Car Theft 2026

Most Stolen Cars in South Africa 2026

Bakkies and popular hatchbacks are still the cars criminals want most. Here are the most stolen and hijacked cars in South Africa in 2026, the latest SAPS numbers, and what owners of these models should do.

Get a Tracker Quote Check Your Car's Theft Risk

Top 10 most hijacked and stolen cars in South Africa (2026)

This is the 2026 list published by insurer King Price in March 2026, based on SAPS crime statistics, insurance industry reports and vehicle tracking data.

#	Car	Type	Tracker guide
1	Toyota Hilux	Bakkie	Tracker for a Hilux
2	Volkswagen Polo Vivo	Hatchback	Tracker for a Polo Vivo
3	Ford Ranger	Bakkie	Tracker for a Ranger
4	Toyota Fortuner	SUV	Tracker for a Fortuner
5	Hyundai Grand i10	Hatchback	Compare tracker prices
6	Nissan NP200	Half-ton bakkie	Tracker for an NP200
7	Isuzu D-Max	Bakkie	Tracker for a D-Max
8	Toyota Corolla	Sedan	Tracker for a Corolla Cross
9	Kia Picanto	Hatchback	Tracker for a Picanto
10	BMW 3 Series	Sedan	Compare tracker prices

Source: King Price, “Most hijacked cars in South Africa (2026 crime statistics)”, 4 March 2026.

The numbers

Car theft and hijacking in South Africa: 2026 figures

SAPS, January–March 2026

3,609 carjackings, 357 truck hijackings and 6,945 thefts of motor vehicles and motorcycles in the first quarter of 2026, as reported by Cartrack. That is roughly 40 carjackings a day.

Theft vs hijacking

Cartrack's own incident data for January to June 2026 shows about 67% theft (the car taken while parked) and 33% hijacking. Bakkies and SUVs were the most targeted types.

Gauteng is the hotspot

Gauteng records the highest number of hijackings, with hotspots reported in Mamelodi East, Alexandra, Kempton Park and Pretoria West (King Price, March 2026). See hijacking hotspots and prevention.

Models targeted early in 2026

Fidelity ADT warned in February 2026 that the VW Polo, Hyundai Grand i10, Nissan Almera, Toyota Quantum, Hyundai Venue, Suzuki Ertiga and Nissan NP200 were being targeted since the start of the year (reported by TopAuto).

Why these cars are stolen most

Spare parts: the most common cars on the road need the most parts, so stripped vehicles sell easily.
Export demand: bakkies and SUVs are wanted across the border, where they keep their value.
Blending in: a white Hilux or Polo Vivo is hard to spot in traffic once it has been taken.

How to protect one of the most stolen cars

Fit an insurer-approved tracker. Many insurers require one on these models. A wireless recovery unit costs from R89–R99 a month: Matrix Beame, Netstar STARtag, Tracker Retrieve+ or Cartrack Quick.
Add a second layer: a gear lock or immobiliser, and park in well-lit, guarded areas.
Know what to do: keep your tracker's emergency number in your phone (car tracker contact numbers) and read what to do if your car is stolen.

Compare all options on car tracker prices or read the national vehicle theft statistics.

FAQ

Most stolen cars: common questions

What is the most stolen car in South Africa in 2026?+

The Toyota Hilux. It tops the 2026 most-hijacked list published by King Price (March 2026) and has been South Africa's most-stolen vehicle for several years. The VW Polo Vivo and Ford Ranger follow.

How many cars are stolen or hijacked in South Africa?+

SAPS figures for January to March 2026 recorded 3,609 carjackings, 357 truck hijackings and 6,945 thefts of motor vehicles and motorcycles, as reported by Cartrack. That is roughly 40 carjackings a day.

Why are bakkies stolen so often?+

Bakkies such as the Hilux, Ranger, NP200 and D-Max are in demand for spare parts and for export across the border, they hold their value and they blend into traffic, which makes them easier to move after a theft.

Does a tracker stop my car from being stolen?+

A tracker does not stop the theft itself, but it makes recovery far more likely and many insurers require one for high-risk models. Recovery-only units such as Matrix Beame (R99 a month) or Netstar STARtag (R89 a month) are the cheapest insurer-approved option.