Car Theft in Australia 2025: Statistics, Trends, and the Most Stolen Cars
- Motiq Support
- Jun 11
- 5 min read
More than 65,000 cars were stolen in Australia in 2024. That's one vehicle every eight minutes — taken from driveways, car parks, and street parking across every state and territory in the country.
And the numbers are getting worse.
This post covers the latest Australian car theft statistics, the models most at risk, where thefts are happening, and what the data tells us about protecting your vehicle.
Australian Car Theft Statistics 2024 — The National Picture
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), there were 65,603 victims of motor vehicle theft recorded in Australia in 2024 — an increase of 8% (4,604 additional victims) compared to the previous year.
That's the highest theft rate in over two decades.
Key national figures:
65,603 vehicles stolen in 2024
8% increase year-on-year nationally
One vehicle stolen every 8–9 minutes
54% of thefts occurred at residential properties — driveways and garages
24% occurred on streets and footpaths
The ABS data confirms what police forces around the country have been reporting anecdotally: car theft is not declining. After years of steady falls through the 2010s, theft rates have reversed sharply since 2022.
Car Theft by State — Where Is It Worst?
The national increase masks significant variation between states. Two states account for the majority of the surge:
State | 2024 Thefts | Year-on-Year Change |
Victoria | ~28,000+ | +41% |
New South Wales | Est. ~18,000 | +6% |
Queensland | 17,493 | -4% |
Other states/territories | Varies | Mixed |
Victoria has experienced the sharpest increase, with motor vehicle thefts climbing to their highest levels since 2002. In the 12 months to September 2025, more than 33,000 vehicles were stolen in Victoria alone — up 28% on the prior year.
Queensland, by contrast, saw a modest decrease of 4%, bucking the national trend. Western Australia and South Australia have shown more stable patterns, though neither has seen significant declines.
Most Stolen Cars in Australia
Not all cars are stolen equally. Thieves target specific models — either for parts, for use in other crimes, or because they're easy to steal.
The most stolen vehicles in Australia (based on NMVTRC and state police data):
National most-stolen brands:
Toyota — consistently the most stolen brand nationally (2,193 thefts in NSW alone)
Holden — particularly the Commodore
Ford
Mazda
Hyundai
Most stolen models (Victoria, year ending September 2025):
Holden Commodore — 1,587 stolen (up significantly year-on-year)
Toyota HiLux — 1,021 stolen (up 67%)
Toyota Corolla — 998 stolen (up 66%)
The Toyota HiLux — Australia's best-selling vehicle for five consecutive years — has become one of the most targeted models in the country. Its popularity makes it both a common target for opportunistic theft and a high-value target for organised theft rings.
How Cars Are Being Stolen in 2025
The method of theft has shifted significantly over the past five years. Two trends dominate:
1. Keyless ignition relay attacks Around one in five vehicle thefts in Victoria involves keyless ignition technology — where thieves use relay devices to amplify and clone the signal from your key fob while it's inside your home. The signal is relayed to the car outside, which then unlocks and starts as if the key is present. The whole process takes under 30 seconds and leaves no physical sign of entry.
Popular targets for relay attacks include late-model Toyota LandCruisers, HiLuxes, and European luxury vehicles.
2. Key theft and break-ins The majority of thefts — particularly in opportunistic cases — still involve physical key access. Thieves break into homes, steal keys from hallway hooks or kitchen benches, and drive the car away. The ABS notes that 54% of stolen vehicles were taken from residential properties, pointing to this as the dominant pattern.
Recovery Rates — Do You Get Your Car Back?
Recovery rates for stolen vehicles in Australia have declined as organised theft has grown. When a car is taken for parts or shipped overseas, the chances of recovery are low.
Without a GPS tracker: Recovery depends on police spotting the vehicle, CCTV footage, or the car being abandoned. Organised theft rings move vehicles quickly — often across state lines within hours.
With a GPS tracker: Live location data can be shared directly with police within minutes of the theft, dramatically improving recovery odds. In the time it takes a traditional stolen vehicle report to be logged and actioned, a GPS-tracked car can already have a police unit en route to its location.
Where Thefts Are Happening
At home (54%) — This is the single biggest risk location. Cars stolen from driveways and garages are often taken using stolen or cloned keys, or while the owner is asleep.
On the street (24%) — Opportunistic theft from parked vehicles, particularly in high-density urban areas.
Car parks and shopping centres — Particularly targeted during peak hours when owners are inside for extended periods.
The shift toward residential theft is significant: it means your car is most at risk in the place you assume it's safest.
Which Cars Are Least Stolen?
Vehicles with more sophisticated immobilisers, no resale market for parts, and lower production numbers tend to be less frequently targeted. Broadly:
Newer vehicles with factory-fitted immobilisers and steering column locks are harder to steal without a relay attack
Less common makes and models attract less organised attention
Electric vehicles are currently stolen at lower rates — though this is changing
That said, no vehicle is theft-proof. Relay attacks can target virtually any car with keyless entry, regardless of age or value.
What the Data Means for Car Owners
The trend line is clear. Car theft in Australia is increasing, concentrated in major cities, and increasingly sophisticated in method. The 2024 ABS data — a 21-year high for theft overall — should remove any lingering assumption that "it won't happen to me."
The most effective response to the data is also the simplest: make your car traceable the moment it's taken. Not recoverable in theory — traceable in practice, in real time, with a location you can hand to police while the car is still moving.
A GPS tracker doesn't prevent theft. But it turns an 8% chance of recovery into a real-time pursuit.
Protect Your Car
The Motiq OBD2 GPS tracker plugs into your car in under 60 seconds. If your car moves without you, you get an instant notification with the live location. You can share that location directly with police.
$99 device. $11.99/month. No lock-in.
Compatible with all Australian petrol and diesel vehicles from 2006.
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics — Recorded Crime Victims 2024; ABS Crime Victimisation 2024–25; Victoria Police crime statistics; NMVTRC (carsafe.com.au); CarsGuide car theft statistics report.
Sources:
Comments