| Over the past few years, statistics have shown that | | | | them out there. In addition, many of the parts are |
| car theft is becoming more and more of a problem in | | | | interchangeable across several years, making them |
| the United States. Whether your car is parked in | | | | popular targets for dismantlers. In general, imports |
| your driveway, on the street, or in a parking lot, it | | | | fare much better than domestics. |
| could be at risk. Each year, nearly a million cars, | | | | With such a wide range of stolen cars, how can you |
| trucks, and other vehicles are stolen. What makes | | | | prevent it? By far the number one car theft |
| your car easy to steal, and what can you do about | | | | prevention tactic is to never leave your car unlocked, |
| it? | | | | and never leave your key in the car. Nearly a quarter |
| Car theft statistics may surprise you. Statistically | | | | of all stolen cars are stolen with the owner's keys. |
| speaking, most car thefts do not involve expensive | | | | Even if you're just running inside for a second, that is |
| or exotic cars taken for joyrides. More thieves target | | | | all a thief needs. This is especially true if your car is |
| vehicles that they can steal quickly, with an intent to | | | | on the Top 10 list- these are known by car thieves |
| resell or strip down the vehicle. In addition to | | | | as being particularly easy to steal because of their |
| joyriders and resellers, your car may be stolen by | | | | design. Thieves are always looking for the easiest |
| those looking for transportation, perhaps in order to | | | | target, so avoid giving them an easy way to gain |
| commit other crimes. This is one of the major | | | | access into your car. |
| reasons why it is so important to report a car theft | | | | With the current economic climate, as many people |
| to the police as soon as it happens. | | | | find themselves in a worse financial situation, the |
| The most commonly stolen vehicles are not sport | | | | number of people who are tempted to steal a car will |
| and luxury cars, although they are certainly popular | | | | likely increase. You should be aware of this increased |
| targets. Perhaps surprisingly, all of the top five most | | | | threat, and take steps to prevent it. |
| frequently stolen vehicles are older than 2000. They | | | | If you're worried about your car getting stolen, you |
| include nearly every major make, including Honda, | | | | may want to invest in OnStar, Lojack, or other |
| Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, and Acura. Only two cars | | | | systems for tracking stolen cars. However, there are |
| on the top ten list were made since 2000- the 2004 | | | | certainly other options that can effectively safeguard |
| Dodge Ram, coming in at number 7, and number 10, | | | | your vehicle. Some thieves will break into your car |
| the 2007 Toyota Corolla. What can these statistics | | | | with an aim not to steal it, but to steal the |
| teach you? For one, if you think you're safe from car | | | | possessions you've left inside. Instead of leaving |
| thieves because you drive an older import car, you're | | | | objects in plain sight, store them in the trunk, or in a |
| not. | | | | diversion safe. Always park in well lit, secure areas. |
| The top spot is taken by the 1995 Honda Civic, | | | | This can reduce the likelihood not only of car thefts, |
| followed by the 1991 Honda Accord. Both cars were | | | | but also mugging, carjacking, and other dangerous |
| top sellers for many years, and there are many of | | | | situations. |