High-end stolen cars are often stripped for expensive parts, "rebirthed" with new identities (fake VINs) and sold overseas in markets with high demand, or used in other crimes; they are typically hidden in shipping containers with legitimate cargo and re-exported to places like West Africa, the Middle East, or Eastern Europe, where they are sold on the black market, often with fake documents.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau found that more than 85 percent of stolen passenger vehicles were recovered, but that success rate depends heavily on the reporting time, as the Bureau states that cars reported within 24 hours have a significantly higher chance of being found.
These vehicles are stolen by opportunistic thieves for short term use such as: an immediate means of transport; for fun or 'joyriding'; or used to commit other crimes such as robberies. The vehicles are dumped, and sometimes burnt to reduce opportunities for forensic evidence.
They could be manifested as teddy bears.” Without many people noticing Britain has become a leading exporter of stolen goods. In the past decade the number of vehicles stolen in the country has risen by 75%. Most end up on container ships; the top destination is west Africa.
Joint vehicle crime project
In recent years, Canada has emerged as a key source country for stolen motor vehicles, in part given its large supply of sought-after high value models such as SUVs and crossovers. Many of the vehicles are shipped to the Middle East and West Africa, where they are then traded or re-sold.
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.
Here are the 10 most stolen vehicles of 2023 by make and model:
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.
Take your keys with you even for quick trips. Needless to say, this is especially true if you have children or pets in the vehicle. More than two thirds of all auto thefts occur at night. Approximately 86% of the stolen vehicles are recovered.
The frequency of whole-vehicle theft claims for the standard Camaro was 13 times as high as the average. “Muscle cars have often topped this list, as thieves are attracted to vehicles with high horsepower,” said Matt Moore, chief insurance operations officer at HLDI and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Recovery Statistics
Most vehicles are recovered within the first few days after the theft — if they're going to be found at all. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 50-60 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered.
The most stolen cars in Australia are from the Holden brand, with 5,539 thefts from the manufacturer recorded in 2021 – more than 1,000 more incidents than the second-most targeted brand. The Holden Commodore VE MY06-13 was the most commonly targeted model for theft, with 898 stolen in 2021.
Comprehensive insurance is the only type of vehicle insurance that compensates you for a stolen car. If you don't have this type of insurance, you'll have to pay for damages to your car unless you can get compensation from the thief.
These robust security measures make Volvo vehicles less appealing to car thieves. While Tesla vehicles are known for their security, some BMW models also stand the test of time in terms of durability and reliability.
A stolen vehicle is typically covered with comprehensive car insurance. If your car isn't recovered, or if it's damaged when recovered, comprehensive insurance usually covers it. Also, if someone breaks into your car and causes damage, that is usually covered under this type of policy.
Luxury vehicles are a popular target for car thieves, who can quickly sell your vehicle at a great price. While you cannot entirely guarantee that your luxury vehicle will never be stolen, there are still plenty of precautions that you can take.
How long does it take for insurance to pay out on a stolen vehicle? If your car's stolen, it might take up to 30 days for your insurer to pay a claim. That's because they'll wait to see if the car is recovered by the police. The insurer will also do its own investigation to check for a fraudulent claim.
Some cities have higher rates, such as Richmond, California, which had an auto-theft rate of 1,518.3 in 2018.
Yes, a car typically loses value after being stolen, even if it's recovered in good condition. When a car is stolen, its market value usually decreases, a phenomenon known as diminished value.
According to an insurance report by HLDI, vehicles like the Tesla and other fully electric vehicles remain among the hardest overall for thieves to steal. Volvo XC60, Subaru Ascent, and certain Chevy and GMC models are giving car thieves a run for their money also.
The most significantly underreported crime in Australia is sexual assault and sexual violence, with vast discrepancies between survey data (revealing millions of incidents) and police-recorded statistics (showing far fewer reports) due to high fear, shame, and perceived lack of support, making it a hidden epidemic despite increasing awareness. Domestic and family violence is also highly underreported, often linked to power dynamics and fear, while child sexual abuse remains a critical hidden issue.
In the case of the BMW, Lexus and Audi, the HLDI said the vehicles were fitted with excellent ignition immobilisers, making them impossible to hot-wire. More expensive cars are also more likely to be locked up in garages rather than parked out on the street, further reducing their chance of being stolen.
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.
Starting with the least stolen models according to consumer reports, the Tesla model three and the model Y have a relative claim frequency of one and two where 100 is the average. That means they are 50 to 100 times less likely to be stolen than the average car.
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.