More than 66,000 motor vehicles were recorded stolen across Australia in 2025, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
The 66,625 recorded victims of motor vehicle theft represent a 2% increase from 2024 and the highest national total since 2008.
That works out to approximately 183 motor vehicle thefts every day – or one every eight minutes.
But which cars are being stolen the most?
There is currently no single official Australian dataset that ranks every stolen vehicle nationally by make and model. The latest detailed police-recorded model ranking available is from Victoria, where vehicle theft has risen particularly sharply.
Below, we look at the latest vehicle theft statistics available in Australia, the models appearing most frequently in current theft data, and what drivers can do to reduce their risk.
Top 10 Most Stolen Cars (2025)
| Rank | Make & Model | Recorded Thefts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holden Commodore | 1,587 |
| 2 | Toyota HiLux | 1,021 |
| 3 | Toyota Corolla | 998 |
| 4 | Toyota LandCruiser | 846 |
| 5 | Toyota RAV4 | 654 |
| 6 | Toyota Camry | 616 |
| 7 | Nissan Navara | 513 |
| 8 | Ford Falcon | 476 |
| 9 | Toyota Prado | 434 |
| 10 | Nissan Patrol | 326 |
*These are the latest Victorian police-recorded figures from the ABS, not an official Australia-wide model ranking. Australian states and territories do not currently publish a consistent national make-and-model dataset that would allow an equivalent national Top 10 to be produced reliably. For a more detailed breakdown using Victorian vehicle theft data, see our Victorian Vehicle Theft Rankings.
Toyota dominates the current Top 10
Six of the ten vehicles in the latest Victorian ranking are Toyotas.
The Toyota HiLux recorded 1,021 thefts, followed closely by the Corolla with 998. The LandCruiser, RAV4, Camry and Prado also made the Top 10.
However, the number of vehicles stolen should not be confused with the individual theft risk of owning that model.
Popular vehicles are more numerous on Australian roads. A model with 1,000 thefts but hundreds of thousands of registered vehicles could potentially have a lower theft rate than a less common model with fewer total thefts.
For that reason, raw theft numbers are useful for identifying which vehicles thieves are taking most frequently, but they don’t tell us the entire story about risk.
How Many Cars Are Stolen in Australia?
The latest ABS Recorded Crime – Victims statistics show 66,625 victims of motor vehicle theft were recorded by Australian police in 2025.
That’s approximately:
5,552 per month
1,281 per week
183 per day
7.6 per hour
one every 7.9 minutes
The national total increased from 65,603 in 2024 to 66,625 in 2025.
According to the ABS, this was the highest number of motor vehicle theft victims recorded in Australia since 2008.
Australian Bureau of Statistics – Recorded Crime: Victims, 2025
Car Theft in Australia Is Rising Again
Although vehicle theft remains far below the levels Australia experienced around the turn of the century, the recent trend has moved upwards.
| Year | Recorded Motor Vehicle Theft Victims |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 48,095 |
| 2021 | 49,735 |
| 2022 | 54,985 |
| 2023 | 60,999 |
| 2024 | 65,603 |
| 2025 | 66,625 |
Between 2020 and 2025, the number of recorded motor vehicle theft victims increased by approximately 38.5%.
The longer-term picture is quite different.
Australia recorded 139,895 motor vehicle theft victims in 2001, the highest figure in the ABS series. By 2020, that number had fallen to 48,095.
The recent increase therefore represents a reversal of some of the substantial progress Australia made against vehicle theft over the previous two decades – although current theft numbers remain well below the historical peak.
Which States Are Seeing Car Theft Increase?
The national increase in 2025 was not spread evenly across Australia.
According to the latest ABS figures, Victoria and New South Wales were the only states to record increases in motor vehicle theft victims in 2025.
Victoria
Victoria recorded 24,929 motor vehicle theft victims in 2025, up 11% from 22,504 in 2024.
It was the state’s highest annual figure since 2002.
New South Wales
NSW recorded 12,689 victims in 2025, up 3% from 12,319 in 2024.
Queensland
Queensland recorded 17,214 victims, a 2% decrease from the previous year.
Western Australia
Western Australia recorded 4,913 victims, down 13%.
South Australia
South Australia recorded 3,414 victims, down 2%.
Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory also recorded decreases during 2025.
This means Australia’s overall increase was driven particularly by the sharp rise occurring in Victoria.
Where Are Cars Being Stolen From?
Many stolen vehicles are taken from residential properties.
The ABS reports that in 2025, 38% of motor vehicle theft victims in Victoria involved vehicles taken from an outbuilding or residential land, while another 32% were taken from a street or footpath.
Residential locations were even more prominent in several other states.
In New South Wales, 54% of stolen motor vehicles were taken from an outbuilding or residential land. The equivalent figure was 53% in Queensland and 58% in Western Australia.
The data reinforces the importance of vehicle security even when a car is parked at home.
How Are Cars Being Stolen?
Vehicle theft is no longer limited to forcing a door or physically bypassing an ignition.
Victoria Police says its intelligence indicates that more than 10,000 vehicles are stolen using electronic devices in Victoria each year – approximately 30 vehicles every day.
Modern electronic theft can involve technology capable of mimicking, cloning or reprogramming vehicle keys and interacting with vehicle security systems.
Victoria Police says the increased use of key-reprogramming devices has contributed to the state’s high levels of vehicle theft.
This makes layered vehicle security increasingly important, particularly for vehicles using electronic and push-button ignition systems.
Victoria Police – Preventing motor vehicle theft
How to Protect Your Car From Theft
No security device can guarantee that a vehicle won’t be stolen. Using several different security measures can, however, make a vehicle more difficult to steal and provide additional options if it is taken.
Current Victoria Police recommendations include:
Locking all doors and closing all windows, including when parked at home.
Keeping vehicle keys and spare keys secure.
Parking off the street where possible, preferably in a locked garage or driveway.
Using a steering wheel lock or similar physical anti-theft device.
Installing an OBD port lock to restrict access to the vehicle’s diagnostic port.
Using an engine immobiliser or digital anti-theft system.
Using an RFID blocker or Faraday box/bag for compatible key fobs.
Considering GPS or Bluetooth tracking devices.
Victoria Police also recommends well-lit parking areas and suggests sensor lighting and CCTV for vehicles parked in driveways.
Can a GPS Tracker Help With a Stolen Car?
A GPS tracker performs a different job from a steering wheel lock, immobiliser or OBD lock.
Physical and electronic security devices are primarily intended to make the vehicle more difficult to steal.
A GPS tracker is primarily useful for determining where the vehicle is if it has already been taken.
Overwatch Tracking features include:
Live GPS location
Movement notifications
Ignition alerts
Geofence alerts
Historical location data
Mobile and web access
Victoria Police specifically includes generic GPS/Bluetooth trackers among the anti-theft devices motorists can consider.
Police also provide specific advice for stolen vehicles equipped with live tracking.
If a stolen vehicle has live tracking and is actively being monitored, Victoria Police advises the owner to contact Triple Zero (000). Police may request access to the tracking information.
Vehicle owners should never use GPS information to locate and confront suspected thieves themselves.
For drivers wanting dedicated vehicle tracking, Overwatch Tracking offers hardwired, OBD2 and portable GPS tracking options with live location monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most stolen car in Australia?
There is currently no official national government ranking that breaks Australian motor vehicle theft down comprehensively by make and model.
In the latest comprehensive police-recorded model data available from Victoria, the Holden Commodore ranked first with 1,587 recorded thefts in the year ending September 2025.
What are the top 5 most stolen cars?
Holden Commodore, Toyota HiLux, Toyota Corolla, Toyota LandCruiser and Toyota RAV4 as the five most frequently stolen models in Victoria.
How many cars are stolen in Australia?
The ABS recorded 66,625 motor vehicle theft victims in Australia in 2025, up 2% from 2024.
How often is a car stolen in Australia?
Based on the latest ABS total, a motor vehicle theft victim was recorded approximately once every eight minutes in 2025.
Is car theft increasing in Australia?
Yes. Recorded motor vehicle theft victims increased nationally from 65,603 in 2024 to 66,625 in 2025.
Looking further back, recorded theft increased from 48,095 victims in 2020 to 66,625 in 2025 – an increase of approximately 38.5%.
Which state has seen the biggest recent increase?
Victoria recorded the most significant increase in the latest ABS data, rising 11% to 24,929 motor vehicle theft victims in 2025.
New South Wales increased by 3%, while every other state and territory recorded a decrease.
Does a GPS tracker stop a car from being stolen?
A GPS tracker should not be considered a guarantee against vehicle theft.
Measures such as immobilisers, steering wheel locks and OBD port locks are intended to make theft more difficult. GPS tracking provides another layer of security by allowing the vehicle’s location to be monitored if it is moved or stolen.
Last updated: September 2026
