Unfortunately in 2026, hijacking and vehicle theft are still major concerns for motorists in South Africa. And when you're shopping around to buy a car, it’s meant to be fun and exciting. However, when you live in South Africa, which is notorious for having cars stolen, buying a car can feel like quite the challenge.
There are many factors that contribute to why a car would be targeted, from resale value to having valuable and high-demand parts. But if you already have a high-risk car or really want to get one, you don’t have to let the fear of it being stolen stop you from getting it or make you feel pressured to sell it when you have Cartrack’s vehicle tracking and recovery solution.
If you’ve asked yourself, “how many cars have been stolen this year?” we’ve got the answer. According to SAPS, from January 2026 to March 2026, there were 3 609 recorded carjackings, 357 truck hijackings, and 6 945 motor vehicle and motorcycle thefts.
If you’re looking to buy a car, you’re probably more concerned about which specific vehicle model is the most commonly stolen.
The most commonly targeted vehicle types in South Africa are bakkies and SUV's. Bakkies are so popular amongst both families & businesses, so it makes them the best target for opportunistic and calculated thieves alike. They keep thieves under the radar because they blend in easily on the roads, and off-ramps, intersections, and driveways seem to be their prime spots for targeting.
Overall incident split (January–June 2026): 67% Theft / 33% Hijacking
The biggest concern for many South African motorists is how they can protect themselves from vehicle theft. There are quite a few things that you can do to protect your vehicle that’ll give you peace of mind. Let’s take a look at some of these methods.
One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself from vehicle theft is having insurance. Having comprehensive insurance that pays you out during theft or a hijacking is incredibly valuable! It’s important to note that if you buy a vehicle that’s considered high-risk, your insurance premium will more than likely be higher than you expected.
Thieves are smart, and if you have a vehicle they want, there’s a possibility they're going to be watching you. If you leave your house at the same time, take the same route and park in the same spot every single day, you’re creating a routine.
Now, you might think there’s nothing wrong with doing this, but unfortunately you're creating an opportunity for car thieves. They could be watching you for a couple of days, and they’ll plan the best moment to strike.
So to keep yourself and your vehicle safe, try switching up your driving routes and habits.
In South Africa vehicle theft can happen at any time of the day, so you need to ensure that every time you park your car, you do so responsibly.
Here’s what you should never do:
Always be aware of your surroundings after you park and leave your car and when you're returning to your car.
Having a tracking device installed in your car is a must to protect it from theft! A GPS tracker will enable you to always keep an eye on your vehicle no matter where it is. However, if you're serious about keeping your vehicle safe, then stay away from online stores that offer plug-and-play GPS trackers, and get one from a reputable provider like Cartrack.
Tracking devices are Cartrack’s forte; we have high-tech devices that are installed in super discreet places, making it harder for criminals to find and remove them.
Installing an immobiliser in your vehicle is a great added security feature to protect you against theft. These are devices that can either switch your car off if it’s been started without the original key in the ignition or if a hidden button isn’t pressed in time. And if you have a Cartrack tracking device installed, we have a feature called ‘Start Prevent’.
With our app, you can activate the start prevent feature, and if someone breaks into your vehicle, it won’t start without your authorisation.
Car thieves are getting smarter, so you need to be one step ahead of them. If they use a signal jammer to block your main GPS tracking device, without a backup unit that's immune to the jammer, you can kiss your car goodbye!
At Cartrack we have small back up tracking devices called CT Tags. The tag is placed discreetly in your vehicle and works off Cartrack’s unique radio frequency. This smart piece of technology isn’t affected by signal jammers and keeps your car protected.
Having a dashcam can keep you safe on the road and provides valuable evidence in the instance of an accident or road rage. However, it also works as a great deterrent to vehicle theft and can be used to provide evidence if your car gets stolen.
You can’t always have eyes on your car, but Cartrack can help you with that. On the Cartrack app, you can remotely keep an eye on your car with CarWatch. With the press of a button, your car is immediately protected, and you’ll receive an instant alert if your car starts or is moved.
The most important thing you can have to keep your car safe is stolen vehicle recovery. This means if your car gets stolen, there’s a dedicated team that’ll go out and get it for you. WIth Cartrack we work with SAPS and other security companies as well as having our own SVR team to get your car back.
We provide 24/7 protection, so you’ll never have to worry if your car does get stolen. Because at Cartrack we not only provide you with the tools to keep your car safe, but we'll also go out and get it for you!
Don’t believe us, check out our case study…
On August 24th, 2025, Cartrack’s Recovery Team was dispatched for a Toyota Hilux that was stolen in Boksburg. This bakkie type has been on the high-risk car list for years. The recovery team also received information that a black luxury car was used as the getaway vehicle.
Our recovery team followed the location updates provided by the Cartrack GPS tracking device, which led them to Devland. Upon arrival, they spotted the black luxury car and intercepted it.
Inside the vehicle we found:
Aided by the SAPS, our recovery team then searched a property nearby and recovered the vehicle. The suspect was apprehended and detained at the Eldorado SAPS. The vehicle was booked in at the Lenasia Vehicle Identification Services.
It doesn’t matter what car you have; criminals are getting smarter, and you need to outsmart them. So if you want to keep your car safe and stay one step ahead of the criminals, speak to a Cartrack agent today!
Find out what the most stolen cars in SA are this year, what you can do to protect your vehicle, and how Cartrack’s SVR is your best bet to keep your car safe.
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