The Most Stolen Cars in NZ: The Latest List

The Toyota Aqua was New Zealand's most stolen car in 2025, for the fourth year in a row, according to AMI Insurance.

If you're buying a car, it's worth knowing which models thieves target most, and how to make yours harder to steal.

Latest data: AMI's 2025 claims, released February 2026. Last updated November 2026.

Most stolen cars in NZ at a glance

• Most stolen car: the Toyota Aqua, for the fourth year running, making up 8% of AMI's stolen vehicle claims in 2025.

• Top 5: Toyota Aqua, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Tiida, Mazda Demio and Toyota Vitz.

• Number of claims: AMI received more than 9,000 theft and attempted theft claims in 2025, across more than 760 makes and models.

• Theft rate: for every 1,000 insured Toyota Aquas, 54 had a theft claim, nearly four times the rate for the Toyota Corolla.

• Older cars: nearly 9 in 10 stolen cars are more than 10 years old.

• Recovery: about 64% of stolen cars are recovered, and 40% of those are repairable.

• Trend: theft claims have come down since a peak in 2023.

 

The top 10 most stolen cars in NZ

 

Source: AMI Insurance, 2025 theft and attempted theft claims (released 3 February 2026), ranked by frequency of theft.

Toyota models dominate: five different Toyotas are in the top nine.

The most stolen car in each region

Source: AMI Insurance, 2025 claims. Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato, Wellington and Bay of Plenty had the most theft claims.

Why is the Toyota Aqua the most stolen car?

There are a lot of Aquas on New Zealand roads, and many are older Japanese imports.

According to AMI, older vehicles often lack modern, electronically encrypted locking systems, which makes them easier for thieves to get into and start.

That's why the Aqua's theft rate is so much higher than the Corolla's: 54 theft claims per 1,000 insured Aquas, against 15 per 1,000 Corollas.

Interestingly, although the Aqua is a hybrid, hybrids make up only about 5% of all thefts. Most stolen cars are older petrol or diesel vehicles.

 

Which cars are hardest to steal?

 

Newer cars are generally much harder to steal, because they have electronically encrypted keys and engine immobilisers.

That's a big reason nearly 9 in 10 stolen cars in NZ are more than 10 years old.

If theft is a worry, a newer car with modern security, or an older car with an added immobiliser or steering lock, makes you a much harder target.

What about keyless cars?

Keyless cars are harder to steal in the usual way and make up a small share of thefts in NZ.

But thieves overseas have used "relay" devices that pick up the signal from a key fob inside the house. To be safe, keep your key away from doors and windows, or in a signal-blocking pouch.

 

What NZ Police data shows

Police figures tell a similar story.

An analysis of NZ Police data by MoneyHub found Toyotas made up 30.7% of all car thefts over six months to December 2025, with 1,010 Toyotas stolen. You can see vehicles currently reported stolen on the NZ Police stolen vehicles database.

How to stop your car being stolen

• Park somewhere secure: a locked garage or off-street park if you can, or a well-lit, busy street if you can't.

• Add a physical deterrent: a steering wheel lock, a gear lock or a car alarm, especially on an older car.

• Fit an immobiliser or tracker if your car doesn't have one.

• Never leave your keys in the car, even for a minute at the shop or petrol station.

• Keep valuables out of sight, or better, take them with you.

• Close the windows and sunroof, and always lock the doors.

• Keep keyless fobs away from doors and windows at home.

Buying a used car? Check it isn't stolen

Before you buy privately, check the car:

• on the NZ Police stolen vehicles database;

• on the Personal Property Securities Register, to see if money is owing on it;

• with a vehicle history report, which also covers odometer history, import damage and previous plates.

Our guide to checking a used car before you buy has a full checklist.

What to do if your car is stolen

1. Report it to the Police as soon as you can. If it's not an emergency, you can report it online or by calling 105.

2. Contact your insurer to start a claim.

3. If your car is on finance, let your lender know. Your loan carries on even if the car is stolen, so it's worth talking to your lender early. If the car isn't recovered or is written off, an insurance payout usually goes towards clearing the loan, especially where the lender is noted on the policy.

If you have a loan with us, get in touch and we'll talk you through what happens next.

 

Thinking about a newer car?

A newer car with modern security is much harder to steal.

If you'd like help getting into one, a car loan from $500 to $50,000, with personalised rates from 9.95% to 29.95% p.a., could help. See how much you can borrow for a car.

We won't let you get in over your head: we'll go through your budget with you to make sure the repayments fit. Find out more about responsible lending.

Terms and conditions, and responsible lending criteria apply.

Most stolen cars: your questions answered

What is the most stolen car in NZ?

The Toyota Aqua. It was New Zealand's most stolen car in 2025 for the fourth year in a row, making up 8% of AMI's stolen vehicle claims.

What are the top 5 most stolen cars in NZ?

According to AMI's 2025 claims data: the Toyota Aqua, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Tiida, Mazda Demio and Toyota Vitz.

Which type of car is stolen the most?

Older cars. Nearly 9 in 10 stolen cars in New Zealand are more than 10 years old, mostly older Japanese hatchbacks and sedans without modern encrypted locking systems. Hybrids make up only about 5% of thefts.

What car is hardest to steal?

Newer cars with electronically encrypted keys and engine immobilisers are generally the hardest to steal. Adding a steering lock, alarm or immobiliser to an older car also makes it a much harder target.

Which keyless cars are most stolen?

Keyless cars make up a small share of car thefts in NZ, because they're harder to steal in the usual way. Overseas, thieves have used relay devices to copy a key fob's signal, so keep your fob away from doors and windows, or in a signal-blocking pouch.

What percentage of stolen cars are recovered in NZ?

About 64% of stolen cars are recovered, according to AMI, and around 40% of those can be repaired. The rest are usually written off.

What should I do if my financed car is stolen?

Report it to the Police and your insurer, then let your lender know. Your loan carries on even if the car is stolen, and if it isn't recovered, an insurance payout usually goes towards clearing the loan.