Vehicle misuse rises 50% as thefts shift to unauthorised use
Vehicle misuse rose by 50% in 2025 and now accounts for nearly 40% of all vehicle thefts, according to Targa Telematics.
The figures come from the group's Observatory, which analysed 10,000 theft incidents. It found that misuse and unauthorised use now make up a growing share of overall vehicle crime. This type of loss often begins with legitimate access to a vehicle before turning into misappropriation.
That shift creates a different challenge for fleet managers and mobility operators than conventional theft. Rather than a single criminal act, misuse can develop over time through non-compliant behaviour, extended use or unusual operating patterns, making it harder to detect through post-incident checks.
Targa Telematics said early identification can materially improve the chances of recovery. Its Observatory found recovery rates may exceed 90% when risks are detected at an early stage.
AI monitoring
The company is using its Smart Vehicle Protector system to respond to that trend. It says the system uses artificial intelligence and behavioural analysis to monitor vehicles, assess weak signals and flag higher-risk cases for intervention.
The monitoring process tracks factors including behavioural anomalies, breaches of agreed limits and inconsistent usage patterns. According to Targa Telematics, this allows operators to act before a vehicle is permanently lost.
Alerts can then be handled through its control room network in Europe, which operates around the clock. The setup is designed to support vehicle recovery once risk indicators emerge.
Crime trend
The increase in misuse comes amid a wider rise in vehicle crime in the UK. Targa Telematics cited Office for National Statistics data showing that vehicle thefts increased by more than 70% between 2015 and 2025.
For operators running rental, leasing and other managed fleets, higher levels of theft and misuse can affect vehicle availability, operating costs and insurance exposure. A vehicle taken out of service can also disrupt bookings and contract fulfilment, particularly in tightly utilised fleets.
The challenge is especially acute when a user initially has permission to access the vehicle. In those cases, misuse may not trigger the same alarms as a conventional theft report, leaving operators to identify patterns of abnormal use rather than a clear-cut criminal event.
Executive view
Targa Telematics said its system was built on data gathered over years of field operations, including a large volume of real-world signals and cases. That data has been used to train a model intended to spot early signs of misuse quickly enough for operators to respond.
The company also said the system uses agentic AI as part of that process. It describes the product as providing constant monitoring of each asset and prioritising alerts so recovery teams can focus on the highest-risk vehicles.
"With the vehicle crime landscape in the UK rapidly evolving, it is essential for fleet managers and mobility operators to rely on next-generation services that go beyond reactive incident management and unlock a truly proactive approach to asset protection," said Chris Horbowyj, UK commercial director, Targa Telematics.
"By capitalising on Smart Vehicle Protector, Targa Telematics' AI-powered solution capable of identifying early signs of risk, UK rental and leasing operators can achieve remarkable cost savings and improve operational efficiency. As vehicle crime continues to place pressure on margins and fleet availability, the shift towards data-driven prevention should become a critical priority rather than a nice to have," added Horbowyj.