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Young drivers face triple the risk of car theft, new data reveals

Their cars are older, their security weaker, and their risk sky-high. Discover why thieves target young drivers—and how to fight back.

, and Administrator

2026 March 30 . 4:10 AM

1 min read

The image shows a bulletin board with a variety of pictures of old cars and people, as well as some... — The image shows a bulletin board with a variety of pictures of old cars and people, as well as some text. The cars are of different models and colors, and the people in the pictures appear to be of different ages and genders. The text on the board is likely related to the cars, providing further information about them.

Young drivers face triple the risk of car theft, new data reveals

New data from AMI Insurance reveals that younger drivers face a far higher risk of car theft. Despite making up less than 10% of the company's customers, those under 25 account for 26% of theft claims. The figures also show these drivers are three times more likely to have their vehicles stolen than older motorists. The most targeted car is the Mazda Demio, topping the list of stolen vehicles. The Mazda Atenza (also called the Mazda6) ranks second, followed by the Nissan Tiida, Subaru Legacy, and Mazda Familia. Rounding out the top ten are the Subaru Impreza, Toyota Hilux, Ford Courier, Subaru Forester, and Honda Civic.

Young drivers often own older, smaller cars that lack modern security features. AMI's data shows the average age of vehicles driven by insured under-25s is 16 years, with most models dating from 2005 to 2007. These factors make their cars easier targets for thieves. To reduce risk, AMI recommends fitting immobilisers, steering wheel locks, GPS trackers, or visible alarms. Installation costs vary: immobilisers run around NZD 200–500, steering locks NZD 100–200, and GPS trackers NZD 300–600. The insurer also offers an online driver education course, which eligible young customers can complete to lower their policy excess by $250.

The findings highlight the vulnerability of younger drivers to vehicle theft. AMI's suggestions focus on practical upgrades and education to improve security. For those insured with the company, completing the online course could also cut costs if a theft occurs.