Most car thefts occur at night, specifically between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., as criminals capitalize on the cover of darkness, empty streets, and sleeping owners. Over two-thirds of all auto thefts take place during these hours, with a high concentration of incidents occurring in residential areas, including driveways and apartment complex parking lots.
This is especially important at night between 2 and 5 a.m. Since most people are asleep, that's the most common time for cars to be stolen.
80% of car crime occurs during the evening or at night. Parking near street lamps or in a busy area can deter thieves. Owners often forget that personal belongings within the car are at as much risk of being stolen as the car itself.
Mouse jacking, relay attack, electronic hacking ...: 7 common car theft techniques and how to protect yourself
The most common times for break-ins occur between 10 am and 3 pm. Rather than being guarded by night, most burglars choose the daytime to attempt a break-in, targeting homes when they believe no one will be present.
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Tesla. Tesla vehicles, especially the more recent models, are one of the hardest automobiles to steal. This is due to the integrated digital ecosystem, which includes the always-on GPS tracking feature that allows Tesla car owners and law enforcement to locate a stolen vehicle with precision.
Dave Ramsey's core car rules emphasize paying cash, avoiding new cars (unless you're a millionaire), keeping your total vehicle value under half your annual income, and using a strict budget, often suggesting the 20/4/10 rule (20% down, 4-year loan, 10% total car expenses) as a guideline if financing, but preferring no debt at all to avoid depreciating assets trapping you. He stresses buying reliable, used vehicles to prevent debt and build wealth.
Lock your vehicle
Locking your vehicle, even when filling up or parked on your drive, greatly reduces the possibility of it being targeted by an opportunist thief. Even if you have locked your vehicle, check you haven't left any windows or the sunroof open.
What car colour has the most thefts? Black is the most popular colour amongst stolen car, with 5,434 thefts in 2024 — more than 14 every day — and grey takes second place with 4,450. This is no surprise considering grey and black are two of the most popular colours for new cars in the UK.
The following models are now classified as high theft and will be subject to a surcharge:
Thieves most often break into cars at night, particularly between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., with peak times often cited as 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., when people are asleep and darkness provides cover. These crimes are often crimes of opportunity, targeting unlocked cars or those with visible valuables, especially in residential areas like apartment complexes and shopping centers.
The least stolen cars consistently include Tesla models (Model 3, Model Y), Volvos (XC90, XC40, XC60), and some electric vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and VW ID.4, often due to advanced security, lower desirability for thieves, or being garaged for charging. Non-luxury models like the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Subaru Crosstrek, and Mini Cooper, along with some Buick and GMC models, also appear on lists from sources like the HLDI and Consumer Reports.
Stolen cars are used as tools to facilitated other crimes such as drug trafficking or as "getaway" vehicles in robberies or burglaries. § As many as 10 percent of all reported thefts of automobiles are fraudulent.
Depreciation. Cars reportedly lose 20% of their value in the first year of ownership and retain just 40% of their original value after five years. Clearly, that is not a good investment. “Your goal should be to buy the least expensive car. Period,” said Orman. “That should steer you to a used car rather than a new car. ...
Which cars have the lowest theft rates? Vehicles with advanced security features and lower market desirability tend to have the lowest theft rates. Notable examples include the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Volvo XC60, Volvo XC90, and Subaru Ascent.
Tesla, Volvo, and Subaru consistently rank as some of the hardest car brands to steal, thanks to advanced tech like GPS, Sentry Mode (Tesla), and robust factory security, alongside luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Lexus (e.g., XC90, A6, RX), with some GM models (GMC Acadia) also showing low theft rates due to sophisticated immobilizers and tracking. Generally, modern EVs and well-equipped luxury SUVs are tough targets.
1) Library or a Study Room. Home library or office room with bookshelves. This is an excellent spot to stash your valuables, especially if you have lots of books. It becomes a tedious task for thieves to search between the books, especially when they only have a short amount of time to pull off the theft.
Male burglars often planned their burglaries more deliberately and carefully and were more likely to visit a potential target ahead of time to gather intelligence. Female burglars appeared to be more impulsive overall, perhaps as a result of being more involved in, and possibly motivated by, substance use problems.
Security is another compelling reason to close your blinds or curtains at night. When left open, windows offer a direct line of sight into your home, potentially exposing valuables or even your daily routines. Opportunistic burglars may find it easier to target homes where they can see what's inside.