Toyota Aqua Remains NZ’s Most Stolen Car: How to Protect Your Vehicle and Lower Insurance Costs

By Lions Roar Aotearoa Consumer Watch

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (Tuesday, February 3, 2026) — For the fourth consecutive year, the Toyota Aqua has been crowned New Zealand’s most stolen vehicle. According to the latest 2025 motor claims data released today by AMI Insurance, the popular hybrid hatchback is being targeted at nearly four times the rate of the country’s most insured car, the Toyota Corolla.

With more than 9,000 vehicle theft and attempted theft claims recorded nationwide in 2025, the “Aqua epidemic” has significant financial implications for owners, many of whom are seeing their insurance premiums skyrocket or are choosing to sell their vehicles altogether.

? The Theft Leaderboard: 2025 Rankings

AMI’s data shows a heavy concentration of thefts among a few key models, with Toyotas making up five of the top nine most stolen vehicles.

Rank	Model	Claim Share
1	Toyota Aqua	8%
2	Toyota Corolla	7%
3	Nissan Tiida	6%
4	Mazda Demio	Persistent high risk

The Disparity: While the Corolla is more common on NZ roads, the Aqua is far more vulnerable. For every 1,000 insured Aquas, 54 were the subject of a theft claim, compared to just 15 per 1,000 for the Corolla.

? The Insurance “Loyalty Tax” and Premium Hikes

Owning an Aqua now comes with a steep “theft premium.” Data from insurance comparison site Quashed indicates that an Aqua is typically 37% more expensive to insure comprehensively than a Corolla.

Massive Price Variance: Premiums for an Aqua can vary by as much as $1,262 per year between different providers. Some insurers charge over $2,000, while others remain under $1,000 for the same vehicle.
The “House Fund” Factor: One Auckland resident reported her monthly premium jumped from $71.78 in 2022 to $183.54 in 2024, eventually forcing her to sell the car to save for a home deposit.

?️ Why the Aqua? The Security Gap

The primary reason for the Aqua’s vulnerability is age and technology. Nearly 90% of stolen vehicles in 2025 were more than 10 years old.

Older Aquas (particularly those imported second-hand from Japan) often lack electronic encrypted locking systems and engine immobilisers. This makes them an easy target for joyriders and “ram-raid” style burglaries, as they can be bypassed with relative ease compared to newer models with modern security suites.

✅ How to Lower Your Insurance Costs

If you own a high-risk vehicle, experts recommend several strategies to keep your costs down:

Compare Multiple Quotes: Do not auto-renew. Use comparison tools to check at least 4–5 providers every year.
Increase Your Excess: Choosing a higher voluntary excess (e.g., moving from $400 to $1,000) can significantly lower your monthly premium.
Install an Immobiliser: Many insurers will offer a discount if you can prove you have installed an aftermarket alarm or engine immobiliser.
Park Securely: Tell your insurer if you park in a locked garage or a gated driveway; off-street parking is a major factor in risk-based pricing.
Pay Annually: Most NZ insurers charge an extra 5% to 20% for the convenience of monthly installments.

AMI’s top 10 stolen cars list

1. Toyota Aqua
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Nissan Tiida
4. Mazda Demio
5. Toyota Vitz
6. Toyota Hilux
7. Subaru Impreza
8. Mazda Atenza
9. Toyota Mark X
10. Mazda Axela

Most stolen vehicle by region (regions ranked by claims volume)

1. Auckland – Toyota Aqua
2. Canterbury – Toyota Aqua
3. Waikato – Toyota Corolla
4. Wellington – Toyota Corolla
5. Bay of Plenty – Toyota Corolla
6. Manawatū – Nissan Tiida
7. Northland – Toyota Corolla
8. Hawke’s Bay – Mazda Atenza
9. Gisborne – Mazda Demio
10. Taranaki – Toyota Corolla and Nissan Tiida
11. Otago – Toyota Aqua
12. Southland – Suzuki Swift
13. Nelson – Nissan Tiida
14. Tasman – Mazda Demio and Toyota Corolla
15. West Coast – Toyota Hilux
16. Marlborough – Honda Jazz