Car theft rating: which cars are stolen most often and how to protect them

In 2020, the problem of car theft in Russia remained acute: according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, about 150-200 cases vehicle theft. Despite the development of security systems, hijackers adapted to new technologies, found vulnerabilities in electronic keys and used advanced hacking methods. Statistics from that period show that foreign brands were leaders in anti-ratings, but domestic models did not stand aside.

A feature of 2020 was the increase in the number of thefts using CAN buses — a digital interface connecting all electronic systems of the car. Attackers have learned to connect to it via a diagnostic connector or even remotely, bypassing standard alarms. At the same time, classical methods - for example, theft with a duplicate key or "jamming" the alarm - still remained relevant. In this article, we’ll look at which models are among the most susceptible to theft, why they became targets, and what can be done to protect themselves.

Top 10 most stolen cars in 2020: official statistics

According to the VSK Insurance House and the analytical center Autostat, in 2020, the leaders in theft were predominantly foreign models of the middle and premium segment. The main selection criteria for hijackers are: liquidity on the black market, the ease of hacking electronic systems and the demand for spare parts. Below is a rating based on the number of insurance claims and calls to the police.

Place	Car model	Number of thefts (units)	Main reason for theft
1	Toyota Camry (2015–2019)	1 842	High liquidity, weak standard alarm
2	Hyundai Solaris (2017–2020)	1 560	Popularity, immobilizer vulnerability
3	Kia Rio (2016–2020)	1 430	Likewise Solaris, demand for spare parts
4	Mitsubishi Outlander (2014–2018)	1 205	Theft for resale to CIS countries
5	Land Rover Range Rover (2013–2019)	980	Premium class, weak CAN bus protection

Important: in 2020, more than 60% of thefts occurred in cars with keyless entry, where attackers used relay attacks to copy the key fob signal. Models were especially vulnerable Toyota and Hyundai/Kia with the system Smart Key. Owners of such cars were advised to disable the keyless entry function or use signal blockers.

Why did the hijackers choose these particular models?

The logic of car thieves is simple: the faster and cheaper a stolen car can be sold, the higher its attractiveness. In 2020, the choice was influenced by three key factors:

• 🔧 Vulnerability of electronic systems: models with CAN bus without encryption (for example, Range Rover until 2018) were hacked in 10–15 minutes.
• 💰 Black market demand: Toyota Camry and Mitsubishi Outlander easily resold to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Caucasus.
• 🔄 Demand for spare parts: Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio disassembled parts for unofficial service stations.

Interesting fact: theft has increased sharply in 2020 electric vehicles (for example, Nissan Leaf), despite their low prevalence. The reason is weak protection of charging stations, through which the hijackers gained access to the on-board computer. Cases of theft have also become more frequent used cars, where owners saved on alarms by relying on standard systems.

⚠️ Attention: If your car is in the top theft list, never leave the key within the range of the key fob (for example, at the front door). Hijackers use scanners that pick up signals even through walls.

Regions of Russia with the highest theft rates in 2020

The geography of theft in 2020 remained virtually unchanged compared to previous years, but new “hot spots” appeared. The leaders remained:

1. Moscow and Moscow region - 35% of all thefts (especially areas near the Moscow Ring Road and residential areas).
2. St. Petersburg and Leningrad region — 18%, mainly theft of premium cars.
3. Krasnodar region — 12%, related to the transit of cars to Abkhazia and Georgia.
4. Rostov region — 9%, high demand for budget foreign cars.
5. Tatarstan and Bashkortostan — 8%, theft for disassembly for spare parts.

A feature of 2020 is the increase in theft in border regions (Belgorod, Kursk regions) due to simplified export of cars abroad. There has also been an increase in the number of thefts in cottage villages, where the owners rarely installed additional alarm systems, relying on the security of the territory.

How car thieves hacked cars in 2020: methods and schemes

Theft technologies have become more complex in 2020, but the basic schemes remain the same. Here are the most common methods:

• 📶 Relay attack: two car thieves use devices to amplify the key fob signal (one is at the door of the apartment, the other is at the car).
• 🔌 Connection to CAN bus: via diagnostic connector (OBD-II) or by opening the instrument panel.
• 🔑 Copying a key: using special scanners (for example, XTool X100 Pro) a duplicate is created in 5–10 minutes.
• 🚗 Tow truck hijacking: the car is loaded onto a tow truck in 2–3 minutes, often using fake documents.
• 💻 Hacker attacks: hacking the on-board computer via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (relevant for premium cars).

The fastest way to steal in 2020 is relay attack. According to experts, 40% of thefts Toyota and Hyundai That's exactly what happened. Owners often did not even realize that their key had been copied until the car disappeared from the parking lot. Another popular method is CAN injection, when the hijacker connects to the bus and emulates the signals of the standard key.

How to protect yourself from a relay attack?

Use faraday cover for the key (blocks the signal) or disable the keyless entry function in the car settings. Also help CAN bus blockers, which physically break the circuit when unauthorized access is attempted.

Effective anti-theft measures in 2020: what really worked

Despite the sophisticated methods of hijackers, in 2020 there were proven methods of protection. It is important to understand that Alarm alone is not enough — a set of measures is needed. Here's what the experts recommended:

Install a feedback alarm (for example, StarLine or Pandora)

Use a mechanical steering wheel or gearbox lock

Close the diagnostic connector OBD-II in a metal casing

Install a GPS tracker with a SIM card (for example, Navtelecom or Scout)

Disable keyless entry function-->

One of the most reliable solutions in 2020 was considered to be the installation immobilizer with dynamic code (for example, Fortin or Pandora D-007). Such devices generate a unique code every time the engine is started, making copying the key almost impossible. Also helped:

• 🔐 CAN bus blocker (for example, CanLock) - physically breaks the chain during a hacking attempt.
• 📡 Two way alarm with a tilt and motion sensor (notifies of an attempted tow theft).
• 🔧 Secret switches (hidden buttons that turn off the fuel pump or starter).

A critical mistake many owners make in 2020 is ignoring car firmware updates. Manufacturers regularly released patches for CAN bus vulnerabilities, but less than 30% of drivers installed them. For example, Toyota released an update for Camry 2018, closing a gap in the keyless entry system, but it was ignored by most.

⚠️ Attention: If you're buying a used car from the top 10 stolen cars, be sure to check its history through traffic police and services like Autocode. Car thieves often counterfeit vehicle titles and sell cars through resellers.

What to do if your car is stolen: step-by-step instructions for 2020

If your car does go missing, you need to act quickly. In 2020, the chances of returning a stolen car were higher if you followed a clear algorithm:

1. Call the police by number 102 and report it stolen. Indicate the make, model, license plate number, VIN and signs.
2. Activate the tracker (if installed) and provide your location to the police.
3. Contact your insurance company (if you have a CASCO policy) and provide a copy of the statement to the police.
4. Check the security cameras in the parking lot or in the yard - this can help identify car thieves.
5. Post information on social networks and forums (for example, Drive2 or Avto.ru).

In 2020 approx. 20% of stolen cars managed to be returned within the first 48 hours thanks to the prompt actions of the owners. It was especially effective to use GPS trackers with function Geo-Fence (notification when leaving the zone). However, if the car fell into the hands of professional car thieves, the chances of recovery were sharply reduced - it was often dismantled for spare parts or resold abroad.

Forecasts for the future: how theft has changed after 2020

Trends in 2020 have shown that hijackers are actively mastering digital technologies. After the pandemic and the introduction of new security systems (for example, UWB keys in BMW and Mercedes) theft methods have evolved. Already in 2021–2022, cases of hacking appeared through:

• 📱 Mobile applications (theft through vulnerabilities in the software for controlling the car).
• 🔋 Charging stations (for electric vehicles).
• 🌐 Cloud services (hacking of manufacturer accounts, as in the case of Tesla).

However, the basic principles of protection remain the same: integrated approach (alarm + tracker + mechanical interlock) and vigilance (do not leave the key in the access area, monitor software updates). Owners of cars from the top 10 stolen cars in 2020 are advised to:

• 🔄 Update the firmware of the on-board computer (especially for Toyota, Hyundai, Kia).
• 🔒 Install a blocker CAN buses or immobilizer with dynamic code.
• 📍 Use a tracker with the function Geo-Fence and motion alert.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car theft in 2020

Which model was the most stolen in 2020?

Became a leader Toyota Camry (2015–2019) - 1,842 cases of theft. In second place Hyundai Solaris (1,560 thefts), in third - Kia Rio (1 430).

Does an alarm help prevent theft?

There is no standard alarm system, it is easily bypassed. Only effective two-way systems (for example, StarLine or Pandora) with motion and tilt sensors, as well as CAN bus blocking.

Is it possible to return a stolen car?

In 2020, about 30–40% of stolen cars were returned, but more often disassembled or damaged. The chances are higher if a GPS tracker is installed and a police report is filed within the first 24 hours.

Which regions were the most dangerous for thefts?

Moscow and the region (35% of thefts), St. Petersburg (18%), Krasnodar Territory (12%). The level was also high in the Rostov region and Tatarstan.

What to do if a car with CASCO is stolen?

Immediately notify the insurance company, provide a copy of the police report and documents for the car. The insurance company will pay compensation within 10–30 days (depending on the terms of the contract).