Alert over Vehicle Thefts in Spain: Over 7,700 in Three Months

Vehicle theft is a constant concern for drivers, but there are various measures and precautions you can take to significantly reduce the risk. The combination of common sense and the use of technology can be your best ally.

If your vehicle has been stolen, the DGT recommends going to the State Security Forces and Corps as soon as possible to report the theft and thus avoid responsibility for any misuse of the vehicle. They will notify the traffic authorities of the theft, and a temporary deregistration due to theft will be processed once the report is formalized, ensuring you are not held accountable for any infractions committed with your vehicle while it remains missing.

The temporary deregistration process, once the report is made to the Security Forces and Corps, will be automatically carried out in the DGT databases, so there is no need to visit their offices.

If it is not the vehicle but its documentation that has been stolen, do not hesitate to go to the authorities to report the theft and request a duplicate.

Although vehicle theft has decreased by 3.2% nationwide in the first quarter of the year, the Crime Balance data from the Ministry of the Interior shows a reality full of contrasts: some regions such as Navarra, Castilla y León, La Rioja, or the Basque Country have experienced worrying increases in vehicle thefts.

Between January and March 2025, a total of 7,760 vehicles were stolen in Spain, compared to 8,013 in the same period the previous year. The analysis by regions reveals growth in traditionally calm areas. Navarra leads the surge with an increase of 37.5%, followed by Castilla y León (+11.7%), La Rioja (+9.5%), and the Basque Country (+6.8%).

"Although the general decline might seem like good news, we must not ignore the growth in certain areas. Organized gangs do not disappear; they relocate. Some regions are witnessing an intensification of a phenomenon that seemed more urban or coastal," stated José Ignacio Rubio, general director of LoJack Iberia.

Regarding the most affected brands, data from the first quarter reveals that SEAT cars were the most stolen in Spain, with a total of 544 units taken. They are followed by Peugeot, with 389 thefts, and Volkswagen, with 364. These figures demonstrate that criminal gangs often target popular and high-turnover brands in the market, making them frequent targets.

According to José Ignacio Rubio, "installing an advanced recovery solution like LoJack can make the difference between losing the vehicle or recovering it quickly, even if it has crossed borders."

Additionally, to minimize risks, a series of recommendations can be followed, such as parking in a private or public garage with surveillance and security cameras. If parking on the street, look for well-lit areas with high pedestrian traffic and avoid dark alleys or isolated areas.

It may seem obvious, but negligence is the thief's best ally. Ensure all doors, windows, and the trunk are securely closed, even for quick errands. Check that the locks function properly.

Moreover, alarms are an effective visual and auditory deterrent. Opt for modern alarms that not only sound but can send notifications to your mobile or even have engine immobilization functions.

In case of theft, a GPS tracker allows you to track your vehicle's location in real-time, greatly increasing the chances of recovery. Some even allow for remote engine blocking. Thieves often access the onboard diagnostic port (OBD) to reprogram keys and start the car. A physical or electronic blocker of this port can prevent this.

Remember that if the vehicle does not reappear within 30 days, you can request your insurance company to declare it missing and claim compensation based on your policy. If the vehicle reappears after the compensation has been paid, you can keep it if you return the money received to your insurer.