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Summarised by Centrist
New data from AMI Insurance shows the Toyota Aqua is New Zealand’s most stolen vehicle, accounting for 8 per cent of all theft and attempted theft claims in 2025.
That puts it ahead of the Toyota Corolla at 7 per cent and the Nissan Tiida at 6 per cent.
For every 1,000 insured Aquas, 54 had a theft claim, compared with just 15 per 1,000 Corollas, despite the Corolla being the country’s most insured car.
The concentration of theft is heavily regional. Auckland leads by a wide margin, followed by Canterbury and Waikato. In most regions, the Aqua or Corolla dominates theft claims.
Insurers say nearly nine out of 10 stolen vehicles were more than 10 years old and often lacked modern, encrypted locking systems. While overall theft claims have eased since peaking in 2023, older, easily compromised cars remain a prime target.
Insurance comparison site Quashed estimates Aquas cost about 37 per cent more to insure than Corollas for comprehensive cover and nearly 50 per cent more for third-party fire and theft. Annual premiums can vary by more than $1,200 between insurers for the same car.
One former Aqua owner said her monthly premium rose from about $72 in 2022 to more than $180 by 2024, even as the car’s value fell to around $7,500.
Insurers advise practical steps like garaging, better lighting, steering locks, immobilisers, and tracking systems, though none guarantee lower premiums.
Around 64 per cent of stolen vehicles are recovered, and 40 per cent are repairable.
Image: TTTNIS
