A new wave of car thefts is sweeping Australia—are you at risk?
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Car theft is nothing new, but the methods criminals use are evolving in ways that many vehicle owners never saw coming.
A worrying trend has emerged in Victoria, with thieves bypassing traditional break-ins and using advanced tools to make cars disappear—often without a trace.
What’s behind this surge, and which vehicles are being targeted the most?
Technology-savvy thieves in Victoria had been targeting some of the most popular car models, leading to a sharp rise in vehicle theft, police warned.
Cars had been disappearing from residential streets, driveways, and other public spaces without any sign of forced entry, robbery, or carjacking.
While some cases involved owners leaving their keys in their vehicles, many reported their cars had vanished despite having their keys in their possession.
Authorities noted a surge in cars stolen without keys across Victoria, with up to one in five vehicles taken in this manner.
Thieves had begun using third-party electronic devices to override security systems, a tactic that had already been seen in the US and Britain for several years.
These devices, which could mimic or reprogram keys, had become increasingly available for purchase, making it easier for criminals to bypass security measures.
Once inside the car, offenders could plug the device into the vehicle's diagnostic port and start the engine without needing the actual key.
Popular makes and models, such as the Toyota Prado, had been frequent targets for these technologically advanced thefts.
Cases of Holden Commodores being stolen had jumped by 92 per cent, with 1,377 more vehicles taken in the 12 months leading to January 2025.
Toyota thefts—including models like the LandCruiser, Prado, and RAV4—had increased by 76 per cent, equating to 1,391 additional cases.
Subaru models, such as the Impreza/WRX and Outback, had seen an even steeper rise, with thefts up by 107.8 per cent—402 more vehicles than the previous year.
The growing availability of key programming devices had driven car theft rates to levels not seen in Victoria since 2003.
Between September 2023 and September 2024, 25,773 vehicles had been reported stolen in the state, marking an increase of 6,408 compared to the previous year.
Victorian police had made multiple arrests related to these crimes but urged car owners to remain cautious.
Detective Inspector Julie MacDonald advised, ‘We strongly encourage owners of impacted cars to consider all possible methods to improve their vehicle's security—there are a range of auto shops and websites that stock these anti-theft products, and staff can assist with advising you on what will best suit your vehicle.’
She added: ‘Vehicle owners can also speak with manufacturers or their insurance agents for further advice.’
In a previous story, we explored how Australia’s rising car theft epidemic has driven demand for smarter security solutions.
As criminals continue to find new ways to bypass traditional protections, experts are urging vehicle owners to take extra precautions.
Read more about how this growing crisis is changing the way we approach car security.
With car thieves getting more sophisticated, traditional security measures may no longer be enough. Have you taken any extra steps to protect your vehicle?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A worrying trend has emerged in Victoria, with thieves bypassing traditional break-ins and using advanced tools to make cars disappear—often without a trace.
What’s behind this surge, and which vehicles are being targeted the most?
Technology-savvy thieves in Victoria had been targeting some of the most popular car models, leading to a sharp rise in vehicle theft, police warned.
Cars had been disappearing from residential streets, driveways, and other public spaces without any sign of forced entry, robbery, or carjacking.
While some cases involved owners leaving their keys in their vehicles, many reported their cars had vanished despite having their keys in their possession.
Authorities noted a surge in cars stolen without keys across Victoria, with up to one in five vehicles taken in this manner.
Thieves had begun using third-party electronic devices to override security systems, a tactic that had already been seen in the US and Britain for several years.
These devices, which could mimic or reprogram keys, had become increasingly available for purchase, making it easier for criminals to bypass security measures.
Once inside the car, offenders could plug the device into the vehicle's diagnostic port and start the engine without needing the actual key.
Popular makes and models, such as the Toyota Prado, had been frequent targets for these technologically advanced thefts.
Cases of Holden Commodores being stolen had jumped by 92 per cent, with 1,377 more vehicles taken in the 12 months leading to January 2025.
Toyota thefts—including models like the LandCruiser, Prado, and RAV4—had increased by 76 per cent, equating to 1,391 additional cases.
Subaru models, such as the Impreza/WRX and Outback, had seen an even steeper rise, with thefts up by 107.8 per cent—402 more vehicles than the previous year.
The growing availability of key programming devices had driven car theft rates to levels not seen in Victoria since 2003.
Between September 2023 and September 2024, 25,773 vehicles had been reported stolen in the state, marking an increase of 6,408 compared to the previous year.
Victorian police had made multiple arrests related to these crimes but urged car owners to remain cautious.
Detective Inspector Julie MacDonald advised, ‘We strongly encourage owners of impacted cars to consider all possible methods to improve their vehicle's security—there are a range of auto shops and websites that stock these anti-theft products, and staff can assist with advising you on what will best suit your vehicle.’
She added: ‘Vehicle owners can also speak with manufacturers or their insurance agents for further advice.’
In a previous story, we explored how Australia’s rising car theft epidemic has driven demand for smarter security solutions.
As criminals continue to find new ways to bypass traditional protections, experts are urging vehicle owners to take extra precautions.
Read more about how this growing crisis is changing the way we approach car security.
With car thieves getting more sophisticated, traditional security measures may no longer be enough. Have you taken any extra steps to protect your vehicle?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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