The Burrow
Jan 15, 2026
Understanding which vehicles are most at risk of theft is essential for today’s drivers, especially as global crime patterns continue to evolve. In our latest study, we reveal the most stolen cars of 2025 in Australia and around the world, uncovering how criminal behaviour differs across regions and what these trends mean for everyday vehicle owners.
Car insurance comparison website Compare the Market has analysed car theft statistics at international and state levels to highlight emerging patterns, shifting targets, and the models most frequently nabbed by thieves. This will help you as a driver to make more informed decisions about car security, vehicle protection and the steps you can take to prevent car theft.
If you are after our 2024 most stolen car research, it can be found here.
When comparing car theft statistics across the globe, a few countries stand out immediately for their exceptionally high rates of motor vehicle theft. New Zealand tops the list by a significant margin, recording 952.39 thefts per 100,000 people, well ahead of the rest of the countries in our study.
France, the United States, and Canada come in second, third, and fourth, with theft rates of 248.15, 288.50, and 272.20 per 100,000 people, respectively. Australia sits close behind, ranking fifth globally with 210.06 thefts per 100,000 people, reinforcing the importance of strong car security and effective vehicle protection.
Across the 26 countries analysed, car theft patterns often extend beyond individual models, suggesting broader brand-level targeting. In several European markets, thieves appear to focus on widely available rather than a single standout vehicle.
Smart and Volvo rank as the most stolen vehicles overall, reflecting high theft volumes in countries such as Greece and Sweden. These are followed by Tofaş, Volkswagen, and Nissan, which also appear prominently across the dataset despite operating in very different regional markets. Opel and the combined group of Renault, Peugeot and Citroën further reinforce this pattern, rounding out the list of the most stolen vehicles identified in the study.
Europe shows striking variation. France records one of the continent’s highest theft rates, with the Renault Clio IV leading the country’s list of most stolen cars. Italy and the United Kingdom show similar patterns, with models such as the Fiat Panda and Ford Fiesta frequently targeted. Meanwhile, countries with lower theft rates, including Germany and Sweden, experience far fewer incidents overall.
A closer look at Australia’s state-level car theft statistics reveals clear patterns in both offender behaviour and vehicle popularity. In Victoria, the Holden Commodore remains the state’s most stolen model by a wide margin, with 1,497 thefts recorded. It’s followed by two enduring Toyota favourites, the Hilux (728 thefts) and the Corolla (639 thefts), highlighting an ongoing preference for versatile, widely owned vehicles.
New South Wales shows an even stronger Toyota presence. With 2,193 thefts linked to Toyota and 1,307 to Holden, the state is heavily dominated by these two brands. Ford (838) and Mazda (713) also feature prominently.
Queensland follows a similar pattern, with Toyota leading again with 1,723 thefts, followed by Holden (707) and Ford (698). This consistency across multiple regions strengthens the case for proactive vehicle protection measures, particularly for owners of these high-risk car brands.
The differences between states can often be attributed to a mix of urban density, local policing resources, economic conditions and the sheer volume of popular models on the road. Metropolitan hubs like Melbourne and Sydney, with larger numbers of cars and more on-street parking, tend to experience higher overall theft numbers.
A state-by-state look at car theft statistics in the USA reveals clear hotspots and differences in the types of vehicles that thieves target. First on our list is Colorado, where in 2022, there were 777 vehicle thefts reported per 100,000 people. Ford pickups dominate, with Chevrolet pickups and the increasingly targeted Kia Sportage following closely behind as the most stolen cars in the state.
Washington (627 thefts) paints a similar picture, as Ford pickups remain the most stolen vehicles. Meanwhile, the Honda Civic and Honda Accord remain long-time favourites of thieves in the nation’s capital. Further south in California (466), the trend shifts slightly, with Chevrolet pickups taking first place, followed once again by the Honda Civic and Ford pickup.
Looking across states, it becomes clear that pickup trucks are among America’s most stolen cars. Both Ford and Chevrolet pickups appear repeatedly in the top three rankings, demonstrating their high value on the black market and strong demand for parts. The Hyundai Elantra also stands out, making frequent appearances in states such as Missouri and Minnesota.
Regional car theft trends are also clear to see. High-theft states like Colorado and Washington tend to feature a different mix of top stolen models compared to low-theft states such as Maine or New Hampshire, where theft volumes are significantly lower, and targeted vehicle types are more varied. Notably, the prevalence of pickup truck theft in Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma reflects local vehicle preferences, availability and the sheer number of trucks on the road.
While national and regional car theft trends vary, many incidents can be avoided with the right habits and equipment. Strengthening your day-to-day car security is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk, no matter which model you own.
Start with the basics. Always lock your doors and windows, even if you’re only stepping away for a moment. Choose well-lit, populated areas when parking, and avoid leaving your vehicle in the same spot for long periods. Keep valuables out of sight, as items left on seats, dashboards or cup holders can attract thieves even if they don’t intend to steal the vehicle itself. Small behavioural changes like these can dramatically improve your overall vehicle protection.
Visible deterrents often stop opportunistic thieves before they even try. Steering wheel locks, immobilisers and upgraded alarms remain effective, low-cost defences. For extra peace of mind, consider investing in a GPS tracking device. These tools don’t just help you to prevent car theft, but they also increase the chances of recovery should the worst happen.
Many thefts occur because of simple oversights. Common examples are leaving the car running to warm up, hiding a spare key inside the vehicle or failing to lock the boot because it doesn’t seem necessary. Even relying solely on factory-fitted systems can leave gaps in your car security, especially for owners of the most stolen cars. Staying alert to these pitfalls helps to ensure your vehicle is less likely to be targeted by would-be thieves.
Adrian Taylor, Executive General Manager of General Insurance, says when it comes to safeguarding your vehicle, the right approach starts with awareness.
“Understanding which vehicles are most at risk is the first step in protecting your own,” he said. “By combining smart security habits with the right car insurance cover, you can significantly reduce both the likelihood and impact of having your car stolen.”
“Car theft continues to impact Australian motorists, particularly those driving popular and older vehicles. Simple security measures such as steering wheel locks, alarms and GPS tracking devices can significantly reduce the risk of theft.”
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Our dataset ranked 26 countries based on their motor theft rate using two key factors. Each factor’s data was collected and normalised to a score between 0 and 1. If data was missing, a score of 0 was given. These scores were then combined to give each country a total score out of 100, and countries were ranked from highest to lowest.
The factors used:
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All data is correct as of 27/11/25. The ranking data shown is a compilation of multiple data sources and may not be representative of real life. All data is accurate with regards to the sources provided.