The Toyota Aqua has taken the top spot from the Mazda Demio as the nation’s most frequently stolen car, AMI has revealed.
In 2022, the Aqua, also known as the Toyota Prius C, accounted for 11% of AMI’s vehicle theft claims, despite only making up 1.47% of the country’s fleet.
The Toyota Aqua pips the Mazda Demio, which now comes in as the second most stolen car, closely followed by the Nissan Tiida. Rounding out the top ten are the Mazda Atenza (Mazda 6), Toyota MarkX, Toyota Vitz, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Corolla, Subaru Impreza and Mazda Familia.
Of note is the Toyota MarkX’s inaugural entry into the top 10, with theft claims surging in recent years from only 21 claims in 2020 to 441 in 2022, a 2,000% increase in just three years.
This pattern is mirrored across the rest of the data, as theft claims soared to new highs in 2022, up 43% on the year prior. This is a growing trend, despite a Covid-related dip in 2020. [1]
AMI’s Executive General Manager Claims, Wayne Tippet says the fact that thefts are trending upwards again makes it even more important to ensure insurance details are current. “Across New Zealand, we received 8,492 claims for vehicle thefts in 2022, up 43% on the year before, and up 54% from 2019.
“There are some things you can do to make your car less attractive to thieves, such as locking it, removing any valuables, and parking off-street or in a busy, well-lit area. Immobilisers are good, but if your car doesn’t have one installed, steering locks are effective deterrents too.
“I’d also urge people to check the sum insured on their insurance policy is up to date. Second hand cars are generally holding their value better than they used to, due to supply chain delays, parts shortages, and other factors,” Mr Tippet says. “So, if the worst happens and your car is stolen and written off, you want to make sure that your sum insured is at an appropriate level for your car.”
Regionally, Auckland far outstrips other areas of the country for vehicle theft claims, with almost 3,000 claims last year, well above runner up Canterbury, with 1,214 claims.
Recovery rates remain high, with 94% of all Aquas recovered, 93% of Demios and 91% of Vitzes, suggesting the majority of cars are being stolen for joyrides.
“Virtually all of these cars are recovered, so it’s likely they’re being stolen for joy rides or to commit other crimes, such as burglaries,” says Mr Tippet.
AMI’s top 10 most stolen vehicles for New Zealand (2022):
1. Toyota Aqua
2. Mazda Demio
3. Nissan Tiida
4. Mazda Atenza (Mazda 6)
5. Toyota MarkX
6. Toyota Vitz
7. Subaru Legacy
8. Toyota Corolla
9. Subaru Impreza
10. Mazda Familia
The most frequently stolen vehicle in each region, and the regions ranked (2022):
Ranking
Region
Stolen vehicle claims
Most frequently stolen vehicle
Auckland
2,986 claims
Toyota Aqua
Canterbury
1,214 claims
Toyota Aqua
Waikato
884 claims
Toyota Corolla & Toyota Aqua (equal)
Wellington
663 claims
Mazda Demio
Manawatu
485 claims
Mazda Atenza
Bay of Plenty
440 claims
Mazda Demio
Northland
302 claims
Nissan Tiida
Hawke’s Bay
187 claims
Mazda Demio
East Coast
75 claims
Mazda Atenza
Otago
73 claims
Mazda Demio
Southland
65 claims
Toyota Vitz
Taranaki
50 claims
Mazda Demio
Wairarapa
49 claims
Mazda Demio
14
Nelson
39 claims
Mazda Atenza
