Car part thefts on rise in France: Item stolen every five minutes

Thieves are continuing to target vehicles for car parts as resell values become ever-more lucrative in France.

Headlights, wheels and catalytic converters are among the most common items stolen.

More than 96,000 complaints over stolen car parts were filed last year according to data from the Service statistique ministériel de la sécurité intérieure, provided on behalf of French police and gendarmerie. 

This equates to a theft roughly every five minutes, although this tally is likely higher as it is accepted that a number of crimes are not reported to police.

This figure has increased 10% in the last 12 months and some 25% in the last four years, with the increase in car part prices considered to be the driving force behind the crime wave. 

Parts are sold online using virtual marketplaces such as Leboncoin, offered at lower-than-retail prices to entice buyers. Often they are sold and bought for the metal they contain.

In some cases, they are shipped overseas where parts are also in demand. 

Headlights, wheels, exhaust pipes among most common items stolen

The most common items that are stolen by thieves are: 

• Headlights (35% of cases) 

• Catalytic converters and other exhaust pipes (20% of cases) 

• Wheels and rims (18% of cases)

Cars of all models, ages, and price points are targeted, as essentially any part of the vehicle not connected to the main body can be taken off and stolen. 

Car brands such as Renault and Citroën are popular targets due to the potential number of customers for the stolen parts in France.

Last year, reports of thieves targeting car bumpers, were not uncommon. 

More recently, Citroën C3 are being targeted for their car seats.

Catalytic converters are targeted because of the metals they contain, including rhodium which is significantly more valuable than gold. 

However prices have dropped for some of these metals since reaching a peak in 2021.

Older petrol cars are often targeted as the catalytic converters are fitted after vehicles were first produced, making them easier to access and dismantle. 

Newer vehicles have converters built in as standard, usually closer to the engine and significantly more difficult to reach, making it less worthwhile for thieves to target. 

Improvements in technology also mean they contain lower amounts of rare metals, meaning they are worth less when broken down and sold.

If your converter is stolen, your vehicle is immediately unroadworthy, as it pollutes too much without the exhaust in place and breaks noise limits. You will need to have the vehicle towed to a garage.

Insurers help fight back

To reduce the risk of car parts being stolen, park your vehicle in a secure area (a closed garage if possible). 

If parking outside, frequently change the vehicle’s location so it does not seem as if it is unused.

You can install an alarm on your vehicle, and some modern variants can link to smartphones via apps.

You will receive a notification when movement (such as your vehicle tilting) is detected, and you can start the alarm remotely using the app, helping to scare off any thieves.

Vehicle insurance will help drivers replace items, but franchise (excess) payments can still total hundreds of euros of out-of-pocket expenses.

In addition, cars may potentially not be used until legitimate spare parts are found – often difficult due to the number of illicit goods flooding the market – leaving drivers stuck.

Some insurance companies now offer small devices that can be attached to vehicles or vehicle parts in the case of theft. 

This allows the part to be tracked, helping police to recoup stolen parts. 

These devices reportedly helped authorities recover around €52 million worth of stolen vehicles and vehicle parts last year.