A look at the national numbers behind vehicle crime in South Africa in 2026 — how many vehicles were stolen, how much of that was hijacking, the year-over-year trend, and how theft rates differ by province.
An estimated 45,000 vehicles were reported stolen across South Africa in 2026 — a roughly 3% decrease on 2024 figures, though the picture varies significantly by metro and province.
Hijackings — where a vehicle is taken from the driver, typically by force or threat — account for an estimated 38% of all vehicle-theft incidents, with most occurring in urban centres during evening hours.
The estimated national vehicle recovery rate sits at around 65% for 2026, up from around 62% in 2024 — this figure covers all stolen vehicles nationally, tracked or not.
Across all reported thefts nationally, the average time to recovery sits at roughly 17.2 hours — down from a longer average in 2024.
Theft rate shown per 100,000 registered vehicles, with each province's year-over-year change and most frequently targeted models.
| Province | Theft Rate | YoY Change | Recovery Rate | Most Targeted Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gauteng | 248 | -4% | 68% | Toyota Hilux, VW Polo, Ford Ranger |
| KwaZulu-Natal | 196 | +2% | 62% | Nissan NP200, Toyota Corolla |
| Western Cape | 173 | -5% | 71% | VW Polo, Toyota Quantum |
| Eastern Cape | 142 | 0% | 58% | Toyota Hilux, Isuzu KB |
| Mpumalanga | 131 | +3% | 61% | Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger |
| North West | 127 | +1% | 57% | Toyota Hilux, VW Polo |
| Limpopo | 118 | -2% | 59% | Toyota Hilux, Nissan NP300 |
| Free State | 109 | -3% | 63% | Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger |
| Northern Cape | 87 | -4% | 66% | Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner |
All prices shown include VAT and are provided for transparent, convenient comparison. Once you select a package or submit an enquiry, the relevant product provider may contact you directly to assist with your selection, pricing, and activation.
The Toyota Hilux has, for around eight consecutive years, remained South Africa's single most-stolen vehicle model. The Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Corolla also feature prominently, alongside SUVs such as the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest.
Light commercial vehicles — particularly the Toyota Quantum and Nissan NP200 — see high theft rates linked to their resale value for parts and informal transport use. Truck and trailer hijackings are estimated to have fallen around 7% in 2026, attributed in part to improved fleet security measures.
National data consistently shows tracked vehicles recovered more often and faster than untracked ones. That's a big enough topic that we cover it in two dedicated guides rather than repeating it in full here.
How much a visible, active tracker actually deters theft in the first place.
Read more →Recovery-rate figures for tracked vs untracked vehicles, and what happens after a theft.
Read more →The statistics on this page are compiled from South African Police Service (SAPS) official crime statistics releases, combined with industry-reported vehicle-recovery data from tracking providers and insurers. National totals and percentages are best treated as informed estimates rather than an exact real-time count, since official reporting periods and industry data releases don't always align.
For the underlying official data, see the South African Police Service.
How criminals target vehicles, and practical ways to make yours a harder target.
Read more →The deterrence side of the numbers — how a tracker changes a thief's calculation.
Read more →What actually happens in the hours after a theft is reported.
Read more →Check how exposed your car is, based on model, province and parking.
See how a tracked vehicle's recovery odds compare, and find a plan that fits your vehicle and budget.