New Zealand authorities could follow Australia’s lead to reduce the incidence of older cars being stolen, according to National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council Executive Director Ray Carroll.

He says a scheme introduced in the 1990s to fit engine immobilisers in older vehicles in Australia “had a terrific effect” on a problem that was “out of control”.

Under the scheme, owners of older vehicles can have immobilisers fitted at an agreed $220 – up to $200 lower than the normal cost.

Mr Carroll says only 7% of cars fitted with immobilisers have been stolen. The council believes its work has prevented 500,000 car thefts in eight years.

Most stolen vehicles in NZ over the past four years have been imported second-hand from Japan, and more than 80% are more than 10 years old. The most-stolen car is the sporty Nissan Silvia, a second-hand import.

Older cars are more at risk of being stolen because they are usually not fitted with the security technology and alarms that newer cars have.

Subaru NZ MD Wallis Dumper says the inclusion of three Subaru models in AA Insurance’s “10 most stolen cars” list relates to “99% or more of them [being] second-hand used imports” which don’t have the theft deterrents of new models sold through dealerships.

Mr Carroll – whose organisation was set up in 1999 by the state governments with hefty financial support from the insurance industry – says NZ could also consider forming a similar body to combat car theft.

“The theft profiles of the two countries are very similar,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “They could form a group that keeps the focus on theft and keeps governments, police, the insurance industry and motor trades involved.”