Car thefts in Victoria remain near record highs despite stabilising over the past year, with police warning that thieves are increasingly using electronic devices to steal vehicles without needing the owner’s keys.
The latest crime data shows vehicle theft offences rose from 31,531 in the year ending March 2025 to 31,851 in the year ending March 2026, an increase of one per cent. However, Victoria Police says the number remains more than double what it was four years ago.
Police say around 40 per cent of vehicle thefts now involve the misuse of onboard diagnostic (OBD) tools. Separate police intelligence indicates more than 10,000 vehicles are stolen using electronic devices across Victoria every year.
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Victoria car thefts at a glance
Here’s what the latest Victoria Police data reveals:
- 31,851 vehicle theft offences recorded in the year ending March 2026
- Up one per cent from the previous year
- More than 10,000 vehicles stolen using electronic devices annually
- Around 40 per cent of thefts involve OBD tools
- Vehicle theft offences remain more than double the levels recorded four years ago
“While car thefts have stabilised year on year (+1 per cent), the overall number is far too high and is more than double what it was four years ago,” Victoria Police said in a statement.
How does electronic car theft work?
Victoria Police say thieves are increasingly using electronic tools to steal vehicles rather than relying on traditional methods such as stealing keys during home burglaries. Police say many offenders are now using technology capable of accessing a vehicle’s electronic systems and, in some cases, starting a vehicle without the original key.
Police say OBD devices, which are commonly used by mechanics and locksmiths, can be exploited to access a vehicle’s electronics.
In some cases, these devices can be used to:
- Reprogram vehicle keys
- Override security systems
- Start a vehicle without the original key
Police have also warned about the growing use of key-cloning technology, which can allow criminals to replicate vehicle keys and gain unauthorised access to some vehicles.
Read more: Victoria car theft twice NSW level but may fall
Most stolen cars in Victoria
Victoria Police say thieves frequently target vehicles equipped with electronic push-button start systems, particularly models known to be vulnerable to electronic theft methods.
Some of the most commonly stolen vehicles in Victoria include:
- Holden Commodore
- Toyota LandCruiser
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota HiLux
- Toyota RAV4
- Subaru Impreza
The data highlights significant increases in thefts of several popular models between 2022 and 2025.
Toyota LandCruiser thefts increased from 89 incidents in 2022 to 846 in 2025, while Toyota RAV4 thefts climbed from 47 to 467 during the same period. Subaru Impreza thefts also rose sharply, increasing from 31 incidents in 2022 to 445 in 2025.
Police have previously identified Holden, Toyota and Subaru models with push-button start technology as common targets for electronic theft methods.
Read more: How Toyota Australia plans to tackle rising vehicle thefts
Calls for tougher action
Former Victoria Police detective Charlie Bezzina has warned that rising vehicle thefts could contribute to higher insurance costs for motorists and has called for tougher penalties for repeat offenders, arguing stronger deterrents are needed to address persistent vehicle theft offences.
The comments come as Victoria Police continues to battle increasingly sophisticated theft methods, including electronic key-cloning and vehicle reprogramming devices.
How to protect your car from theft
Victoria Police recommends several measures to help reduce the risk of vehicle theft.
These include:
- Locking doors and closing windows
- Parking in secure, well-lit areas
- Keeping keys out of sight and away from entry points
- Using a steering wheel lock
- Installing an OBD port lock on push-button-start vehicles
Police say OBD port locks are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and can make it more difficult for thieves to access a vehicle’s electronic systems.
While vehicle theft growth has slowed, Victoria Police says motorists should remain vigilant as thieves continue to adopt increasingly sophisticated methods to steal vehicles without keys.
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