A massive 9,522 vans, worth an estimated £77m, were reported stolen last year, with three in five never recovered, according to new research from Direct Line.
The data shows that van theft remains a persistent and costly problem for Britain’s tradespeople, fleet operators and small businesses.
Data from the Direct Line research shows that 9,522 vans were reported stolen across the UK during 2025. That equates to one van disappearing every 55 minutes.
With the average used van valued at £8,080 in 2025, the total value of stolen vehicles is estimated at approximately £77m.
More concerning still is the recovery rate. Around three in five stolen vans are never returned to their owners, meaning thousands of businesses face the combined cost of replacing a vehicle and tools as well as the work lost during that period.
The recovery rate paints a worrying picture of the scale of the issue. If 60% of stolen vans remain missing, that represents more than 5,000 vehicles permanently removed from the nation’s working fleet in a single year.
Further research by Direct Line shows just how critical vans are to day-to-day operations, with 64% of tradespeople surveyed said their ability to work would be significantly affected if their van were stolen, written off or badly damaged.
A further 26% said it would slightly hinder their ability to do their job. While 91% said their ability to work would be affected without access to their van.
Even short periods off the road can be damaging. One in three tradespeople said that losing access to their van for a day or less would negatively affect their business.
Among those who say their work would be impacted, the estimated average loss is £420 per day in earnings without their vehicle.
For many, that figure does not include the cost of hiring a temporary replacement van, replacing stolen tools or dealing with increased insurance premiums.
With the total estimated value of stolen vans reaching £77 million in 2025 alone, van crime continues to be a major issue for the UK’s light commercial vehicle sector, and the true economic impact is likely to be significantly higher once lost productivity, replacement tools and disruption to customers are taken into account.
Enhanced van security is one solution with deadlocks, aftermarket alarms and tracking systems all sensible precautions.
Eva Sandstra-Bennett, Van Product Manager at Direct Line Business Insurance, said: “Van theft continues to destroy livelihoods across the UK. When a van is stolen, tradespeople aren’t just faced with the cost and stress of replacing their van, many also face almost immediate loss of income if they can’t work. With a van stolen every 55 minutes, the impact on hardworking professionals is severe.
“When choosing van insurance, it’s a good idea to look for cover that includes a courtesy van should your van be stolen, written off or damaged. This can help keep your business moving and protect your livelihood until you’re back on the road again.”
