11,801 thefts were recorded in Birmingham, equivalent to 997 thefts per 100,000 residents. This means almost one in every thousand people in the city fell victim to vehicle crime during the year.
Regional rankings and theft rates
Coventry, located just a few miles away, was ranked fourth nationally, with 768 thefts per 100,000 people. Wolverhampton secured eighth place, though the report does not specify its exact rate.
The data highlights a significant regional concentration of car crime, with three Midlands cities appearing in the national top 10. This places the West Midlands among the worst-affected areas in the UK for vehicle theft.
Most targeted car models
The report also sheds light on which car models thieves are increasingly targeting. Toyota, BMW, and Mercedes models are among the most frequently stolen, according to the analysis.
Ford has long been the UK's most stolen car brand, and that trend continues. However, in the West Midlands, thefts of Ford vehicles are on a declining trend, while Toyota thefts have risen compared to previous years. This suggests criminals are actively shifting their focus to these specific models.
Public concern reflected in search data
The analysis also found that Birmingham residents make around 6,070 vehicle theft-related searches each month, equating to 512.8 searches per 100,000 residents. This high volume of searches reflects genuine concern among drivers about the risk of theft.
Matt Clamp, motoring expert at Scrap Car Comparison, commented on the findings: "The search volumes tell us this is a real, lived concern for drivers."
Impact on vehicle values
Clamp also highlighted the financial consequences of car theft, even for those who recover their vehicles. "From the vehicles we inspect and value, we know that a theft marker can have a lasting impact," he said.
"Buyers are understandably cautious about hidden damage or tampered components. If the vehicle ends up with a salvage marker following an insurance claim, the devaluation becomes even more severe, we typically see values drop by around 30%."
This devaluation adds to the distress of victims, who may face significant financial losses even if their vehicle is recovered intact.
