What cars are high risk in South Africa?

Vehicle theft, unfortunately, is a reality in South Africa and has seen a rise since the lockdown as more and more vehicles are out and about. But some vehicles seem to attract more attention from thieves than others, not just because of their value, but sometimes due to parts interchangeability within that manufacturer's product line-up. 

Now, perhaps, you are on the search for new or used models on AutoTrader and want to avoid high-risk models. Or you might want to get an Instant Offer on the car you own because it's a high-risk model. This article will shed some light on which cars are considered high-risk but also give a few tips on how to mitigate easy ways for thieves to get hold of your car.

 

Related: What colour car gets stolen the most?

 

High-risk models

Vehicles that are targeted are not always stolen to be resold as is but sometimes are taken apart and sold as spare parts illegally. Models such as the Volkswagen Polo and Golf have been a target for criminals for quite some time, however, when it comes to even more premium offers, products from Ford and Toyota are popular.  

We have not yet seen a marked increase in hijackings on the Elite book, with only two registered for 2022 year to date. However, we have seen a marked increase in vehicle thefts, with the majority target being Toyota luxury vehicles and other late model vehicles; a picture that is reflected in the crime statistics,

Tarina Vlok, MD of Elite Risk Acceptances. 

However, other news sources have suggested that the prime targets for the criminals are models such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and Fortuner. With regards to the Toyota models, it is the GD6 range that is of particular interest to criminals. However, what should also be taken into consideration is that not all vehicle theft is pre-planned and sometimes is a crime of opportunity.

Tips to avoid your car being stolen

So, whether criminals are actively targeting the model you own or just taking an opportunity presented, your vehicle might be at risk. We sourced a few tips from Tracker that might just prevent you from falling victim to vehicle theft. 

1. If you have a vehicle that has keyless entry and start functionality, it is recommended that you try and source what is called a Faraday pouch. Once the key fob or card is placed in this pouch, no signals can be sent or received by the fob and thus, criminals will have a more difficult time intercepting those signals. 

2. Even if you have your key in a Faraday pouch, try to keep your vehicle key or fob as far away from walls or the vehicle itself when you are at home. This will help prevent criminals from using signal amplifiers from outside your home to send signals between your vehicle and the key fob inside to gain access.

3. Before you leave your car, whether at work, the mall or at home, check that your vehicle is indeed locked. Some criminals use signal blockers to block the signal from your car remote to the vehicle. This might leave the car unlocked even if you pressed the lock button. 

4. Whether at work or at the mall, try to choose a parking spot that is well-lit, has security cameras or has lots of people walking around. This might deter a criminal from attempting to steal your vehicle as they wouldn't want to be caught on camera or seen by witnesses.

5. Remember those old steering wheel locks? Well, as old-tech as they might seem, just the hassle of removing one could deter a criminal from attempting to steal your car. What is great is that these tend to be very visible too, unlike gear locks or immobilizers.