Car Myths #36: Car thieves prefer stealing new cars

By Frank-Ling / Apr 29, 2014
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Image: confused.comBy Frank Ling

You’ve got a shiny new car parked on the street but you have concerns about it getting stolen. To combat this you buy an aftermarket alarm system, a “Club” steering wheel locking device, and a bunch of stickers to put on your car that says. “Protect by Ace Security.”

Surely this will deter those who may be eyeballing your new ride for a quick heist. While any new car can benefit from extra security measures, it turns out that this may be money down the old drain.

Find out what types of cars thieves are interested in; the results may surprise you.

Jacking 101


Jacking a car or stealing one is a lucrative business for thieves, but not because of the reasons many people think. Car thieves aren’t interested in a drivable car to sell, they want to chop or strip the car for its parts.

In this case, the whole isn’t worth more than its parts; more money can be made by selling it off piece by piece to (shady) auto repair shops, junk dealers, or through newspaper ads and Internet auction sites.

Old is better


At least for car thieves, old cars are better. The reason why is that parts from older model cars are interchangeable with many different cars over many years. So for instance, car parts coming from an older Honda Accord can be used in other Accords the years preceding it. This makes for a wider appeal for “sales.”

They’re easier to steal


Most cars manufactured during the mid 90s did not have very extensive anti-theft measures, if they had any at all. This lack of security makes these cars easier to steal. Added to the fact that old car parts are in high demand makes this a one-two punch for car thieves.

What you can do


Common sense is a very important factor in keeping your car safe from thieves. They may not steal your car, but they often are tempted to break into cars because they see something that attracts their eyes.

  • If you have a GPS, don’t leave it attached to the window or dashboard. If the GPS comes with a window mount, take it down and put it somewhere secure so you won’t be advertising that you have one.

  • Don’t leave shopping bags, briefcases, gym bags, or anything else that may attract the attention of those on the lookout for a quick score.

  • Park in well lit areas, and keep any valuables out of site.

  • Use a steering wheel locking device on the car. If they can’t drive it, they can’t steal it.


Source: esurance
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