Older cars more likely to be stolen

Sydney - It sounds like a question on an intelligence test: Why do today's car thieves target older vehicles with a resale value of just a few thousand dollars rather than ones that have that new car smell?

Figures from Australia show that they do. Three-quarters of stolen vehicles are over nine years old. Police reckon a car built in the 1970s is eight times more likely to disappear than the average vehicle.

RACV Insurance general manager Susan Allen said cars insured for less than 6,000 Australian dollars (5,000 US dollars) accounted for more than half of theft claims. Vehicles less than three years old accounted for only 4.5 per cent of claims.

"I think everyone needs to be vigilant, particularly if they are driving an older vehicle," she said. "If they can possibly afford it, think about fitting an engine immobilizer ... it sounds like a lot of money (but) it's going to be a bigger blow if they get their car stolen."

The slump in thefts of older cars is easy to explain. Engine immobilizers were made mandatory for new cars in 2001.

But that doesn't mean owners of expensive wheels are free from fear. Car-jackings are up. Car thieves are becoming more violent. Expensive models stolen at knife-point - hard to sell locally - are often taken apart and shipped abroad. (dpa)

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