Is your car on a hijacker’s ”most wanted” list?
We hear a lot of people talk about the ”cars that get hijacked the most” and we at Women on Wheels know how important the subject of safety is to women. So, we asked the question, ”what puts your car at risk of getting hijacked”?
Vehicles between seven and 21 years old are at higher risk of theft, while vehicles between one and four years are at the highest risk of robbery. Mini buses are at the top for cars that are targeted for theft or robbery, and sedans are the most frequent target for criminals. Entry level and cheaper vehicles were also found to be high risk because they are normally seen as an ”easier” target, as well as vehicles with a high market volume.
“When considering buying a new vehicle, it may not be a bad idea to consider these facts. Although this may not influence your final decision, it will help you know what hijackers out there are looking for,” says Gary Ronald of the AA.
In South Africa, statistics suggest that the majority of vehicle thefts are arranged through organised crime syndicates and not conducted by fly by the night joy riders looking for a thrill. The South African motor vehicle market accounts for the disposal of approximately 50% of stolen and hijacked vehicles. Other stolen vehicles may be disposed of through exportation to other countries, 30%, and the remaining 20% going to the second-hand parts market.
It’s not always the brand or age of the vehicle that play a role, other factors that influence the risk profile of vehicles include the effectiveness of anti-theft devices, the role of electronic security devices, desirability of the vehicle, intended markets and the marking of vehicles. Some vehicles are fitted with micro-dots and due to the efficacy of the micro-dotting technology which makes it impossible to hide the original identity or a vehicle, this makes them less desirable to criminals.
As a vehicle owner you should always ensure that your new vehicle has a good quality security device installed. You can also consider installing a tracking device. It is a fact that more than 75% of all stolen and hijacked vehicles fitted with recovery devices are recovered.
Also see our recent article for more information regarding safety tips on hijacking and Cartrack.