India recorded a more than two-fold surge in car theft in 2023 over the previous year. The capital city has now topped the list of cities with the highest number of stolen cars. Acko, a private car insurance provider in India, published vehicle theft data stating that two-wheelers are the most stolen vehicle type. Additionally, the vehicle insurance company stated that, compared to four-wheelers, motorcycles are stolen in India more frequently than nine times.
As per the 2023 vehicle theft report, the Maruti Suzuki WagonR is the most stolen car across the country. Maruti Suzuki's Swift is one of the best-selling cars in India. In 2023, the Swift became the second-most stolen car in the nation. According to a survey, Maruti Suzuki retails 47 percent of all cars that are stolen in the country. Although the WagonR and Swift are the most popular vehicles among thieves, the Grand i10, Maruti Dzire, and Hyundai Creta, are closely behind them in terms of preference.
According to the report, one car is stolen every fourteen minutes in the capital city. In 2023, Delhi accounted for 37 percent of all car theft cases. Apart from Shahdara, Patparganj, and Badarpur, Bhajanpura and Uttam Nagar continue to rank among the city's most vulnerable districts to car theft.
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Additionally, there was a startling increment in bike theft in India last year. As per the research, motorcycle thefts in the country have increased over nine times when compared to car thefts. The Hero Splendor has now become the most stolen bike in India. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Honda Activa are now the top three bikes that are mostly stolen in India.
Acko’s report also quoted Gurugram Police, stating that Hero Splendor, Splendor Plus, Hero CD Deluxe, and Hero HF Deluxe bikes account for six of the ten stolen bikes in the city. The police claim that the high number of theft cases can be attributed to the high resale value of these bikes and the great demand for their spare parts.
The surging rates of car robberies are unfortunate, but there are many ways to protect one’s vehicle. For instance, parking vehicles in safe areas where vehicles are visible, taking vehicle insurance, using steering locks or wheel locks, locking doors, and using anti-theft alarms.
