What Colour Car Gets Stolen the Least Today?

The least stolen cars are ones with bright colours such as orange, green, yellow, and pink. This is because they’re uncommon, easy to notice, and hard to sell. Car thieves tend to go for vehicles in common colours, such as white, grey, and black. This is because they have a higher demand, making them easy to sell. 

With the high vehicle theft numbers in South Africa, it’s also noticeable that some cars are just more attractive to the criminals than others.  There are many factors that go into what makes a car more attractive to thieves. Colour is one of them, but this holds a very small percentage. 

So if you’re wondering how much of an impact the colour of your car (or the one you’re thinking of getting) will make in terms of being a target, Cartrack is here to break it down for you. We’ll also give you tips on strengthening vehicle security regardless of the colour.

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Do thieves really care about car colour?

Yes, car thieves do care about the colour of your car, but it’s not the main thing they look at. Car thieves fear being noticed and constantly think about how much attention a car draws. The brighter your car, the more it stands out, making it harder to hide.

Neutral colours such as grey, silver, black, and white, blend more into traffic. Think about a neon green sports car. How often do you see that? If word goes out that such a car is missing, people will definitely notice it while it’s on the move and report it. But if it’s black, most people will probably drive past it without even flinching. This is what makes bright colours less likely to be stolen.

Remember that car thieves are always looking to make a quick buck. Common colours are easier to resell or strip for parts. This means they have a higher resale value on the black market, thus being a more valuable option. 

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What the research and insurance data says about car colour 

In an article by AutoTrader, Chad Lückhoff stated that after speaking to insurance companies, it’s more about the make and the model than the colour. He further adds that white cars account for nearly half of all sold vehicles, and silver is the second most popular. This makes them more likely to be stolen as well. 

There are also a few other things to note about the influence a vehicle has on your safety. The colour of your vehicle affects your insurance and could save your life. Cars.co.za highlights how: 

• White cars have a 12% lower chance of being involved in accidents and are considered the safest on the road because they stand out in most backgrounds. 
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• Black cars are 47% more likely to be involved in road accidents because they don’t stand out on the road, especially in the dark. They have the highest accident rates. 
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• Owners of darker-coloured vehicles often face higher insurance premiums due to the risks associated with visibility. 

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Other things that matter more than vehicle colour

Vehicle colour only plays a small role in what thieves are looking for. Criminals usually care more about the type of car it is, how easy it is to steal, and how quickly it can be resold. In other words, vehicle colour matters less than its make, model, security features, and location. 

Here’s why: 

• Car make and model: Some cars have a higher demand than others. Thieves usually target popular vehicles, regardless of colour, because they can be sold quickly. Luxury high–end cars may also attract organised crime groups due to their resale value on the black market.
  
  
• Location: Some areas are more prone to car theft than others. There are high-risk zones in all major cities. If you live around such areas, your vehicle is at risk of theft regardless of the colour. Where you park your car also counts. Secure parking, such as garages and carports, provides more protection. If it’s a dark open area, then there’s a greater likelihood of theft. 
  
  
• Security: In one of our articles, we mention how older models may be easier targets because they lack security features such as alarms and immobilisers. The mere presence of visible security devices such as dashcams or steering wheel locks can make a thief think twice about targeting your vehicle. 

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How to choose a car colour wisely

When picking a car colour, think about all the pros and cons, take note of theft trends, but also bear in mind that vehicle colour is only a small contributing factor when it comes to risk. Ensure that you invest in strong security measures such as a GPS tracking unit. That way you get maximum protection regardless of the colour. 

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No matter the shade, Cartrack keeps your car safe

With Cartrack by your side, you don’t have to compromise on the colour you’d like for your vehicle. Whether it’s red, blue, black, silver, yellow, or two-toned, we’ve got you covered! Our solutions are specifically tailored to reduce the likelihood of theft and increase the chances of recovery. 

Here’s what we offer: 

• Stolen Vehicle Recovery: If you ever find yourself in a vehicle theft situation, you can rest assured that we’ll do everything in our power to get it back to you. We’ve got highly qualified recovery agents that are available nationwide and always on standby. Over the past decade, we’ve conducted more than 100,000 successful recoveries, making us a leading stolen vehicle recovery service. 
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• CarWatch: Ensure your vehicle is safe no matter where you park with our smart CarWatch feature. All you need to do is activate the tool on your Cartrack mobile app immediately after you park, and you’ll get an alert as soon as it moves without your permission. CarWatch acts as your virtual car-guard, watching over your vehicle during grocery runs or whenever it’s left in an unsafe environment.
  
  
• Geofence: As an extra measure of security, you can make use of our geofencing feature. This is a function that allows you to create virtual boundaries around areas of your choice. You’ll get alerts whenever your vehicles enter or leave those areas.
  
  For example, you can create a geofence around the high-risk zones in your city. If you happen to lend your car to someone and they go past that zone, you’ll get an alert, then call to confirm their safety or determine if it’s a case of theft. Vehicle recovery chances are higher when the theft is quickly noticed.
  
  
• Road Vision camera: Cartrack’s Road Vision camera solution is yet another way to safeguard your vehicle. It’s a road-facing camera with GPS tracking capabilities, ensuring you always know where your car is. Its visibility also serves as a deterrent to criminals because no one wants to steal a car knowing that their actions are being recorded. 
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• Trip history: All our GPS tracking devices have telematics technology. This means it can sense driving habits such as speeding, harsh braking, and harsh cornering. You can access this information by going through your trip history, replaying routes, and seeing where you can improve. Better driving habits reduce the chances of accidents, therefore making you less of a risk to your insurer. 

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So rare bright-colour vehicles often show lower theft rates in studies, but regional differences, make and model, as well as security measures, matter far more. Vehicle theft goes with popularity, so unpopular vehicles are less likely to be stolen. A thief is more interested in what car you drive and how easy it is to steal. Enjoy the colour you want; just don’t compromise on security. Contact Cartrack today!

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Frequently Asked Questions about car theft and colour

What car do they steal the most?

The most stolen cars are sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes. There’s a high-demand for vehicle models of that nature because of their widespread use in both rural and urban areas. Some of them are easier to dismantle, and due to their popularity, the parts are quick to sell.

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Does a white car stay cooler? 

Yes, a white car usually has cooler temperatures than darker-coloured cars. This is because white surfaces reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat. The reflection keeps the surface temperature lower, which in turn also keeps the interior cooler than that of a darker vehicle that’s left in the sun.