Top 10 Stolen Cars - 2012

Toronto, ON – December 13, 2012 –Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) released today its annual list of the top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada.  This year there is a new, but returning, hot target for thieves – the 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2DR.  In fact Civics take up the top two places in this year’s list.  Civics have always been high on the list.  It’s a popular vehicle for young people and many of them are stolen and chopped for parts.

The Civic replaces the 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door, which was last year’s number one most frequently stolen vehicle nationally but is the second most stolen vehicle in Quebec.  But more than the change of the top target, investigators are seeing new trends and have more warnings for unsuspecting victims.

 The top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada are:

1. 2000 HONDA CIVIC SiR 2DR
2. 1999 HONDA CIVIC SiR 2DR 
3. 2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SS 4DR 4WD 
4. 2007 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
5. 2005 CADILLAC ESCALADE 4DR AWD
6. 2006 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
7. 2002 CADILLAC ESCALADE 4DR 4WD
8. 2005 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
9. 2004 FORD F350 SD 4WD PU
10. 1999 ACURA INTEGRA 2DR 

Tips for Consumers
Don’t be tricked into buying a stolen vehicle. Consumers should buy used cars from a reputable dealer and run a car history report before making a deal. If buying a used car privately, have it inspected by a trusted mechanic. Also, to avoid having stolen parts put onto your vehicle during repairs, only deal with reputable repair shops. Your insurance company can recommend one.
It’s important to remember that a professional thief can steal your car in about 30 seconds. But there are a few simple precautions that you can take to help make the thief’s target a little harder to reach:

• Never leave your vehicle running unattended
• Park in well-lit areas.
• Always roll up your car windows, lock the doors, pocket and protect your keys.
• Never leave valuables or packages in full view. Put them in the trunk.
• Park your car in the garage at night

Dubin says: “Finally, this one drives me crazy and I see it all the time.   People just leave their keys in the ignition, while going in for a coffee and donut or warming up their car in the morning...  Approximately 20% of all stolen cars have keys in them.”