Popular car models including the Renault Clio and the Peugeot 3008 are among the vehicles most likely to be stolen in France, while electric cars are least likely, new government figures show.
New data show that 125,000 vehicles were stolen in France in 2025, an average of a theft every four minutes. Figures represent a 9% drop compared to 2024.
The car type and model are important factors in whether a vehicle is at risk, just as much as the location in which the car is parked – and it is not only the higher-end vehicles that are targeted.
Cars most at risk
Car theft figures in France show popular models such as the Renault Clio and Peugeot 3008 among the vehicles most frequently targeted.
In fact, some of the most at-risk vehicles are those that are most popular, with smaller ‘city’ cars and compact SUVs the most likely to be taken.
Figures from car theft prevention company Roole also support this trend, with its own 2025 figures showing:
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Renault Clio: 347 thefts
Toyota RAV4: 162
Peugeot 208: 131
Peugeot 3008: 109
These commonly-seen vehicles are stolen more often because not only are their parts in higher demand, but they can be sold more easily than a high-end or rare model.
Similarly, compact SUVs are among the most likely to be exported, as they maintain their value overseas better than smaller hatchbacks.
Cars least at risk
Electric vehicles are the least likely to be stolen. Roole states:
54% of vehicle thefts are of combustion models
36% are hybrid (electric and petrol)
3% are entirely electric vehicles (and 7% of the total were all other types of fuel, e.g. LPG)
Several factors are thought to be the cause of such a difference, including:
91% of the 39 million vehicles in France are still combustion-powered
The spare parts black market still relies on resale value of vehicles and spare parts, particularly for export outside of France
The black market for electric vehicles or their parts is still less developed in comparison to other types of cars
As they become more popular, electric vehicles will naturally become more heavily targeted.
Theft by computer
Regardless of their type, however, modern cars are easier to steal without any visible damage.
This is because their computers or keys can be hacked without any contact, in what is becoming known as “mouse-jacking” (as the systems can be infiltrated with a “computer and computer mouse”).
Owners are recommended to keep keys for modern cars in a Faraday cage box while they are in the house, to avoid thieves from being able to target or clone key fobs from outside. This will prevent thefts via key hacking, at least from outside your home.
