Report reveals top 10 cars most likely to be stolen
Is your car on the list?
A study conducted by the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council (NMVTRC) has revealed the 10 vehicles that criminals are most likely to steal.
Data relates to 2018 thefts.
10-year-old cars at risk
In a breakdown of 2008 model vehicles, the Holden Commodore fairs the worst. Statistically, it is the most stolen vehicle, with a theft rate of almost 50 per 10,000 registered. It seems this popular sedan is stolen most frequently for profit (converted into cash) than any other vehicle. Police have also had to recover more Commodores than any other model after short-term thefts.
Next up, the Commodore's sparring partner, the Ford Falcon. 32 of these are taken for every 10,000 registrations. Rounding out the top three is the Toyota HiLux, with 26.3 stolen per 10,000 registrations.
Conversely, the least nabbed cars from that era are the Toyota Corolla, the Yaris and the Mazda3.
5-year-old cars at risk
For the 2013 model vehicles, offenders remain consistent in their fondness for a Holden sedan. The Commodore is targeted often with 29.8 going missing for every 10,000 registered. Nissan's Navara ute also appeals to offenders, taking the unwelcome second spot. For every 10,000 sold, 28.2 are reported to the police as nicked. In third place, thieves take HiLux's from their owners at a rate of 26.5 per 10,000 registrations.
Statistically, the lowest risk models from that year are all smaller cars:
- Hyundai i30 (theft rate: 9.0)
- Mazda3 (theft rate: 11.3)
- Toyota Corolla (theft rate: 13.0) - also the best seller for 2013
3-year-old cars at risk
Out of all the 2015 model vehicles, the Commodore is finally viewed as a less attractive vehicle in the eyes of thieves. Unfortunately, the Toyota HiLux has replaced it, with 25.7 utes taken for every 10,000 registered. In second place is the Toyota Camry with theft rate of 22.0. Rounding out the top three is the good old Commodore.
For this model year, the lowest-risk car was the Mazda3, followed by the Hyundai i30 and then the Mazda CX-5 SUV.
Which vehicle is least likely to be stolen?
NMVTRC named the Mazda3 as its choice of the car with the least risk across all the different model years. It consistently sold well over all of the year samples but it carries a decently low theft rating. The organisation suggested that used car buyers consider the likelihood of theft in their purchase decision, as well as safety and budget considerations.
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