Drivers of popular family car warned over seat theft risk in France

The drivers of a popular model of family car are being warned to be vigilant after a spate of thefts in France targeting the vehicle's rear seats.

Both police and insurance firms have noted an increase in cases affecting the Citroën C3, according to consumer rights association UFC-Que Choisir.

A car mechanic told the organisation that the most likely reason for the thefts is to convert commercial utility versions of the C3 back to five-seaters, which can then be sold privately as family cars. 

In January, two people were sentenced to prison time for stealing rear car seats in Seine-et-Marne. They had already been convicted in September 2024 for the same offence. 

One of the defendants told the court they had made €10,000 profit from selling approximately 30 seats, according to Le Parisien. 

Used C3 rear seats can fetch up to €400 on classified ads website LeBonCoin.

Facebook groups

Many C3 owners who have fallen victim to rear seat theft are sharing the incidents on Facebook via groups such as National 2 Infos, which provides traffic information and news for the Ile-de-France area. 

One user, who had recently had their C3 seats stolen, described the town of Othis, north-east of Paris, as a “spare parts supermarket”.

Another Facebook user in Essonne Actualités (91) claimed they had had their C3 rear seats stolen twice in 2024, and suggested these kinds of thefts were easier now that communes switch off their street lighting at night. 

Commenters said two-seater business versions of the C3 could be bought cheaply at car auctions and sold privately for a profit after adding the rear seats.

With the long delays for replacement parts from Citroën, affected owners are having to wait months for new seats.