None of us want to hear about cars being stolen from hijackings or vehicles being broken into for valuables. However, this is a reality that might affect you. 

Increased pressure from police and advances in security technology have made hijacking more difficult. As a result, criminals will act with speed and will look for ‘easy’ targets. Hijackers are risk-takers and will often resort to violence to evade capture.

So what can you do to keep your car safe? And what are the most stolen cars in South Africa? Read on to find out what you can do to stay safe, which cars are high risk, and which areas in South Africa are hotspots.

Make Sure You Are Protected

A theft of your motor vehicle is the last thing you want to think about. But it’s always best to plan for the worst – and hope for the best.

In the unfortunate chance you are in an attempted hijacking, it is important to keep your distance and react calmly. Being prepared with the appropriate insurance and practicing safe habits can help you to make the most of a bad situation.

Protect yourself from the financial strain of an accident, theft, fire, and damage inflicted on a 3rd party. Making sure you’ve compared insurance quotes for your car in South Africa and are covered before hitting the roads is important.

Most Stolen Cars in South Africa in 2019

Hijackings in South Africa are not uncommon, sadly. And having a high-risk car can affect a number of things, but how is this determined? A simple look at past statistics is done to

To find the most stolen cars in South Africa, or those at the highest rine. 

The most stolen car in South Africa in 2019 was the Volkswagen Polo followed by the Toyota Hilux. In comparison, the most stolen cars in South Africa in 2018 were Toyotas. 

You might have already guessed that the most expensive cars in South Africa are not the most stolen. When looking at the most popular car brands in South Africa, it’s easy to see a correlation with those often targeted by hijackers. 

More Volkswagens on the road means more opportunity for one to appear on a crime statistic. Cars that stand out mean the criminals are easier to catch – and no clever criminal will put themselves in that situation. 

But again, knowing this gives us the power to protect ourselves and make sure we have the necessary cover on our vehicles. 

Volkswagen Polo – The Most Popular Choice

The Volkswagen Polo continues to be the most popular model with citizens and with thieves. Volkswagen is very popular in South Africa as the company recently celebrated the production of 161 954 vehicles from the Uitenhage plant in one year. The iconic ‘VW’ badge rests upon  20% of passenger vehicles in South Africa.

A good tip for car safety is to install an alarm system if you own a Volkswagen. Without one, a criminal has more time to look for valuables or start the car without the keys. Some alarms even trigger upon tampering with the door lock.

Ford Figo Problems in South Africa

The Figo is the entry-level passenger car offered by Ford. A potential security risk was confirmed by Ford for the previous Ecosport and Fiesta models, which were susceptible to tampering with the driver’s door lock. 

Thieves can force the driver’s door open without creating a disturbance or setting off the alarm. 

The vehicle’s immobiliser should prevent the car from starting without the keys. Ford actioned a new alarm that will remain armed if the doors are breached. The alarm installation depends on the spec level and model of the car and usually costs around R160.

Toyota Fortuner and Hilux Engines

In South Africa, Toyota has the most commonly used engine. The Fortuner and Hilux model share the same ‘work-horse’ engine as the Quantum Taxi. This favours these cars to be stolen and sold for parts. The vehicle is efficiently stripped, and engines are sold within hours of being removed.

Other Most Hijacked Cars in South Africa

Looking at the top stolen cars in South Africa from 2017 until 2020, we see Volkswagen Polos are the most often hijacked model. 

ENaTIS, the electronic administration traffic information system, recorded a live vehicle population of 7 499 678 cars in South Africa. Over a period of a year, starting in 2019, around 99 000 hijackings took place, according to StatsSA. 

Police Minister General, Bheki Cele, reported that 2020 carjacking crimes increased by 13,3% from those recorded in 2019. The Police Minister ensured the residents of South Africa that operational interventions had been deployed, and a decrease of 1.6% was experienced in the second quarter of 2020.

It’s estimated that ⅓ of these vehicles were Volkswagens. The second-most hijacked car in South Africa from 2018 until 2020 was Toyota – with the Hilux model being the most popular.  

Nissan bakkies were recorded as the third-most hijacked vehicles in South Africa. 

Owning High-Risk Cars in South Africa

If you own a car, you have likely felt concern for your vehicle. Some people have more reason to be concerned than others. 

Owning a Volkswagen Polo, for example, poses the highest risk for theft or hijacking in South Africa. However, there are a few things you can do to avoid becoming a crime statistic.

• When entering your vehicle, make sure to manually lock your doors once you are inside. Don’t make a habit of relying on your car’s automatic features.
• Remote jamming is more likely to happen in crowded areas. A thief uses remote jamming to prevent your doors from locking when actioned by your remote. Remain vigilant when leaving your vehicle and manually check that the doors are locked.

Keeping your car safe can include many tips and hacks. Most hijacked cars in South Africa can be recovered if you are prepared and respond correctly. Making sure you have sufficient cover for your vehicle (preferably with tracking) and installing an immobiliser are a good start. Always choose the preservation of your life over your possessions.

Least Hijacked Cars in South Africa

The least hijacked cars in South Africa are a good indication of low-risk vehicles. Chrysler and Volvo were mentioned in 3-5 cases of hijacking over a period of one year in South Africa. The less popular your vehicle’s make and model, the less likely it is to be stolen.

Safest Car in South Africa

Subaru’s all-wheellower-income drive vehicles are some of the most reliable cars in South Africa. Boasting a 5-star rating for safety globally, this brand stands out from the crowd. It offers local servicing and repairs but only represents 0,3% of the cars on South African roads.

Hijacking Hotspots in South Africa

Most hijacked cars in South Africa in 2020 were stolen from urban and lower income areas. When you are on holiday in the Western Cape, remain vigilant and avoid travelling in Nyanga, Harare, and Delft. These are hotspots for hijacking in Cape Town. 

Umbilo is a hotspot for hijacking in Durban, and Johannesburg’s hotspot is in the CBD, more specifically Jeppestown. 

Final Thoughts on The Most Stolen Cars in South Africa

Staying vigilant, driving a low-risk vehicle, and avoiding hot spots can help you avoid being hijacked. 

Hijackers prefer cars that have the keys inside, so remain alert when arriving home or stopping at a red robot.

While looking for the correct car insurance can be stressful, you can drive with some peace of mind once you are covered. Knowing that if an accident or theft were to occur, you wouldn’t be left financially strained.

Alongside our police force, our actions can also deter carjackings from taking place by practising safe habits. If you live in Cape Town, Durban, or Johannesburg, you have most likely been warned before.