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What Are the Most Stolen Car Brands in Joburg? 2025 Update
A city’s love affair with cars, at a cost
Johannesburg’s roads are alive with movement for services, commerce, and daily commutes. Yet, for some, a routine drive turns into a nightmare. In 2025, the Motor City remains a hotspot for hijackings as criminals target vehicles with the highest resale value or demand for parts. From ubiquitous bakkies to stylish SUVs, no model is safe.
Also read: Why You Should Never Ignore a Traffic Fine in South Africa
The usual suspects and some fresh faces
Local sources and crime analysts confirm a familiar trend: hijackers still prefer popular, reliable, and easy-to-strip models.
The Toyota Hilux reigns supreme due to its rugged build and constant demand. It is the most stolen vehicle in both urban and rural areas.
The VW Polo remains a favourite among thieves because it is low-key, common, and easy to sell or strip.
Toyota Fortuner and Ford Ranger also make up the ‘Elite Four,’ valued for private and commercial use.
New targets emerged in 2025, especially with the rise of Chinese SUVs:
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Toyota Corolla Cross, a recent bestseller, is now hijackers’ favourite too.
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Rising stars include the Haval Jolion, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Haval H6, and Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. Their popularity makes them easy to blend in and a big target group.
Other vehicles under attack include the Nissan NP200, Hyundai i20, Kia Picanto, BMW 3 Series, Toyota Quantum, and Mercedes C-Class.
Where it’s happening: Ivory Park leads the nation
New SAPS crime statistics show that between January and March 2025, 4 533 cars were hijacked nationwide, a 15 percent drop from the previous year. Yet, Ivory Park in Midrand took the unwanted top spot with 67 hijackings, nearly one a day.
Other red-flag areas include:
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Mamelodi East and Umlazi
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Jabulani in Soweto, which reported a 119 percent increase year-on-year
Crime’s timeline follows the calendar
Hijacking is not random. Tracker reports a 27 percent drop during the festive December lull but notes surges in February and March and potential spikes in August and November. Fridays and early evenings between 4 pm and 9 pm remain prime time for vehicle crime (Tracker).
A new twist: blue-light gangs
‘Blue-light bandits’ posing as police scam motorists across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape. They flash stolen police lights to force drivers to stop. Common targets include the Hilux, Ranger, Polo, and Fortuner. Some incidents even involve corrupt or former SAPS officers.
Image 1: Professional Van
How to protect yourself
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Stay alert at traffic lights and intersections.
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Keep doors locked and windows up. Do not be distracted by phones or strangers.
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Park in well-lit, secure areas.
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Fit your car with GPS trackers, immobilisers or signal-blocking key pouches.
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If suspect vehicles flash at you, do not stop immediately. Drive to the nearest safe public area or police station.
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Vary your routes and timing.
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Sign up for crime alerts from churches or neighbourhood watches and share updates.
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Always report suspicious vehicles immediately.
A deeper story under the bonnet
Behind these statistics is more than just violent crime: syndicates run logistics and profit from parts exports, showing rising sophistication. Seasonality patterns and hotspot spikes, such as in Ivory Park and Jabulani, indicate shifting crime focus, calling for heightened vigilance.
While national hijackings have fallen, some Gauteng hot spots persist. Blue-light gangs are a grim reminder that criminals are adapting fast. No matter how familiar your car looks in Joburg, the stranger behind it might not be.
Local reaction
On Facebook and community WhatsApp groups, Joburg drivers in Ivory Park and Jabulani post videos showing suspicious bakkies tailing them. One advised, “Always drive to the nearest robot; do not stop for twin-cab pickups with blue lights.”
The cars we see every day, Hilux, Polo, Corolla Cross, and new Chinese SUVs, are top-tier targets in 2025. But the bigger story is how crime networks plan carefully, with specific timing, while blue-light gangs add a chilling layer.
To drive safely in Joburg, you must stay alert, equip wisely, and expect the unexpected. Cars blend in; that is what makes them dangerous. Keep your wits about you.
Also read: Are Random Roadblocks Legal? Your Rights as a Driver in SA 2025
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Featured Image: Vecteezy
