There is a common misconception that the Volkswagen City Golf is the most stolen car in South Africa, and most times that information is stated as a fact. But a 2010 survey done by carinfo.co.za shows that it’s actually Toyota’s that are the most stolen – and for good reason, too.

30% of cars stolen in South Africa are taken across the border, which suggests a number of reasons as to why the Toyota brand is so popular. For one, Toyota’s spare parts are interchangeable between vehicles and they are reliable on the roads of Africa. The top five most commonly stolen cars are:

Toyota Hiace
Nissan 1400
Toyota Hilux
Toyota Venture
Toyota Corolla

Although the survey is from 2010, industry experts say that this is still a true reflection of the situation in South Africa today. Other types of cars that are stolen, include:

Older models, between 7 and 21 years old
Mini buses and sedans
Either entry level or luxury cars (rather than mid market models).

Additionally, location also has an effect. According to the carinfo.co.za, Gauteng has the highest level of stolen cars reported, reporting 27 470 car thefts in the period between April 2013 and March 2014. This is followed by the Western Cape with 9 511, and then KwaZulu Natal with 8 723.

So, next time you’re out shopping for a car, just be aware of your options and maybe opt for something more reliable.

[source: fin24]