Cyprus has been named one of the top five destinations for stolen vehicles from the United Kingdom, according to new data published by Thatcham Research in collaboration with the UK National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS).
Between 2021 and 2024, the leading destinations for stolen vehicles were the Democratic Republic of the Congo (38.5%), United Arab Emirates (20.1%), Cyprus (6.7%), Jamaica (5.7%) and Georgia (5.1%).
Cyprus as a parts hub
The report identifies Cyprus as a key transit hub for the trafficking of luxury SUVs, pick-ups and spare parts, due to its left-hand driving system—matching the UK—and its role as a gateway to Mediterranean markets.
High-spec British vehicles are particularly attractive to the Cypriot market, where the supply of right-hand-drive used cars is limited. Criminal groups also exploit the island’s strategic location for reselling components or re-exporting vehicles to third countries.
Internationally organised crime networks
Despite the UK’s world-leading vehicle security standards, a car was stolen every five minutes in 2024, the research found.
Organised crime groups now use advanced electronic equipment, international logistics and transport networks, making the phenomenon increasingly hard to contain.
Over 50% of the vehicles recovered originated from premium or luxury brands, while 79% were SUVs, underlining the high demand for this vehicle type.
Factors driving the illegal market
Thatcham Research attributed the surge in vehicle thefts to:
- Shortages of spare parts and delivery delays
- Natural disasters, such as recent flooding in the UAE
- Geopolitical instability affecting supply chains
- Rising black-market values of SUVs and pick-ups
In Cyprus’s case, the island’s geographical position as a midpoint for transporting vehicles and components to the Middle East and North Africa plays a crucial role.
“Security has improved, but organised crime evolves”
Thatcham Research’s head of research, Richard Billyeald, said “The opportunistic thefts of the 1980s and 1990s have virtually disappeared. Today’s organised crime groups have funding, technology and global networks.”
He called for closer cooperation between governments, insurers and manufacturers, suggesting remote vehicle deactivation and stricter controls on reused parts to discourage theft.
£640 million in insurance payouts in 2024
British insurers paid out £640 million in compensation for stolen vehicles in 2024, reflecting the global scale of the problem.
Founded 50 years ago in Berkshire, Thatcham Research is the UK’s leading vehicle-security standards organisation, working with the automotive industry and insurers to assess risks and determine premium levels.
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