Cyprus ranks fifth for stolen luxury cars from Britain, DR Congo top the list

Cyprus ranks among the top five destinations for stolen vehicles from Britain, research reveals.

The island accounted for 6.7% of stolen vehicles recovered between 2021 and 2024, according to research by Thatcham Research in partnership with Britain’s National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS). 

The Democratic Republic of Congo topped the list at 38.5%, followed by the United Arab Emirates at 20.1%, Cyprus at 6.7%, Jamaica at 5.7%, and Georgia at 5.1%.

The research maps the main routes organised criminal networks use to traffic premium SUVs and parts worldwide.

Geographic position makes Cyprus transit hub for stolen vehicles

Cyprus’s geographic position plays a key role as an intermediate station for transporting vehicles and parts to the Middle East and North Africa, according to the research. Both Cyprus and Jamaica drive on the left, a significant factor for trafficking stolen British vehicles.

The high specifications of British vehicles make them particularly attractive for the Cypriot market, where availability of used right-hand-drive cars is limited. Cyprus also serves as a gateway for reselling parts or re-exporting them to other Mediterranean destinations.

Jamaica has imposed tariffs on imported cars, making the trade more profitable, the research notes.

The Democratic Republic of Congo ranks as the number one destination for stolen vehicles due to its central position on the African continent, its port and its borders with nine other countries. Floods in the United Arab Emirates last April are believed to have driven increased thefts of a popular SUV model, with criminal organisations exploiting the shortage of vehicles and parts through official channels.

Georgia also represents a major destination, likely due to strict sanctions and the departure of official dealerships from the country, which increase demand for vehicles and parts in neighbouring Russia. The conflict in the region has also changed the types of vehicles targeted by thieves, with truck thefts rising to 16.78% in 2024 from 4.71% the previous year.

One vehicle stolen every five minutes in Britain during 2024

Despite Britain having one of the highest vehicle security standards in the world, one vehicle was stolen every five minutes in 2024. Premium and luxury manufacturers accounted for 52% of seized vehicles, whilst 79% were SUVs.

British insurance companies paid out £640 million in compensation for stolen vehicles in 2024.

Thatcham Research chief of research Richard Billyeald said criminal gangs now have better funding, specialised electronic equipment and international connections. He said increasing vehicle security will not tackle the problem alone, stressing that cooperation between government services, vehicle manufacturers and insurance companies is required to combat the phenomenon.