Not worth stealing? Think again
November 26, 2008 by Matt Brogan
It seems car thieves have their eyes on easy prey rather than the expensive tickets, according to recent RACV Insurance claims data.
Cars insured for less than $6000 are the most commonly stolen and the insurance data also reveals the number of thefts increases with vehicle age. Cars more than nine years old are the most popular with thieves, stealing 909 cars last year, 667 of them were recovered. Cars more than 16 years old accounted for more than half these claims.
So it seems the old joke of ‘it’s not worth stealing’ isn’t so true any more with the shiny new expensive numbers off most criminals’ radar. The findings have been attributed to the developing security measures which seem to take leaps and bounds as technology continues to provide better and better methods of deterring potential thieves as well as a reflection of the high number of older cars on the roads. Vehicles under three years old accounted for only 4.5 per cent of claims.
RACV Insurance General Manager Susan Allen said drivers should be aware that cars are most likely to be stolen from railway stations, shopping centres and outside houses. She said increasing the security level of older cars can be as simple as fitting an engine immobiliser.
“Immobilisers…have been proven to be an effective deterrent to those looking for a joyride,” Ms Allen said.
Holden Commodores were the most frequently stolen cars, followed by Ford Falcons and then Toyota Camrys. While thieves weren’t moving as many expensive cars, Ms Allen warned that cars above $26,000 were more likely to have items stolen from them.
Among the most popular items stolen from cars were wheels, hubcaps, bags/briefcases, tools, GPS units, MP3 players and DVD entertainment systems.
Print it: 
i certainly is a slow news week. These reports get trotted out every few years with no surprises. Older cars are easier to steal because they often have poor security. 10 years ago Commodore, Falcon and Camry were commonly the 3 biggest sellers hence statistically they are more common and there is a higher demand for 2nd hand parts on 10 year old cars than on 1 or 2 year old cars.
Slow news indeed Dlr1.
I regularly leave my elderly Pug 406 Diesel unlocked in the hope that some one will nick it. SO far no-one has taken me up on it. Ha Ha
You see Cupid,
thats where you go wrong.
It would have a better chance of getting stolen if you locked it up and quite visibly put a chain around it.
it would be gone in a flash……
But yep, definately related to newer cars being near impossible to steal with out keys.
Some of the older commodores (VK era) can be started by turning the barrel by hand WITH OUT A KEY!!!
and from memory the old lasers can be opened with just about any key
Yes its not just the VK commodores.
Anything from the HQ to the vK had what is knows as ‘easy start’just turn the barrel.
Also i used to have a ke55 corolla that you could start with a paddle pop stick.
And no doubt a lot of people forget to lock the boot on some cars. I helped a person who locked their keys in their Laser by opening their boot because they forgot to lock it after they where standing around for 15 minutes.
I seem to remember my brother-in-law’s Valiant key could open my sister’s Corolla and my old VW Beetle. Also my VW key would open just about any Beetle I came across. Thank the Lord modern cars are more secure.
Yes thankfully cars are more secure these days. It’s just a pity that they have been forced to be more secure. I never used to lock my car in the driveway at home during the day and often with the keys in it. Don’t know if I would try it now.
Railway Stations and Shopping Centre carparks? Disgusting!!!
We need strict law enforcement. And random patrols! Catch the buggers and put them in jail.
Was this study performed by the institute of stating the bleedin obvious..
It seems car thieves have their eyes on easy prey rather than the expensive tickets, according to RACV…. Cars insured for less than $6000 are the most commonly stolen and the insurance data also reveals the number of thefts increases with vehicle age.
Duuuuhhhhrrrr!!!!!
Older cars don’t have the high tech security anti theft devices the current more modern cars do…. And why would a thief want to try and steal a $80;000 BMW when right next to it is a $8000 Camry – I mean a $8000 Falcon
[Why would anyone steal a Camry?]
[Why would anyone steal a Camry?]
because it won’t break down on them unlike a falcon :)
Imagine your life was so bad that you found yourself stealing a Camry. Imagine getting chased by the Police in your stolen Camry, 1 of 2 things would happen.
1. You would instantly understeer off the road, hit a tree and be incinerated. Or
2. The engine would instantly explode as it’s revved for the very first time above 2000 rpm.
The expression “drive it like you stole it” was definately not coined for Camry car thieves.
What would be much much worse than the above would actually be being caught in one. Oh the lifelong shame and embarrasment.