What are the top 10 most stolen cars in NZ?
Data from insurance company AMI reveals that in 2023, no car was more prone to vehicle theft than the Toyota Aqua. Other high theft rate vehicles include the Nissan Tiida, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Demio and Mazda Atenza.
The full list is as follows:
- Toyota Aqua (=)
- Nissan Tiida (៱1)
- Toyota Corolla (៱5)
- Mazda Demio (៴2)
- Mazda Atenza (៴1)
- Toyota Mark X (៴1)
- Toyota Vitz (៴1)
- Subaru Impreza (៱1)
- Subaru Legacy (៴2)
- Toyota Hilux (៱1)
The Toyota Aqua holds its questionable place at the top, continuing its run as the prime target of vehicle theft in New Zealand. The big mover in 2023 was the Toyota Corolla, which moved up a full five places.
The most frequently stolen vehicle in each region
AMI only broke down its theft claims by New Zealand region in 2022, but this data is likely to have held firm over the following 12 months:
- Auckland: Toyota Aqua
- Bay of Plenty: Nissan Tiida
- Canterbury: Toyota Aqua
- Gisborne: Mazda Demio
- Hawke’s Bay: Nissan Tiida
- Manawatū: Mazda Atenza
- Marlborough: Mazda Demio
- Nelson: Nissan Tiida
- Northland: Nissan Tiida
- Otago: Mazda Demio
- Southland: Mazda Demio
- Taranaki: Mazda Atenza
- Tasman: Mazda Atenza
- Waikato: Nissan Tiida
- Wellington: Toyota Aqua
- West Coast: Holden Commodore
Top tips to help prevent your vehicle from being stolen
It's hard to steal cars with modern security features. Vehicle theft is concentrated on cars that are usually 10 years old or older. If you're in the market for a car, consider investing in a newer model with better safety features.
Beyond that, top tips for preventing vehicle theft include:
- Investing in a locked garage and parking in secure, off-street locations wherever possible.
- If you're forced to park on the street, choose a well-lit area and park facing uphill when possible.
- Invest in a car alarm, handbrake/steering wheel lock, immobiliser or car tracking system.
- Avoid leaving valuables in your car, and if you do, keep them out of sight.
- Never leave the keys in your car, even if you're just quickly running into the shops or paying for parking.
- Don't leave your windows or sunroof open.
In need of a vehicle loan?
By investing in a more modern, more secure vehicle, you can guard yourself against car theft. And if you don't have the funds for a new or new-ish car, we can help.
At Instant Finance we've been helping Kiwis secure their dream cars for over half a century, by offering car loans at the most competitive of rates.
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FAQs
What's the best car to buy if you don't want it stolen in NZ?
Any modern, well-made vehicle will be far harder for a thief to steal than an older model, so go for a car that has keyless entry, push-button start, and one that comes with all the latest security and anti-theft measures.
Which keyless cars are most stolen?
Most keyless cars are very hard to steal. Doing so will usually require expensive equipment, and even then, the keys need to be somewhat nearby for the car to be stolen. Keyless vehicles are therefore a great option for anyone looking for a theft-resistant vehicle.