Top 9 Targets for Car Thieves and How to Protect Your Ride

by AutoExpert   |  14 November, 2024

Share :

Whether you’re cruising around in a shiny new ride or rolling in your trusty old clunker from the early 2000s, there’s one thing you’ve gotta watch out for—thieves. It's not just whole cars they're after; certain parts and personal items are hot on their hit list too. Here's a rundown of the top nine things they eye, plus some savvy tips to keep you from becoming their next victim.

  1. Tires and Wheels: Those new tires and wheels you splurged on? Thieves know their worth too. Armed with the right tools, it only takes minutes for them to swipe your wheels. Yep, a spokesperson from the National Insurance Crime Bureau let slip that rims can vanish before you know it. And since they're tricky to track, selling them is a breeze for the bad guys.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: Wheel locks are your friends here. Also, park close to the curb and angle those wheels sharply if you're on the street—it's a tougher grab for any thief.

  1. Tailgates: It sounds bizarre, but tailgates are a thief’s delight, especially in some truck models like the Toyota Tacoma that are super easy to remove.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: A solid tailgate lock can put a stop to these shenanigans.

  1. Batteries: Ever swapped your car battery? Then you know it's pretty easy to do. And so do thieves. If they can pop your hood, consider your battery as good as gone.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: Throw on some security cables and a padlock, or maybe slap a vibrating window alarm under the hood—it'll kick off a racket if tampered with.

  1. Catalytic Converters: Start your car and hear a horrendous noise? That might be because your catalytic converter has just been pinched. Thieves make a pretty penny off the metals inside, which recyclers pay good money for.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: Look into securing your converter with a special device, and maybe get some etching done for easier tracking.

  1. Airbags: Quick and lucrative to sell, airbags are a major target.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: General anti-theft practices help, but consider a steering wheel lock to safeguard your driver’s side airbag.

  1. Third Row Seats: Love rearranging your SUV’s seating? Thieves do too—they can easily snatch those flexible back row seats.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: Lock ‘em up with a bicycle chain or remove them when not in use.

  1. Registration: Identity theft alert! Crafty thieves might grab your car’s registration for a chance at more sinister scams.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: Keep digital copies on your phone and paper copies on your person, not in your car.

  1. Garage Door Openers: Lifted your garage door opener? That’s an easy in for thieves, leading them right to your doorstep.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: Keep it out of the car. If they don’t know where you live, they can’t use it against you.

  1. Other Items of Value: Electronics, personal info, and accessories—anything of value left in your car could be up for grabs.

Car Thieves

Anti-Theft Tip: Always take valuables with you or hide them well. Thieves even use Bluetooth scanners now, so don’t make it easy for them.

Best Ways To Prevent Car Theft: Park in bright, busy areas when possible. Lock your car always. Hide or take valuables with you. Consider window tinting (but check your local laws first).

What About Insurance? Wondering if insurance covers theft? Well, liability won’t help with theft, but comprehensive coverage usually covers stolen parts (not personal items though, unless you’ve got home or renters insurance). Remember, you’ll likely have a deductible, but it could be a lifesaver.

Recomended:

Ford Tough: These High-Mileage Legends Prove Endurance Is Everything - Photo
Ford Tough: These High-Mileage Legends Prove Endurance Is Everything

Let’s dive into a tale of endurance on the road with the world's highest-mileage Fords that just keep on truckin'. Ever wondered what it takes to hit a million miles? Well, it's a mi

AutoExpert
Driving Modes Explained: Why Your Car Has Them and What They Do - Photo
Others
Driving Modes Explained: Why Your Car Has Them and What They Do

Ever wondered why modern cars come packed with all those different driving modes like ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’? Whether you’re rolling in an SUV that needs to tackle rugged terr

AutoExpert
Unforgettable Car Delivery Experiences: Drive Home in Style - Photo
Others
Unforgettable Car Delivery Experiences: Drive Home in Style

Let’s chat about something that every car lover dreams of—the ultimate delivery experiences from some of the world's top car brands. Think of this not just as buying a car, but as a fu

AutoExpert
Camal Scoperta Is The Ultimate Love Letter To Classic Italian Sports Cars - Photo
Tuning
Camal Scoperta Is The Ultimate Love Letter To Classic Italian Sports Cars

If you love the Caterham Seven but crave something with a bit more style, let us introduce you to the "Camal Scoperta". It’s a full-blown transformation by the creative minds at I

AutoExpert
Rivian Joins Forces With VW For The Golf 9 Electric Revolution - Photo
Car News
Rivian Joins Forces With VW For The Golf 9 Electric Revolution

The Volkswagen Golf is ready to enter a new era with the ninth generation, which will be released in 2029. For the first time in the model's history, the Golf 9 will be all electric, representing

AutoExpert
Fast, Fierce, And Fully Legal: Here's BMW M2 Polizei By AC Schnitzer - Photo
Tuning
Fast, Fierce, And Fully Legal: Here's BMW M2 Polizei By AC Schnitzer

Who says police cars have to be boring? In Germany, they’re rewriting the rules with the “Tune it! Safe!” campaign—a program that transforms high-performance cars into fully st

AutoExpert
The Most Powerful British Cars Ever Built: Legends on Wheels - Photo
Others
The Most Powerful British Cars Ever Built: Legends on Wheels

Hey car lovers, we're here bringing you the lowdown on the most beastly British cars to ever hit the streets. Now, when we talk high-octane, heart-thumping British motors, you might immediately th

AutoExpert
December’s Best Car Deals: Huge Discounts You Don’t Want to Miss - Photo
Tips & Tricks
December’s Best Car Deals: Huge Discounts You Don’t Want to Miss

Ready to snag some sweet car deals this December? Well, here are the deals to make your holiday season a bit brighter—and maybe faster if you're eyeing that Durango Hellcat with a

AutoExpert
The GMC Savana Is A Time Capsule On Wheels, Still Ready For Work In 2025 - Photo
Car News
The GMC Savana Is A Time Capsule On Wheels, Still Ready For Work In 2025

Think automakers have forgotten how to keep things simple? Not GMC. The Savana, a workhorse born in 1996, is still going strong. Rugged, reliable, and refreshingly old-school—it’s a remind

AutoExpert
Kia EV6 GT Arrives With 600+ HP and Fast Charging - Photo
Car News
Kia EV6 GT Arrives With 600+ HP and Fast Charging

Kia has unveiled the all-new GT version of the facelifted EV6, demonstrating that this is not your typical electric crossover. The GT, which makes its debut in Korea, enhances every aspect of the orig

AutoExpert