Toyota is once again the most stolen car brand in the Netherlands

We’ll start with good news, because there is that too. In 2023, 5,844 passenger cars were stolen in the Netherlands. That is still 5,844 too many, but it is 11 percent fewer than in 2022. No less than 47 percent of them were recovered. The recovery percentage has never been this high in 10 years. However, more commercial vehicles were stolen in the Netherlands last year. The thieves’ guild unlawfully borrowed 1,783 light commercial vehicles, 5 percent more than in 2022.

One in five stolen cars is a Toyota

In 2022, Toyota dethroned Volkswagen as the most stolen car brand in the Netherlands. Toyota has the dubious honor of retaining that title in 2023. Last year, 1,166 Toyotas were stolen in the Netherlands. This means that no less than 20 percent – one in five – of all cars stolen in the Netherlands in 2023 were of the Japanese brand. Just like in 2022, the Toyota RAV4 was by far the most stolen car in the Netherlands (612 units). The chance that a RAV4 will be stolen is 1 in 63, as LIV calculates. The Toyota CH-R is in second place. The chance that a CH-R will be stolen is 1:113 according to the LIV. The majority of Toyotas stolen last year (83 percent) have a (plug-in) hybrid or electric powertrain. 44 percent of the stolen Toyotas were recovered. Volkswagen is the second most popular brand among the thieves’ guild, just like in 2022. 797 Volkswagens were stolen last year, one percent more than last year. Mercedes-Benz is the brand from which the most light commercial vehicles have been stolen.

The recovery rate has increased from 41 percent to 47 percent since 2019. According to the LIV, the Stolen Vehicle Reporting Desk has contributed to this. Also the fact that modern cars come in higher sizes connected than before, plays a role according to the LIV.

Most stolen car brands – 2023

Most stolen cars – 2023

Blackout

Then there is a special form of theft: embezzlement. This concerns vehicles that have been borrowed, rented or leased but are not returned to the owner. Embezzlement occurred in 1,278 of the 5,844 cars stolen last year. “You don’t have to hack a darkened vehicle, you get an original key and sometimes even an original registration certificate. It gives criminals time to drive through Europe unhindered and sell the vehicle, possibly with false or forged papers, to an unsuspecting buyer ,” said Rudi Welling, manager at LIV. “The leasing or rental company often only discovers this after some time. Part of the problem and the solution lies in the unrecognizability of these vehicles in the license plate registration, so we would like to draw attention to better registration of ownership and driver in Europe.”

Car models with the highest risk of theft