'Car Theft in Germany: 2024 Statistics, High-Risk Regions and Vehicle

The latest complete federal data on car thefts in Germany relate to 2024. They show two different pictures: GDV insurance statistics record 14,162 comprehensive-insured passenger cars stolen, while PKS police statistics cover a broader range of vehicle theft cases, including attempts and unlawful use—30,373 cases.

For an owner, the practical conclusion is that risk depends not only on the brand, but also on the region, vehicle type, parking method, and whether it has Keyless entry. Berlin remains the main centre of insured car thefts, while expensive SUVs and particular Toyota/Lexus models stand out clearly in risk rankings.

Why GDV and BKA figures differ

Car theft statistics cannot be read as one universal table. Different sources count different events:

Source	What it records	What it helps explain
GDV	Thefts of comprehensive-insured passenger cars	Insurance risk, losses, and policy payouts
PKS / BKA	Police cases involving motor vehicle theft, including attempts and unlawful use	The overall criminal burden nationwide
Bundeslagebild Kfz-Kriminalität	Specific aspects of vehicle crime, including cars missing for a long time or permanently	Trends in organised vehicle crime

That is why saying “this many cars were stolen in Germany” without naming the source can be misleading. GDV data matter more for insurance, while PKS and BKA data are more relevant to the crime picture.

GDV insurance statistics for 2024

According to the Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft, 14,162 comprehensive-insured passenger cars were stolen in Germany in 2024. Insurers paid around EUR 293 million, and the average loss per theft was approximately EUR 20,700.

This is slightly lower than in 2023, when GDV recorded 14,585 stolen cars and EUR 312 million in losses. But the level remains high: for the second year in a row, insurance statistics have stayed above 14,000 thefts.

It is important to distinguish two measures:

• the absolute number of thefts—how many cars of a particular brand or model were stolen in total;
• theft frequency—how many thefts occur per 10,000 insured vehicles of that brand or model.

Mass-market brands often top absolute lists simply because there are more of those cars. Theft frequency gives a better indication of the risk to the owner of a particular model.

Which cars are more likely to be at risk

In 2024, GDV specifically noted criminals’ strong interest in expensive SUVs, upper-middle-class models, and premium vehicles. Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus NX, Lexus UX, and other Toyota/Lexus models stood out in the rankings. Certain Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and SUVs from other brands also remain at risk.

According to GDV, Porsche 911 thefts were particularly costly to insurers: the average loss in such cases exceeded EUR 100,000. This does not mean the Porsche 911 is stolen most often, but every insurance claim is very expensive.

Electric cars and hybrids should no longer automatically be considered “uninteresting” to criminals. Risk does not depend on the type of drive alone, but on the vehicle’s value, demand for parts, availability of electronic break-in methods, and region of use.

Where the risk is higher in Germany

GDV’s main regional conclusion remains stable: Berlin is the car-theft leader by a wide margin. In 2024, 3,855 comprehensive-insured cars disappeared there—more than a quarter of all insured car thefts in the country. Berlin had 39 thefts per 10,000 insured cars, while the German average was about 3.

Higher risk was also recorded in Hamburg and Brandenburg. Southern Germany looked calmer on average, although individual states and cities can have local spikes.

For an owner, this means the same vehicle has a different insurance and practical risk in Berlin, Hamburg, Brandenburg, or a small Bavarian town. Where it is parked overnight can sometimes matter more than the brand’s general reputation.

Police statistics: what PKS and BKA show

The 2024 PKS recorded 30,373 cases in the category Diebstahl von Kraftwagen, 1.3% more than in 2023. The clearance rate for this category was 29.2%.

This number is broader than the GDV statistic: police count not only comprehensive-insured cars, but also attempts, unlawful use, and other cases that do not always result in an insurance payout for a vehicle permanently missing.

BKA materials on vehicle crime also highlight the problem of organised groups, international trafficking, the sale of parts, and vehicle misappropriation. For owners, this matters not as criminal theory, but as an explanation of why an expensive car can quickly disappear abroad or be dismantled for parts.

How cars are usually stolen

Classic lock-breaking has not disappeared, but modern car theft often revolves around electronics, keys, and documents. Typical scenarios include:

• Relay attacks on Keyless systems: criminals extend the key signal so that the car believes the owner is nearby.
• Stealing keys from a house or jacket: especially relevant for expensive cars parked close to a home.
• Jamming the locking signal: the driver presses the button, but the car actually remains unlocked.
• Reprogramming or substituting a key: the risk is higher after losing a key, dubious transactions, or an inattentive test drive.
• Dismantling for parts: sometimes criminals make more money selling parts than selling the entire car.
• Unterschlagung: misappropriation of a vehicle during rental, leasing, sale, or a test drive.

ADAC continues to warn that many cars with Keyless systems are easier to steal than vehicles with conventional radio keys. In ADAC tests of more than 800 models, only around 15% were better protected against the relay attack used.

How to reduce the risk of theft

It is impossible to eliminate the risk completely, but it can be reduced substantially. The most practical measures are:

• park the car in a garage or a well-lit place with people nearby;
• always check the doors after locking, especially in shopping-centre car parks;
• do not keep keys near the front door or leave documents in the car;
• for Keyless systems, use a shielding pouch or box and check that it actually blocks the signal;
• if a key is lost, contact a dealer or workshop quickly to have it blocked;
• use visible mechanical protection: a steering-wheel, gearshift, or wheel lock;
• consider a GPS or telematics tracker for expensive vehicles;
• when selling, do not hand over documents and keys until the transaction and payment have been safely completed.

A combination of electronic and mechanical measures works best. A visible lock does not make a vehicle impossible to steal, but it increases the time and risk for criminals.

The role of Teilkasko and Vollkasko

In Germany, vehicle theft is usually covered by Teilkasko or Vollkasko. If you have Vollkasko, theft protection generally already includes the Teilkasko component.

The insurer normally uses the Wiederbeschaffungswert—the cost of buying a comparable vehicle at the time of the theft. The payment may be reduced by the deductible if the policy provides for one.

Teilkasko often covers not only theft of the entire vehicle, but also related damage, for example:

• theft of factory-installed parts;
• damage caused by an attempted break-in;
• broken windows or damage connected with gaining entry to the vehicle.

However, the specific scope of cover depends on the policy terms. Before buying insurance, check how it defines theft, attempted theft, theft of parts, gross negligence, the deductible, and duties after an insured event.

What to do if your car is stolen

If your vehicle disappears, act quickly and document every step:

1. Call the police and file a report.
2. Notify the insurer as soon as possible and ask about the deadline for submitting documents.
3. Keep all keys, documents, correspondence, photographs, and parking confirmations.
4. Do not deregister the vehicle without coordinating with the insurer if it asks you to follow another procedure.
5. Request the insurer’s list of documents: it usually includes proof of the police report, Zulassungsbescheinigung, keys, a description of the circumstances, and bank details.
6. If the car is found, clarify with the insurer who pays for transport, inspection, and repairs.

Theft normally does not worsen your Schadenfreiheitsrabatt because it is a Teilkasko risk rather than an at-fault accident. However, a dispute with the insurer is possible if there is suspected breach of contractual duties, lost keys, documents left in the car, or a late report.

In brief

In 2024, Germany remained a country with a moderate but persistent risk of car theft. According to insurance statistics, Berlin has the highest risk; expensive SUVs and particular Toyota/Lexus models stand out, and Keyless systems still need additional protection. For an owner, the practical minimum is Teilkasko cover, careful parking, control of keys, and several physical security measures.