Is your car on the Top 10 list for auto theft?

Is your car on the Top 10 list for auto theft?

By Web staff

Certain vehicles continue to be auto theft magnets. Here are the top ten:

  1. 1991 Honda Accord
  2. 1995 Honda Civic
  3. 1990 Toyota Camry
  4. 1994 Acura Integra
  5. 1994 Saturn SL - parts easy to interchange
  6. 1985 Toyota Pickup - trafficking
  7. 1994 Nissan Sentra
  8. 1994 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
  9. 1993 Dodge Caravan
  10. 1989 Honda Prelude

The National Insurance Crime Bureau says the most common theft locations are park and ride lots and shopping mall parking lots.

Police say thieves look for older model cars that don't have remote control locking and other high-tech systems.

The cars on the Top Ten list are popular for a variety of reasons, including street racing, drug trafficking, and high-demand parts that can be sold online.

To reduce the chance of your car being stolen, the NICB recommends taking what they call a "layered approach" to theft prevention. This means arming your car with more than one means of protection.

  • Have a good security alarm system
  • Use a steering wheel lock, especially if you have an older model car
  • Get your vehicle identification number etched on all your windows, sometimes you can get that done for free.
  • Consider a vehicle tracking system that alerts you, even on your cell phone, when your car is on the move without you in it.

Beyond that, police say make sure you're not doing things that invite car thieves and vandals. According to the thieves, here are some common ways car owners drop the ball:

  • Leaving keys in sight inside the car when they have a keypad entry
  • Leaving purses, wallets and briefcases and packages in view
  • Leaving CD cases or CDs in view
  • Leaving the car unlocked, especially in places where you think it's safe
  • Leaving the car running, even when stepping away for a short time
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