Most are stolen for joyriding and often end up being torched to destroy evidence. Some get broken up for resale of parts. Vehicles are typically worth six to eight times more in parts than a whole vehicle. Some vehicles are stolen for re-birthing, while exotic vehicles may be stolen to order for re-birthing.
Estimated upwards of 1000 of the illegal exports have been stolen in Victoria. Four in 10 unrecovered cars stolen in Australia end up on foreign roads, the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council says. Many are frequently freighted to staging points in Malaysia before heading to the Middle East.
Call 000 as soon as you realise the theft or burglary has taken place. Notify authorities immediately so they can send word to officers on duty to look out for your vehicle. After calling the police, you'll file a stolen car report and provide key information about your vehicle such as model, make, and VIN number.
While it may seem unfair, if you buy a car from a private buyer which is later found to be stolen, you may lose both the vehicle and the money you paid for it. This can also be the case if you purchase a car which is still under finance. Minimise the danger of buying a stolen vehicle by following these tips.
If your stolen car is found undamaged, and it hasn't been used in other offences, the police will contact you and let you know how to pick it up.
Stealing a motor vehicle or vessel is an offence under section 154F of the Crimes Act 1900 which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Statutory write-off
For example, in New South Wales, a car is considered a write-off if repairs would cost more than the car is worth, or if the car has been stolen and not recovered.
Because the parts of a stolen car may be worth more than the vehicle, stolen vehicles often end up in a chop shop. In a chop shop, a mechanic takes the car apart and discards anything that carries your vehicle identification number (VIN), such as the engine or transmission.
How do I check if the vehicle is stolen? Doing a REVs check and PPSR check will get you well informed about the car's history. Getting a PPSR certificate of the car from the Australian Financial Security Authority means that you will learn about the ownership of the vehicle.
Engine immobilisers have been mandatory in all new vehicles in Australia since 2001, but they are usually activated and deactivated using the car's own key.
Taking away a car is considered theft even when the act was done without any intention of concealing it. Stealing is regarded as an indictable offence in Australia. This implies that a person accused of stealing has to appear in the District Court. However, some cases are reviewed at the Magistrates Court as well.
If you have comprehensive coverage, breathe easy! Your car is covered if it's stolen, even if you left the keys inside. If you don't have comprehensive coverage and would like to add it, it's easy to work with an independent insurance agent to add the coverage.
Comprehensive car insurance generally lives up to its name. It'll cover you for a wide range of damage caused by insured events like accidents, theft, fire (including bushfire), storms (including cyclones) and hail. It also has your back if you cause any damage to someone else's car and property.
1) Holden Commodore VE 06 - 13 (898 cars stolen in 2021)
The Holden Commodore VE tops the list, 898 of the VEs were stolen in 2021. Topping out our list. Commodores are also one of the most popular cars on the market, including the older variants.
Brisbane tops the list with more than 3,500 motor vehicle thefts in 2021 - more than 1,000 thefts compared to second placed Gold Coast.
On a National basis, you can also use the Personal Properties Security Register (PPSR) service, which is a national register for recording security interests in personal property, including vehicles.
Invest in a GPS bug detector if you are concerned that someone may be bugging or tracking your car. With one of these devices, you can scan for trackers and bugs more efficiently and quickly and easily pick up on any suspicious activity within range. It's also essential to understand how trackers work.
The process of getting a free rego check is incredibly easy. All you'll need to do is visit the website of the transport authority in your state of residence. These websites enable you to enter your plat number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and instantly see your rego information.
Thieves will steal anything valuable, but the most common items stolen from cars tend to be electronics, personal information, and accessories.
Catalytic converter thefts soar to source precious metals
The thefts have largely risen during times of financial hardship and economic uncertainty, per the NCIB. A black market has also burgeoned where platinum, palladium, and rhodium, the precious metals used in the part, are being harvested.
Unless you are sure your car has stolen, get in touch with TRACE online or by telephone, 0300 077 0100. They also have a text phone service on 0300 123 2050. Gov.uk have further guidance. Reporting theft – Call the Police by dialling 101.
No, but a stolen vehicle has strong odds of becoming a branded title. The important thing to note is that, while a vehicle that has received a branded title due to theft recovery is likely still in great condition.
A write-off is a car that is determined to be too damaged or expensive to repair. In Australia, a car can be written off if the cost of repairing it would be more than the car is worth. This determination is made by an insurance company after assessing the damage to the vehicle.
What happens if my car is written off but it's not my fault? The other driver's insurer should pay you the actual cash value of your car before it was written off.