QuestGates, the UK’s largest owner-managed loss adjusting and claims solutions group, has contributed to an international report on the criminal supply chains for vehicles stolen in the UK and EU.
Published in April 2026 by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, the Theft For Export study was led by anti-corruption expert Dr Liam O’Shea, of SGI Research, with QuestGates providing data and insights.
The key findings included:
1. Theft for export is a low-risk, high-reward crime. It is a specialist trade in high-value cars and parts, but vehicle crime has been deprioritised across the UK and EU. Specialist investigation capacity is thin, and the prospect of prosecution is limited.
2. The trade is organised through small, interlinked networks of specialists, not hierarchical crime groups. Thieves, logistics operators and forgers occupy specialist roles, with links appearing to run through kinship, diaspora and commercial ties.
3. The broad direction of trade is to the Middle East, Africa and possibly the former Soviet states. Precise routes are difficult to identify and change quickly if targeted. However, destinations largely mirror those of legitimate used vehicle flows.
Dr Liam O’Shea, of SGI Research, said: “Disrupting organised vehicle crime requires better data and sharper analysis, not just more policing. QuestGates helped us to build an evidence base on how stolen vehicles move from UK driveways into overseas markets. What the report makes clear is that theft for export is a specialist trade run by commercial networks, not hierarchical crime groups. Tackling it requires evidence-based responses built on what police, industry and researchers each know about the trade.”
Philip Swift, Technical Director – Motor at QuestGates, said: “Much of the discussion about vehicle crime in Britain ends at the driveway. A car disappears, the owner reports it stolen, the police record the offence and an insurer becomes involved. Commonly, the car is never seen again. Dr O’Shea’s report shines a light on the organised networks operating behind the scenes, from concealment and identifier manipulation through to dismantling, shipment and resale in overseas markets. We were delighted to contribute to the report and believe it raises important questions for the insurance market and law enforcement alike. Criminal operations surrounding vehicle theft have evolved significantly and our response must continue to evolve with them.”