Does The Colour Of Your Car Change Its Odds Of Being Stolen?
The short answer is “yes”. The long answer – it’s probably not what you think. There’s a misconception that “flashy” coloured cars are more likely to be stolen – because they’re more likely to get the attention of thieves (or because more sports cars are built in bright colours).
- 75% of Australian cars are white, black, silver or grey
- Pink is the safest colour. It almost never gets stolen.
Red isn’t faster.
Most people believe that red cars are the #1 target for thieves. But this myth confuses what petrolheads find exciting with what car thieves find profitable. They’re different things. A thief rarely steals a car to enjoy it; most often they do it in order to sell it – whether in whole or in parts – without attracting any unwanted attention.
The nuance about colour.
A Commodore Is Still A Commodore
Buying a commonly targeted car in a bright colour isn’t a smart strategy. A red Commodore is still more likely to get stolen than a black late-model BMW.
Colour Is Not A Foolproof Strategy
The security gain is real – but limited. Don’t lt the colour be the deciding factor when choosing a car. Think of it as icing on the cake – not the cake.
The brighter and more exotic your car’s colour is, the smaller resale market it has. So if you want to ensure your car never gets stolen (except maybe by a Chinese gang), get yours in fuchsia pink. But common and in-demand colurs (e.g., black, green, silver, grey, white) – consistently show up in theft statistics.
Australians don’t love red cars. You’ll rarely see one in the wild – which makes it a great choice if security is your concern. Just be sure to haggle aggressively with the dealer when you’re buying it. The lack of interest will translate into poor resale values.