For the fourth consecutive year, the Toyota Aqua claims the title of New Zealand's most stolen car, AMI reveals.
AMI Insurance received more than 9,000 vehicle theft and attempted theft claims in 2025.
The lengthy claims list spans more than 760 different makes and models, with the Toyota Aqua making up 8% of all stolen vehicle claims, followed by the Toyota Corolla (7%) and the Nissan Tiida (6%).
The data also shows Toyota Aquas are disproportionately targeted, with a theft rate nearly four times that of the country’s most insured vehicle, the Toyota Corolla.
For every 1,000 insured Toyota Aquas, 54 had a theft claim, compared with 15 per 1,000 Toyota Corollas.
Top regions for vehicle theft rank as follows: Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato, Wellington, and the Bay of Plenty.
AMI Executive General Manager Claims, Steph Ferris, says claims have been relatively lower over the past few years, following a peak in 2023.
“Lower crime rates, improved security systems in newer vehicles, and New Zealanders adopting security practices - including being
more mindful about where they park - likely play a part in this.”
AMI’s top 10 list underscores New Zealanders’ commitment to the practical Toyota brand, with five different models ranking within the top nine, including the Toyota Vitz, which moved up two places.
AMI is also seeing a clear trend when it comes to vehicle age and theft risk, with nearly nine in ten stolen vehicles being older than 10 years.
“Older vehicles often lack modern, electronically encrypted locking systems, making them easier for thieves to compromise.”
Steph notes that there are a number of anti-theft measures to consider, like car alarm systems, immobilisers, fuel cut-out switches, steering wheel locks, handbrake locks, as well as parking behind a locked gate if a garage isn’t available.
Around 64% of stolen vehicles are recovered, and 40% of these are repairable, with the remainder typically written off and auctioned for parts.
Despite some hybrids topping the chart, they account for only around 5% of total thefts, with petrol or diesel-powered vehicles making up the vast majority.
The AMI top 10 stolen cars list
1. Toyota Aqua
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Nissan Tiida
4. Mazda Demio
5. Toyota Vitz
6. Toyota Hilux
7. Subaru Impreza
8. Mazda Atenza
9. Toyota Mark X
10. Mazda Axela
The most frequently stolen vehicle in each region
(regions ranked by claims volume)
1. Auckland - Toyota Aqua
2. Canterbury - Toyota Aqua
3. Waikato - Toyota Corolla
4. Wellington - Toyota Corolla
5. Bay of Plenty - Toyota Corolla
6. Manawatū - Nissan Tiida
7. Northland - Toyota Corolla
8. Hawke’s Bay - Mazda Atenza
9. Gisborne - Mazda Demio
10. Taranaki - Toyota Corolla and Nissan Tiida
11. Otago - Toyota Aqua
12. Southland - Suzuki Swift
13. Nelson - Nissan Tiida
14. Tasman - Mazda Demio and Toyota Corolla
15. West Coast - Toyota Hilux
16. Marlborough - Honda Jazz
