Why are some cars easier to steal than others?

Tuesday, 6 December 2022

The Mazda Demio is a hot target for car thieves.

Vehicle thefts are at an uncomfortable high – or, more specifically, the theft of certain vehicles – and those vehicles often being used for ram raids. But why are some vehicles targeted so much more than others, and is there anything you can do about it?

The most stolen vehicle in New Zealand is currently the Mazda Demio, mainly because many of them come used from Japan without security features like car alarms and immobilisers.

Easily stolen small Japanese cars including (clockwise from left) the Mazda Demio, Nissan Tiida and Toyota Aqua are amongst the most popular for use in ramraids.

Add in the fact they’re generally sold as runabouts for students and folks needing an economical daily transporter, there’s a good chance the cars won’t have aftermarket security systems installed.

“Compared to the rest of the population, younger drivers are more likely to drive an older, second-hand car that won’t break the budget – an older Mazda Demio or Suzuki Swift are both good examples,' AMI’s executive general manager of claims, Wayne Tippet, recently said.

A neighbour chased off the attempted ramraiders with a shovel, before recovering some stolen alcohol from the boot.

* We must not sit on our hands when it comes to crime

Getting an alarm or an immobiliser is the best protection for your car, but there are other ways to dissuade would-be theives.

* Car theft up by nearly 75% in Hutt Valley, while rates spikes across Wellington

* The Mazda Demio is (still) the most stolen car in NZ

Thieves know this, and the information is widely shared among their circles, which is why they’re targeted so much along with the likes of the Toyota Aqua and Nissan Tiida, for similar reasons.

Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells of Canterbury Police said in April that Demios and Toyota Aquas – also a target for car thieves – use ignition systems that are 'not as robust as others, so once an offender gains entry to the car they can be taken relatively easily”.

'They also don't have immobilisers by default - we'd recommend that anyone who owns one of these vehicles gets one installed.

'An immobiliser can cost up to $500, but if your vehicle is stolen you are likely to pay a similar amount of excess on your insurance, let alone the inconvenience of having your vehicle stolen and the associated hassle of cancelling credit cards etc.

“In addition, ensure valuables and credit cards are removed from vehicles at night, particularly if cars are parked in the open. The best option still remains having your vehicle garaged if possible.”

If forking out for a full alarm and immobiliser system is out of reach, there are a few things you can do to deter a possible insurance claim. A steering wheel lock or handbrake lock can be a good start, along with parking under lights if you don’t have off-street parking. If you’re good with electronics, you could even wire up a bright LED to flash, implying an alarm is set.

Inspector Trevor Beggs from Tāmaki Makaurau Police said last year: “Vehicle crime tends to be opportunistic and offenders look for easy targets or quick gains if they see valuables left in vehicles[…] The solution is straight-forward; the more security measures you have in place, the harder it is for offenders to steal your vehicle and the less likely it is that you will be targeted.”