Car theft statistics reveal the Holden Commodore as the most stolen car in South Australia in 2013, followed by the Ford Falcon and Hyundai Excel.
RAA Senior Manager Mobility and Automotive Policy, Mark Borlace said of the top 10 cars stolen, the majority of the vehicles were large passenger cars, with only the Hyundai Excel and Toyota Hilux not falling into this category.
“Of the top 10 most stolen cars, different Commodore models make up seven of the spots, with the VT model being the most targeted by thieves,” said Mr Borlace.
“More than 350 Commodores and close to 100 Falcons were stolen altogether in 2013.
“Thieves usually target a certain type of car because they’re trained in breaking into them, and unfortunately these cars have been the most popular with thieves.
“They’re also targeted for a reason, whether they can sell the car’s parts illegally or use the vehicle for a short period of time,” he said.
One of the most common places cars are stolen is in busy areas such as shopping centres, so it’s important to lock your car at all times, even if you think you are in a safe place with lots of activity around you.
“If your car doesn’t already have an immobiliser or alarm, car owners should consider installing one,” said Mr Borlace.
“You can reduce the risk of your car being stolen by parking in safe, secure spaces where possible and never leaving any doors unlocked or windows slightly down.
“If you’ve got a garage that’s filled with storage, it might be a good idea to clean it out so you can store it in there instead,” he said.
Car owners should always park their car in a well-lit area at night, and leave it in a driveway rather than on the street if possible.
“A common thing that also entices thieves is the sight of possessions such as a phone or wallet left in a car, so even if you’re only leaving your car for a short amount of time – take any valuable possessions with you,” Mr Borlace said.
Top 10 stolen cars in South Australia in 2013:
1 Holden Commodore VT
2 Holden Commodore VS
3 Hyundai Excel X3
4 Holden Commodore VX
5 Holden Commodore VY
6 Holden Commodore VR
7 Ford Falcon BA
7 Ford Falcon AU
8 Holden Commodore VE
9 Toyota Hilux
10 Holden Statesman WH
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