Motor vehicle theft is defined as the theft of a motor vehicle, including automobiles, buses, recreational vehicles, trucks, or other motor vehicles. Utah's motor vehicle theft rate in 2005 was 343.9 per 100,000, a 7.4% increase over 2004. Since its peak in 1997, Utah's motor vehicle theft rate has been decreasing for the most part, although the recent rates depict an upward trend.

After converging in the mid-1990s, Utah's motor vehicle theft rate and the national rate had been moving apart. The gap between the national rate and Utah's rate narrowed further in 2005.

Utah's adult arrest rate for motor vehicle theft was 18.8 per 100,000 of those over 18 years of age.  This represents a 5.7% decrease from 2004.

During 2005, there were 59.1 juvenile arrests for motor vehicle theft per 100,000 of those aged 10 to 17.  This represents a 1.0% decrease from 2004.

*Juvenile arrest rates should not be compared to adult arrest rates as they are based upon a much narrower population group.