How Often Is a Car Stolen in Australia?

Reportedly, professional car thefts in Australia have been on the rise since the pandemic, leading to higher insurance premiums on cars. Motor vehicle theft is something all drivers are concerned about; when your vehicle is stolen, it's inconvenient, costly, and can make you feel afraid and violated.

Understanding how often a car is stolen in Australia, the most at-risk areas, and the most targeted cars, can help you protect your personal property.

Here is everything you need to know about motor vehicle theft in Australia.

How Many Cars Are Stolen in Australia Each Year?

On average, a light vehicle is stolen approximately every eleven minutes in Australia. Over 38,000 passenger cars or light commercial vehicles were stolen in 2021. While the overall number of car thefts decreased during the pandemic, the number of professional thefts went up.

Although this stat might seem strange, it seems to be because petty thefts and teenagers stealing cars for joy rides decreased while people were indoors. Meanwhile, professional car thefts - where criminals steal cars and sell them on or strip them for parts - are on the increase.

This is a worrying statistic because, with professional motor vehicle theft, cars are rarely recovered.

However, it's not all doom and gloom. Nearly 70 per cent of Australians have never had a car stolen or had any belongings taken from their vehicles.

If you are concerned about motor vehicle crime, you should familiarise yourself with the most common areas where it takes place.

Where Do Cars Get Stolen the Most in Australia?

The highest rate of car theft occurs in the Australian Capital Territory, with 254 stolen cars per 100,000 population. However, with a lower percentage of the total population, there is more car theft in other parts of the country.

Of course, every state and territory have car thefts, and some areas are more at risk than others.

Generally speaking, motor vehicle theft is more common in built-up city areas with a high population density. Here's where to avoid in each state.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT had 1423 car thefts in 2021, according to government data. With 4.5 vehicles stolen per 1000 vehicles registered, it has the highest rate of car theft in the country, despite having the lowest total number of cars stolen.

The total cost of motor vehicle theft was over $2.5 million. Most thefts occurred on Fridays in the evening.

Victoria

Areas with smaller populations tend to have fewer thefts, even if the population density is high. Victoria is somewhat of an exception to this rule, with over 15,000 stolen cars in 2021. The rate is also high, with three motor vehicles stolen per 1000 registered.

Stolen motor vehicles cost over $18 million last year, with almost $4 million made up of Ford Ranger PX MY11+ thefts alone.

Again, Friday evenings are the time when most car thefts occurred. Car owners in the local government areas of Port Phillip, Yarra, and Maribyrnong experienced the most thefts.

Tasmania

With a relatively low population, it's perhaps not surprising that Tasmania has fewer car thefts. There were 1,065 stolen cars in the past year, with a rate of 2.1 per 1000 registered vehicles.

Car thefts accounted for just over $1 million in lost money, which makes Tasmania one of the better places to live if you're worried about rates of national motor vehicle theft.

New South Wales

New South Wales is actually one of the safest places to live if you don't want to get your car stolen, which is surprising given that it's the most populous state.

Although the total high number was 10,473, the rate of thefts per 1000 vehicles is the lowest in the nation, at just 1.8.

Newcastle is the city with the most car thefts (492), while Central Coast (408), Wollongong (351), and Sydney also have a decent amount (198). The regional areas of Cessnock, Coonamble, and Wentworth are the hot spots for car theft.

Car thefts cost the state a whopping $23 million, with the Ford Ranger accounting for over $4 million of this figure.

Queensland

Queensland's rate of car theft is very high, with 15,805 cars stolen last year. It also has a rate of 3.7 vehicles stolen per 1000 registered cars. The cost of car theft is also the highest in the country, with over $31 million in losses.

Interestingly, according to data from the NMVTRC, over half of Queenslanders who were victims of car theft believed the crime stemmed from criminals stealing keys from the car owner's home.

Brisbane fares badly in the statistics with 3,623 cars stolen, making it the most dangerous city in the nation for car theft. The Gold Coast, Townsville, Cairns, and Toowoomba are also 2nd to 5th in the list, too. Brisbane and the Gold Coast also top the list for the highest number of thefts from cars.

Northern Territory

Although the Northern Territory has very few car thefts in total, it reserves top spot for the highest rate of car thefts per registered vehicle. The state had 1,639 thefts last year, with 10.1 per 1000 registered vehicles.

Unlike other states, the largest chunk of the Northern Territory's lost revenue comes from the Toyota Hilux MY15+, making up just under $850,000 of the total $4.5 million lost. The Toyota Hilux is also the state's most stolen single model.

South Australia

South Australia also has a low rate of car thefts, with 2.3 per 1000 vehicles registered. There were 3,454 in total, costing just over $4 million.

Despite this low rate, Adelaide comes in at sixth on the list of cities with the most car thefts, with 504 in total. It also features at 3rd on the list of most robberies from vehicles.

Residents in South Australia are most likely to not have car insurance, which also makes victims of car theft in this state the least likely to make a claim.

Western Australia

Finally, Western Australia had 6,215 incidents of stolen vehicles last year, with a rate of 2.7 per 1000 vehicles. Thefts cost just over $4.5 million in total.

The good news for residents is that Western Australians were most likely to have stolen cars covered by their insurance.

What Are the Most Targeted Cars in Motor Vehicle Theft?

All cars are at risk of theft, but vehicle thefts are more common for particular models.

In almost all states, the Holden Commodore VE accounted for the majority of vehicle thefts, with the Holden Commodore the collective model stolen the most times. The only exceptions are the Northern Territory, where the Toyota Hilux made up the most thefts, and Tasmania, where Nissan Pulsars are the most targeted cars.

The Holden Commodore VE is a very popular model, which is partly why it is a commonly stolen car. However, as a less expensive model, the Holden Commodore VE does not account for the most money lost. That title goes to the Ford Ranger in four states, the Toyota Hilux in three, and the Holden Colorado in one (Tasmania).

How to Prevent Car Theft

It's almost impossible to prevent car theft entirely, especially professional car robberies. However, you can limit individual car thefts by taking some security measures.

Here are some ways to protect your vehicle:

• Keep your car keys safe. A surprising number of thefts come from criminals using the driver's own keys, so it's vital to keep track of your car keys. If you have a keyless-entry vehicle, make sure you keep your keys away from the front door and preferably in a box or drawer, to prevent criminals from replicating the frequency that opens your car.
• In a similar vein, do not write your address on your keys, just in case you lose them.
• Increase security on your own car. Most modern cars have some security features such as alarms and motion sensors, but it's possible to install your own cameras and tyre locks. Thieves will think twice if you have visible security.
• Store your car in a garage, if possible.
• Although it's obvious, make sure your car is always locked. An unlocked door is a welcome invitation for a thief. It also makes sneak thefts, when the owner is home, much easier.

You also need to check you have comprehensive car insurance that covers theft. Around half of all 18-to-25-year-olds don't have car insurance, which makes this a high-risk group for vehicle thefts.

Final Thoughts

Car theft can be a worrying prospect for motorists, but there are ways to give yourself peace of mind. Firstly, plenty of missing vehicles are recovered safely. Even if your vehicle is gone for good, a watertight insurance policy can keep your wallet safe.

Even if you are adequately protecting your vehicle, thefts can occur. It's essential to get comprehensive coverage that limits your losses even in the worst-case scenario.

With the number of professional car thefts in Australia, it's essential to check the history of any used car you buy. Get a car history report from Carify to learn about your vehicle's past.

FAQs

What Is the Probability of Finding Stolen Vehicles?

Around 80 per cent of stolen cars are recovered, while 20 per cent are gone for good. Furthermore, most are recovered within 48 hours. If your car has been stolen, report it to the police and they will attempt to track it down.

How Can I Check if a Car Has Been Stolen?

When buying a used car, there is a very real possibility it has been stolen in the past. Whether you are buying directly from the criminal or whether the car was recovered from theft and later sold, you have a right to know this information. The detailed car history reports from Carify can inform you whether a car was stolen using the vehicle identification number (VIN). It's better to be safe than sorry, so make sure you check today.

How Much Money Will I Lose if My Car is Stolen?

Depending on your insurance, you might lose no money at all after a car theft. In one survey, 40% of Australians said they either did not make a claim after a car theft, or their claim was rejected by their insurer. On average, car theft victims are left $5000 out of pocket.

What Is the Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council?

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council was a body formed in the late 90s to reduce rates of theft across Australia. So far, it has successfully reduced theft by 60% over the last two decades. However, funding was pulled in 2021, and as a not-for-profit, the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council has now closed.

‍