Most stolen cars in Melbourne and regional Victoria

The most stolen car in Victoria 

In the year ending September 2025, data from Crime Statistics Victoria reveals that the iconic Holden Commodore is the most stolen car in Victoria.

Despite production of the car ceasing in 2020, the Commodore remains a frequent target for thieves, with 1,587 stolen in the year ending September 2025. It also topped Victoria’s list of most targeted cars in the year ending September 2024, with 1,153 incidents.

By way of context, Holden Commodores are one of the most common vehicles registered in Victoria, with Transport Victoria data showing 107,051 Commodores across the state between 1 July and 30 September 2025.

Toyota vehicles a common target for thieves

After Commodores, two Toyota models - the HiLux and the Corolla - round out the top three most stolen vehicles in Victoria in the years ending September 2024 and September 2025. Crime Statistics Victoria reports thefts of the HiLux and Corolla rose sharply, with 1,021 and 998 vehicles taken respectively in the year ending September 2025 — up 67 per cent and 66 per cent on the same period a year earlier.

Toyota vehicles make up six of the top 10 car models most stolen in Victoria in the year ending September 2025. The Japanese car manufacturer is one of the most popular auto brands across the state, with more than one million vehicles registered in Victoria.

More Toyota Prados but fewer HiAce models stolen

While the top three cars stolen in Victoria - the Commodore, Hilux and Corolla - remained the same in in the years ending September 2024 and September 2025, there were notable differences between the two 12‑month periods.

The Toyota HiAce dropped from seventh to 12th place between the years ending September 2024 and September 2025, while the Prado climbed from 20th position in the year ending September 2024 to ninth in the year ending September 2025. Notably in early 2026, several Toyota vehicles, including the Prado and LandCruiser (which also cracked the top 10), were targeted by a crime syndicate with the intention of shipping the cars overseas.

The Nissan Pulsar and Volkswagen Golf also dropped off the top 10 in 2025, respectively falling to 17th and 11th positions.

Are thieves targeting specific cars?

Victoria Police reports that thieves are targeting specific cars that feature keyless ignition technology, a system more commonly found on mid- and top-spec new cars rather than entry-level models.

These vehicles can be easier for thieves to access, as they do not require a physical key to open or start. Around one in five vehicles is being stolen through this method.

The makes and models targeted include:

• Holden Commodore (2013-2017)
• Toyota Corolla (2015-2024)
• Toyota HiLux (2016-2023)
• Toyota LandCruiser (2008-2021) 
• Toyota RAV4 (2019-2024)
• Toyota 86 (2012-2017)
• Toyota Camry and Prado (2012-2022)
• Subaru Impreza/WRX (2015-2018)

If you own one of these vehicles you can help prevent its theft by using an OBD port lock in conjunction with a steering wheel lock. 

More: What is Stolen Vehicle Tracking and how can it help recover stolen cars?

Are thieves targeting electric vehicles?

Any vehicle is a potential target for thieves and owners should take precautions to prevent motor vehicle theft.

However, electric vehicles were among the least stolen over the reporting period. Despite the Tesla Model Y being the most popular EV sold in Australia in 2024 and 2025, CSV reports none of these vehicles stolen in the year ending September 2025.

When expanded to cover all models, CSV reports a total of seven Tesla vehicles stolen in the year ending September 2025: four Model 3, two Model S and one Model X.

RACV Motoring Editor Andrea Matthews says Tesla's technologies are one possible reason why electric vehicles are among the least stolen vehicles in Victoria.

"Tesla vehicles use their on-board cameras as part of its Sentry system which can record movement around the vehicle and send the data to the owner's mobile phone." Matthews said.

"It's a valuable deterrent as thieves are unlikely to want to be recorded in the act. Other connected car technologies that feature on Tesla vehicles and other EVs include a digital key, where a driver can use their mobile phone as a key. Without a physical key, the car can be much harder to open and start.

"Then there's the physical act of connecting a car to a charger. When the car is locked, and charging, the charge cable cannot be removed from the car, making it very hard indeed to steal the car while it is plugged in."

Where are cars being stolen from?

Data from CSV shows the street or footpath was the single most common location for motor vehicle theft in the year ending September 2025, with 10,172 thefts recorded - a 32 per cent increase on the year ending September 2024. 

While this data may justify many motorists' perception of the street as the riskiest location to leave your vehicle, it shouldn't dissuade you from taking precautions when parked at home either.

That’s because the second most common location for a vehicle to be reported stolen from is your home or someone else’s, with 7,083 vehicles stolen from private dwellings in the year ending September 2025.

Victorian councils where the most car thefts are occurring 

In metropolitan Melbourne, the local government areas (LGAs or councils) that had the highest number of motor vehicle theft offences for the year ending September 2025 were:

1. Casey (2,026 thefts) 
2. Melbourne (1,830 thefts) 
3. Hume (1,825 thefts) 
4. Wyndham (1,783 thefts) 
5. Greater Dandenong (1,323 thefts) 

However, these LGAs all represent some of the largest and/or most populous councils in the metropolitan region. When adjusted for population over the same 12‑month period, a different picture emerges. When the data is broken down by the rate of thefts per 100,000 people in the LGA, the top councils for motor vehicle theft were:

1. Melbourne (940.5 thefts per 100,000 people) 
2. Maribyrnong (919 thefts per 100,000 people) 
3. Port Phillip (868.2 thefts per 100,000 people) 
4. Greater Dandenong (783.6 thefts per 100,000 people) 
5. Darebin (759 thefts per 100,000 people) 

The top locations for motor vehicle theft in Melbourne

The Victorian regions recording the most motor vehicle theft

Regional areas experienced fewer motor vehicle thefts than metropolitan Melbourne, both in total incidents and in the rate per 100,000 people. The regional LGAs with the highest number of recorded motor vehicle theft offences for the year ending September 2025 were:

1. Greater Geelong (905 thefts)
2. Ballarat (764 thefts)
3. Greater Bendigo (467 thefts)
4. Latrobe (465 thefts)
5. Greater Shepparton (350 thefts)

When adjusted for population over the same 12‑month period, the regional LGAs with the highest rate of motor vehicle theft per 100,000 people were: 

1. Ballarat (617 thefts per 100,000 people)
2. Latrobe (585.3 thefts per 100,000 people)
3. Greater Shepparton (496.2 thefts per 100,000 people)
4. Pyrenees (485.7 thefts per 100,000 people)
5. Mildura (422.8 thefts per 100,000 people)

The top locations for motor vehicle theft in regional Victoria

How can I help prevent my car being stolen? 

Always lock your vehicle 

Keep your car locked at all times, including while driving. Do not leave your car unattended while running and always close all windows before walking away from your vehicle. Victoria Police also recommends you lock your car doors while driving.

Park off-street 

Wherever possible, park your vehicle in a lockable garage or behind locked gates. It doesn't guarantee your car won't be stolen, but it does make it harder and can deter opportunism.

Don't leave items in your car 

Take all valuables from your vehicle, even if just running into the shops. Avoid leaving bags in your car, even if they don't contain valuables, as this can tempt thieves.

Use a steering wheel or OBD-port lock

Steering wheel locks can help deter opportunistic thieves, while an OBD port lock can stop thieves from electronically accessing cars with keyless ignition.

Store your keys somewhere safe and away from your vehicle 

Leaving your car keys right next to your front door can provide easy access for thieves, who can even 'bounce' the signal from the key fob to open your car remotely. Store your keys away from your car and consider a radio frequency identification (RFI) blocking storage container, such as a Faraday bag or box.

More: What is a Faraday bag and how can it help prevent car theft?

What car security features should buyers look for?

For those in the market for a new car, security should sit alongside price, fuel efficiency and safety when comparing models. Research and comparison tools that allow buyers to compare features across vehicles – such as Car Match – can help highlight where security protections differ between models. 

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