Crime Types
Motor Vehicle Theft
Definition: The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and snowmobiles.
In Detail
Motor vehicle theft is the stealing or unauthorized taking of a motor vehicle. The UCR definition includes automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor scooters, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles. It does not include the taking of a vehicle for temporary use by someone with lawful access (such as a family member) or the theft of parts and accessories from a vehicle, which falls under larceny-theft. The national motor vehicle theft rate was approximately 318 per 100,000 in 2023, and this category has bucked the long-term declining trend seen in most other crime types. After falling dramatically from the early 1990s through 2019, motor vehicle theft rates surged significantly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Several factors contributed to this spike, including a viral social media trend showing how to steal certain vehicle models using simple tools, economic disruption, and changes in law enforcement practices during the pandemic. Certain cities — particularly in California, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest — have experienced especially sharp increases. Motor vehicle theft is one of the better-reported crimes because owners need a police report for insurance claims, making the data relatively reliable compared to larceny or assault. CrimeContext tracks motor vehicle theft rates separately and includes the data in the overall property crime rate used for Safety Context Score calculations.
Related Terms
Offenses involving the taking or destruction of property without force or threat of force, including burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
The unlawful taking of property from another person without the use of force, violence, or fraud — the most common crime in America.
The direction and rate of change in crime rates over a period of time, showing whether a city or region is becoming safer or more dangerous.
The number of crimes per 100,000 residents in a given area, allowing fair comparison between communities of different sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Motor Vehicle Theft" mean in crime statistics?
The theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and snowmobiles.
Why is motor vehicle theft important for understanding crime data?
Motor vehicle theft is the stealing or unauthorized taking of a motor vehicle. The UCR definition includes automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, motor scooters, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles. It does not include the taking of a vehicle for temporary use by someone with lawful access (such as a family member) or the theft of parts and accessories from a vehicle, which falls under larceny-theft.