Toyota Aqua Tops the List of New Zealand’s Most Stolen Car

Toyota Aqua was the most stolen car in New Zealand last year, taking the top spot among rising car theft claims. 

According to car insurer AMI, the Aqua topped its list of stolen cars, with the Nissan Tiida and Toyota Corolla coming in second and third place. AMI recorded around 17,000 claims for stolen cars last year, and the Aqua made up 11% of the claims. 

Toyota Aqua amounts to only 2% of the country’s motor vehicle fleet, but it contributed to over 4000 car theft claims for residents across Auckland and Canterbury. 

The MarkX, another Toyota brand, also joined the top 10 list of most car theft claims, with numbers rising from only 21 in 2020 to 441 in 2023. It recorded a 2000% increase in just three years. 

A vehicle noticeably missing from the top spot is the Mazda Demio, previously referred to as the ‘car thieves top pick.’ It has since been overtaken by the Tiida and Corolla.

Concerning numbers increases need for vehicle safety

In 2022, the number of car theft claims from AMI spiked by 43%. Meanwhile, 2023 is the second biggest year for vehicle theft in five years. AMI’s Executive General Manager, Wayne Tippet, says these numbers are “concerning”, stating that Kiwis should be more mindful of vehicle security. 

 “It’s concerning to see another year of elevated vehicle theft claims and, unfortunately, the data highlights that we all need to adopt a security-minded approach when leaving our cars unattended,” Tippet said. 

More than a third of vehicle thefts were recorded in Auckland. Meanwhile, Canterbury and Waikato recorded 17% and 12% of theft claims respectively. AMI’s report also mentioned that between 10 am and 5 am was the most popular for vehicle theft. 

“Cars without advanced security features such as keyless ignitions, immobilisers or alarms, or parked where a swift getaway is possible, have a higher risk of being stolen,” Tippet said. 

When it comes to the car’s age, vehicles manufactured in 2005 were at the top of the car theft claims, followed by 2006 and 2014. 

"We are seeing a consistent similarity in the price of commonly stolen vehicles too, usually no more than $5000 in value. These seemingly cost-friendly cars are typically 10 years or older," said Tippet. 

Mr Tippet mentioned that car owners can take measures to ensure their cars are less attractive to thieves. This includes finding suitable parking spaces and increasing vehicle security. 

“With theft increasing after dark, those who can, should always park their cars in the driveway, lock the gate if they have one, or opt for a well-lit area if on-street parking is the only option,” 

“Immobilisers are good, but if your car doesn’t have one installed, steering locks are effective deterrents, too …  Steering locks remain a cost-friendly security measure and effective deterrent for thieves.” 

Key takeaway

With more opportunistic car theft cases recorded, businesses with vehicles should consider keeping their vehicles secure in the year ahead. 

In addition to adopting daily car safety practices, getting Commercial F&G Insurance can also ensure they seamlessly replace a vehicle if it’s stolen – while keeping the business running efficiently. 

Bonded NZ helps property investors remain efficient in economic uncertainties through comprehensive and tailored business insurance. Whether it's public liability, commercial F&G Insurance, or professional indemnity insurance, our cost-effective options help them secure their business at every angle. 

For more information about our services, contact our team today.

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The AMI top 10 stolen cars in 2023

1. Toyota Aqua (=)
2. Nissan Tiida (+1)
3. Toyota Corolla (+5)
4. Mazda Demio (-2)
5. Mazda Atenza (-1)
6. Toyota Mark X (-1)
7. Toyota Vitz (-1)
8. Subaru Impreza (+1)
9. Subaru Legacy (-2)
10. Toyota Hilux (+1)