Car theft in Australia is increasing, with about one car stolen every 11-12 minutes nationally, though rates vary by state, notably spiking in Victoria; in 2024, over 65,000 vehicles were stolen, driven by opportunistic thieves targeting popular models like Holdens and Toyotas, often left unsecured.
Attention: Car theft is on the rise
In 2024, there were 65,603 motor vehicle thefts. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics that's 8% more than the previous year. At the centre of the crime wave is Victoria, with car thefts up by 41%. This has affected 22,504 people – the most since 2003.
Thieves often avoid high-end vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and newer BMWs because they are more difficult to steal, easily tracked, and too risky to sell or strip. These cars often come with multi-layered security systems, making them less attractive targets.
The top 10 most stolen vehicles of 2023
With new figures showing Victoria is now the car theft capital of Australia, and with ram raids also on the rise, more residents and businesses are installing bollards for protection.
Vehicles with advanced security features and lower market desirability tend to have the lowest theft rates. Notable examples include the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90, and Subaru Ascent.
Deter thieves from stealing your car by installing anti-theft devices such as:
This car is very low demand in the criminal market as parts are not widely as traded in chop shops and the brand does not have an established cross border resale route. So criminals don't prioritise it. And in first place the least hijacked car in South Africa is the Audi Q three.
Avoiding Vehicle Theft
Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even while driving. Unlocked doors are easy targets. When parked, never leave your keys in the car. Ensure windows are fully closed to prevent a thief from trying to open the door from the inside.
What Are the Safest Cars?
Subaru cars are difficult to steal in comparison to other cars out there. One of the ways that you can't steal a Subaru car is by hotwiring. The technology itself of a Subaru vehicle is completely digital and so revolutionary that something as simple as jump-starting a Subaru is not even an option.
Australia's "25-Year Rule" allows importing classic and collectible vehicles (cars, motorcycles, light commercials) older than 25 years, under the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) laws, by obtaining a Concessional RAV (Register of Approved Vehicles) approval to avoid strict compliance with modern Australian Design Rules (ADRs). This "rolling" rule means the vehicle must be at least 25 years old at the time of application, simplifying imports for enthusiasts but still requiring compliance with ADRs relevant to its original build year, plus some modifications for safety like VINs or child restraints.
Subaru Impreza – A popular model with older keyless systems that are easy to exploit. Toyota Corolla – Common, reliable, and unfortunately, frequently stolen. Toyota Camry – Regularly appears in police data, especially around Melbourne suburbs. Ford Ranger – A tradie favourite that's equally popular among car thieves.
What Happens to Stolen Cars?
Most stolen makes and models
Interestingly, Dupont (now Axalta) says that their top car colors for the last decade have been white, black, silver and gray. Let's see how those colors figure into the top 5 most frequently stolen cars. Click through the following pages to see the colors, along with some other facts about auto theft in the U.S.
Car alarms make noise, but they rarely stop theft. Most people ignore them, and skilled thieves can bypass them in seconds. Alarms are not useless, but on their own, they offer little real protection. For better security, combine alarms with immobilizers, GPS tracking, real-time alerts, and visible deterrents.
Fit good in-car security locks
Additional physical security can help to prevent your vehicle being driven away even if a thief gains entry. There are a range of security rated products tested by Sold Secure that can help, such as steering wheel locks, pedal boxes and gear stick locks.
The least stolen cars are ones with bright colours such as orange, green, yellow, and pink. This is because they're uncommon, easy to notice, and hard to sell. Car thieves tend to go for vehicles in common colours, such as white, grey, and black. This is because they have a higher demand, making them easy to sell.
Help secure your vehicle by:
Australian Road Rule 72 dictates that at intersections without traffic lights or stop/give way signs, drivers must give way to vehicles approaching from the right, slowing down and stopping if necessary to avoid a collision. This applies to standard intersections, but T-intersections, roundabouts, and intersections with specific signs or lights have different rules, and you must also give way to pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road you're entering.
To exploit that signal, thieves will get close the house with an antenna in the hopes of capturing and amplifying it so it can unlock the vehicle. This theft method can take less than 60 seconds to execute and is only effective when the car's key fob is in close proximity to the car.
A person must not start a vehicle, or drive a vehicle, in a way that makes unnecessary noise or smoke. : Maximum penalty--20 penalty units. Example : Causing the wheels of the driver's vehicle to lose traction and spin on the road surface may make unnecessary noise or smoke.