Australia’s most stolen cars revealed as cops warn of new method

Crooks are targeting specific car makes as cops say new tech is making what was one “impossible” an easy task.

Holdens have emerged as a prime target for car thieves employing new methods to swipe vehicles without the need for keys.

Police in Victoria and NSW have revealed Holden Commodores are among the most-stolen cars in both states, as crooks zero in on push-start rides.

Victoria Police issued a warning on Thursday saying the trend had coincided with electronic devices capable of programming or mimicking keys becoming more available.

These devices – on-board diagnostic (OBD) units – are being used in one-in-five Victorian car thefts.

An alleged robbery in Melbourne's west. Picture: Supplied

“It was considered impossible to steal a car this way as little as two years ago,” Vehicle Crime Squad Detective Inspector Julie MacDonald said.

“However, offenders are now using these devices like a modern day screwdriver to steal cars.”

Holden thefts increased by 92.9 per cent in the twelve months to January 2025, with a specific rise noted in Commodores manufactured between 2013 and 2017.

Toyotas were also in the sights of criminals, with thefts increasing by 76.4 per cent for models like the HiLux, LandCruiser, Camry, Prado, RAV4, 86 and C-HR made in the 2010s.

There was also a 107 per cent rise in Subarus stolen in the same period, for models made between 2015 and 2018.

Newer Holden Commodores have been a target. Picture: Supplied

Inspector MacDonald said modern cars, which were “akin to computers”, presented an opportunity to tech-savvy thieves.

OBDs can cost less than $100 and can be plugged into cars to override the security system and start the engine.

A NSW Police spokesperson said its officers were aware of a rise in keyless car thefts in Victoria and were “taking steps to prevent such thefts becoming a trend in NSW”.

The Financial Crimes Squad Motor Unit established Strike Force Alboraya to target criminals using this method in October and has charged three people so far.

“Car models typically targeted are those with push start technology that are vulnerable to a diagnostic tool which can be plugged into the car and override its security system,” the spokesperson said.

“Examples of recent models targeted include Hondas and Holden Commodores, however many other makes and models could be subject to this process.”

Data from BOCSAR over the past year. Picture: Supplied

Car owners were reminded to use preventive measures such as storing their vehicles in locked garages where possible and installing immobilers.

The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) noted a sharp rise in car thefts in the month of March, 2023, higher than any month in the previous six years.

It found young people appeared to be responsible for the increase in vehicle theft in Regional NSW with a 179 per cent increase in legal actions over the five years to March 2023.

There was also a 52 per cent rise in Greater Sydney to that time, citing Tiktok trends as potentially encouraging thefts.

“The most frequently stolen vehicles were manufactured by Toyota, Holden, and Ford, all of

which are very common vehicles,” it found.

“The vehicle makes with the highest rate of theft were Holdens, Jeeps, and Land Rovers.

“Common vehicle makes with the largest percentage increase in theft in the five years to March 2023 were Kias, Jeeps, Isuzus, Land Rovers, and Volkswagens.”

Push start cars provide new opportunities for crooks.

BOCSAR data from September 2024 shows a stabilisation of overall theft numbers, going from 13,906 in the year to September 2023 to 14,583 12 months later.

In Queensland there were almost 20,000 instances of unlawful use of a motor vehicle in 2024, slightly down from 20,132 in 2023.

This year, there have already been almost 2000 incidents across the state, with residents in the South Brisbane area recently forming a community watch group to combat ongoing crime waves carried out using stolen cars.

Queensland’s car theft data. Picture: Supplied

Insurance company RACQ revealed in August it had paid out $39 million to clients in coastal regions of Queensland for car thefts in the previous 12 months.

There were 195 reports to the insurer in that period with the Sunshine Coast seeing a 160 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The Gold Coast followed with a 62 per cent rise.

“It’s troubling to see such large spikes in the number of claims for these areas, so we are urging Queenslanders to remain vigilant,” chief executive Trent Sayers said.

Toyota, Holden and Ford were the most-stolen car makes in the Sunshine State in 2022, 2023 and 2024, according to data cited by CarsGuide.

There were 54,700 cars were stolen from 219,100 Australian households in the 2022 financial year. It is estimated one is stolen every 11 minutes across the country.