Data

Most stolen cars in Australia

Vehicle theft is climbing sharply, and the reason isn't more broken windows — it's electronics. Here are the latest figures and what's behind them.

Which models are targeted

The National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council consistently lists everyday, high-volume vehicles among the most stolen — the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and Holden Commodore feature prominently.

In Victoria specifically, Crime Statistics Victoria data for the year to September 2025 put the Holden Commodore at the top of the list.

The mix shifts year to year. The Toyota Prado climbed from 20th to 9th between the years ending September 2024 and 2025, while the HiAce dropped from 7th to 12th. In early 2026, Toyota Prado and LandCruiser models were specifically targeted by a syndicate intending to ship vehicles overseas.

Why these models?

• Volume — the more of a model on the road, the more get stolen. HiLux and Ranger have topped Australian sales charts for years.
• Parts and export demand — 4WDs and utes have strong resale value both for parts and overseas shipment.
• Work vehicles are parked outside — tradies' utes rarely fit in a garage.

By state

Victoria's surge is significant enough to distort the national picture — strip it out and the rest of the country looks considerably calmer.

What's driving the increase

The rise correlates with the availability of key-programming tools. These devices plug into a car's OBD-II port and enrol a blank key to the immobiliser. They're legal to own, sold openly, and legitimately used by locksmiths every day.

That's the awkward reality: the vulnerability isn't a flaw, it's a feature. Cars must allow key replacement, and the OBD port is how it's done.

The result is theft that leaves no visible trace. No smashed glass, no alarm, no forced ignition — the car simply recognises a valid key. Full breakdown of the method here.

If you own a targeted model

Owning a HiLux, Ranger, Commodore, Prado or LandCruiser doesn't mean you'll be a victim, but it does mean you're on a shortlist. Practical steps, cheapest first:

1. Faraday pouch (~$15) — stops relay attacks that unlock the car from your keys indoors.
2. Keys away from the front door — free, and removes the relay opportunity entirely.
3. Steering lock ($50–120) — visible deterrent, can be cut but adds time.
4. OBD port protection ($40–150) — either a physical lock or re-pinning, which targets the actual attack method.
5. Aftermarket immobiliser — most effective, usually needs professional fitting.
6. GPS tracker — recovery rather than prevention, and usually subscription-based.

No single product is complete protection. Layering two or three cheap measures beats relying on one expensive one.

A note on these numbers

Figures come from Crime Statistics Victoria, the NMVTRC, insurance claim data and ABS reporting. They cover different periods and definitions, so they don't reconcile perfectly — treat them as indicative of scale and direction rather than precise totals. Check the primary sources below for current data.