It’s never pleasant to be the victim of a car theft. Even if you have the right car insurance to cover you, nothing can quite prepare you for seeing an empty spot in your driveway where your car is supposed to be.
By the time you finish this article, a car will likely have been stolen somewhere in Australia. In 2025, car theft rose by 8 per cent nationally, with 65,603 vehicles pinched.1 It has particularly spiked in Victoria where, in the 12 months to June 2025, more than 12,000 vehicle theft claims were recorded.2
The good news? Modern technology means there are now more ways than ever to deal with car thieves and their evolving tactics – and more options available to help track a stolen car if you unfortunately find yourself part of the statistics.
In this guide, we’ll explore how the latest car anti-theft devices and technology may help track your vehicle, how thieves are bypassing security today and some important steps to take if you ever find yourself staring at an empty parking space in a sweat.
Remember: Never risk your or your family’s safety for a car
But before we dive into some of the high-tech ways you may be able to track a stolen car, let’s establish the golden rule of vehicle theft. Whatever the circumstances, never put yourself between a car thief and your car.3
“It’s so not worth it,” says Stephen Ottley, motoring journalist and CarsGuide Senior Contributor. “It’s just a car at the end of the day. Cars are replaceable, people aren’t.”
If you are able to track your stolen car, do not confront the thieves yourself or try to recover the car – contact Triple Zero (000).4
Can I track my stolen car?
The short answer is yes. It is possible to track a stolen car if it’s fitted with the right technology, whether from the factory or aftermarket.
“Many newer cars are fitted with a SIM card or an eSIM and can connect to the same cellular network as your mobile phone,” says Ottley.
“This is called connected services. You can then typically control functions of the car with an app on your smartphone like locking and unlocking, sounding the horn, starting the engine and sometimes the climate control. But most of them let you track the exact location of your car as well.”
Examples of new vehicle connected services include the Ford App,5 the Tesla app,6 Hyundai Bluelink7 and Toyota Connected Services.8 If your car is newer, your dealer should be able to tell you if your car has connected services.
“However, you should be aware that a thief can disable connected services if they’ve hacked into your car using the on-board diagnostics (OBD) port,” warns Ottley. “Hence you should strongly consider an OBD port lock for your car.”
We’ll cover OBD port locks in more detail further on but first let’s take a snapshot of how car thieves are commonly getting their hands on other people’s cars nowadays.
How are cars stolen today?
Older movies can often depict bumbling car thieves tapping two wires together to hot-wire a car. Times have very much changed, and the technology that criminals use to steal cars has become more advanced as modern vehicles are essentially computers on wheels.9
The majority of car thefts in Australia tend to happen at home, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data.10 Vehicles are typically stolen with their own keys, which thieves simply use to unlock the car and drive off.11
Car thieves now also use third party electronic devices that can mimic your vehicle’s key fob, start a car without ignition or override security systems such as an immobiliser.4 More than a quarter of vehicles stolen in Victoria in 2025 were taken using the OBD port or key-cloning tools, say Victoria Police,12 who confiscated 800 key-cloning devices in 2025 alone.12
In fact, in Victoria, key reprogramming devices have contributed to the highest levels of vehicle theft since 2001.4
Keep your car safe: Top security tips and car anti-theft devices
When it comes to preventing car theft, your best defence is likely to be a layered approach.4
According to Victorian Police, to make stealing your car seem like hard work for an opportunistic thief, it can involve a mix of basic home security, parking habits and the right physical deterrents.4 From locking your car in the garage to installing the latest car anti-theft devices, here are some steps to consider.
Always lock up your car and your home
Lock vehicle doors every time and close your car’s windows and sunroof.11 If left open, they show thieves that your car isn’t secure.11 Secure your property too – eight out of 10 homes are entered by car thieves via unlocked doors or windows.13
Move your car out of sight
Park your car in a secure place such as a garage, carport or gated driveway.11 If you own a vehicle that features on lists of the most stolen cars in Australia, such as a Holden Commodore or Toyota Land Cruiser,4 this precaution may be especially relevant. If you have to park on the street, leave your vehicle in a brightly lit area.11
“A lock-up garage is the gold standard,” says Ottley. “Or, if you maybe have a valuable classic car, the platinum standard would be fitting a lockable bollard in front of your car or garage.”
Fit an immobiliser if you have an older car
Engine immobilisers have been legally required for any new car sold in Australia since 2001.14 An immobiliser is built into your car and pairs with a key or fob specifically coded to your vehicle, which means the car won’t start without it.15
“If your car is older than 2001, a basic two-point, self-arming immobiliser can cost around $500 fully installed,” says Ottley.
Consider fitting an aftermarket GPS tracker
When it comes to the ultimate stolen car tracking device, a GPS tracker could be it. This device has an internal GPS receiver, which uses satellites to pinpoint the location of your car – which is then transmitted over LTE (mobile cellular network), accessible by digital dashboard.16
The GPS Tracker VL101G is the “nuclear option”, says CarsGuide.17
The small, discreet unit connects directly to your car’s battery and can even cut power from the engine remotely but requires professional installation.
“This is as good as it gets for tracking your car if it's stolen,” says Ottley. “For something like this you’ll need to have your own SIM card and pay for a plan that includes about 3GB of data per month.”
Install an OBD port lock
When even the police are recommending a specific technology,4 it’s probably worth considering. If your car has an electronic push-button start, a universal OBD port lock costs about $90 from your local auto accessories store and can be fitted in minutes.18 The OBD port itself is a small socket typically mounted at the front of the car’s interior and into which a mechanic can plug a computer to track important engine-health information and check for error codes if a warning light has come on.19
By restricting access to this port, an OBD lock may help stop thieves from being able to connect electronic devices that can override security systems and reprogram blank key fobs to start your car.20
Use a steering wheel lock or similar
A steering wheel lock remains one of the best car theft prevention devices as it helps to make stealing your car seem more trouble than it's worth to a would-be thief, says Ottley.
“The more visibly it says ‘this will be a massive pain to remove’, the better,” he explains. “Some steering wheel locks now also connect to the seatbelt, making them even more of a deterrent.”
Consider fitting a Cloud-connected dash cam
Dash cams can help take the guesswork out of proving what happened if you need to make an insurance claim or police report. Beyond that, some newer, Cloud-connected dash cam models with GPS capability may also be able to support live vehicle tracking in the event of a theft.21
Are AirTags good to track stolen cars?
Apple AirTags – small, battery-powered Bluetooth devices you can use to help find things such as lost keys – can be both friend and foe when it comes to car theft. In Australia, some car thieves are hiding AirTags on target vehicles to track them to an owner’s home, where the car can be stolen later.22
But you can also use an AirTag to track a stolen car by hiding it in a vehicle.
“Just know that if the person who’s stolen your car has an iPhone, they’ll probably be notified that an AirTag is nearby, which may prompt them to go searching for it, in order to disable it,” says Ottley. “ So just make sure you hide the device very, very well within the car. If a thief is notified about an AirTag and unable to find it, it might be enough to scare them into dumping your car.”
What actions to take – and not take – immediately for a stolen car
If you’re wondering what to do if your car is stolen, there are simple steps you can take – and some you shouldn’t:4
1. Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in the middle of an incident
If there’s a thief stealing your car – or worse, in your house – dial 000 immediately.4 Let them know if your vehicle has live tracking.4
2. Report the stolen car to police
If you’ve discovered after the fact that your car has been stolen, call the non-urgent police line on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.4
3. Call your insurer
Report the theft to your insurance company as soon as you can.4
4. Don’t intervene
Remember, your safety is far more important than your car.4
5. Put the word out
For better or worse, there are plenty of Facebook groups for stolen vehicles in Australia. You might want to post your car to one for your area or even to your local community Facebook group. However, it’s important to always report the theft to the police before posting about it.23
How do police track stolen cars?
If you have live tracking fitted to your vehicle and you can actively monitor the car, Victoria Police recommends calling Triple Zero (000). Police may ask for your login information to track your car.4
Can a dealership track a stolen car?
Only if your car has connected services, says Ottley. “Even then, a thief can disable this if they’ve stolen your car via the OBD port, hence it’s important to fit a lock to it,” he says.
Does insurance cover stolen cars?
If you’re suddenly dealing with a stolen car, insurance will be one of your first ports of call. But to be covered for theft, you need to have the right type of car insurance policy.
“At Youi, vehicle theft is covered under our Comprehensive car insurance and Third Party Fire & Theft policies,” says Marni Jackson, Youi’s Head of Product – Vehicle and Lifestyle.
“We know it can be overwhelming having your car stolen, so we’ll strive to take care of things to get you back on the road as quickly as possible, including arranging access to a hire car,” says Jackson.24
“Our Comprehensive or Third Party Fire & Theft policies also cover damage to your car caused by attempted theft;25 while the contents inside your stolen car may also be covered, up to $150 per item and up to $750 in total per claim.”26
While GPS trackers, immobilisers and smart parking habits are fantastic for helping to keep your vehicle exactly where you left it, sometimes the unexpected still happens. That’s where having a reliable safety net can come into play. If you’d like to explore cover that offers a little extra peace of mind, consider taking a look at our stolen car insurance options or starting a quote with us today.
1 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics – Theft reaches 21 year high, September 2025
2 Source: Insurance Council of Australia – Motor theft claims skyrocket in Victoria but fall in other states, September 2025
3 Source: Crime Stoppers Victoria – Level Up Against Car Theft, n.d.
4 Source: Victoria Police – Motor vehicle theft, May 2026
5 Source: Ford Australia – Ford App, n.d.
6 Source: Tesla Australia – Tesla App, n.d.
7 Source: Hyundai Australia – Bluelink App, n.d.
8 Source: Toyota Australia – Connected Services, n.d.
9 Source: ABC News – Criminal gangs using key programming devices to steal cars at level not seen in Victoria in decades, police say, February 2025
10 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics – Majority of car thefts happen at home, March 2024
11 Source: South Australia Police – Keep your car safe at home, n.d.
12 Source: ABC News – Gone in 15 seconds: thousands of Victorian cars stolen using high-tech devices, March 2023
13 Source: Source: NSW Police – Lock it or lose it fact sheet, n.d.
14 Source: Australian Government – Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 82/00 – Engine Immobilisers) 2006, n.d.
15 Source: Ford Australia – What are the Ford anti-theft devices?, n.d.
16 Source: CarExpert – How to keep track of your car with these cheap devices: AirTag v SmartTag+ v GPS, March 2023
17 Source: CarsGuide – Car tracking devices: Everything you need to know, March 2025
18 Source: Supercheap Auto – Aerpro Universal OBD2 Port Lock, n.d.
19 Source: Jaycar – Unlock Your Car’s Potential with OBD Devices, May 2020
20 Source: Neighbourhood Watch – Should you buy an OBD lock?, n.d.
21 Source: Techradar – Thinkware’s new U3000 Pro dash cam acts as a sentry for parked cars and can track stolen vehicles, November 2025
22 Source: Crimestoppers – Campaigns, n.d.
23 Source: Drive – The AirTag heist: The small device leading car thieves straight to your door, August 2025
24 Available with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft policies only. Limits and exclusions apply. For full details, see the PDS.
25 Available with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft policies only. Exclusions apply. For full details, see the PDS.
26 Cover does not extend to the contents of a trailer. Available with Comprehensive and Third Party Fire & Theft policies only. Limits and exclusions apply. For full details, see the PDS.
