Holden Commodore: Much-loved brand top of list for tech savvy thieves in Victorian crime spree

Car enthusiasts are choosing to leave their prized possessions in the home garage as tech-savvy thieves target late models.

Vehicle thefts are surging as police battle Victoria’s highest crime rate in a decade, according to statistics released on Thursday.

It comes after state parliament passed harsher bail laws in the early hours of Friday after a marathon debate.

The humble Holden Commodore, especially V8-powered VFs, are being targeted by criminals who have access to tools originally meant for mechanics and locksmiths.

The Holdens are targeted because of vulnerabilities in their keyless entry system, and other late-model cars with similar systems are also being stolen.

Thieves exploit the system by cutting wires and reprogramming keys with the tool, which is readily available online.

At least 10 VF Commodores are stolen daily in Victoria, says HSV Owners Club Victoria president Col Pocock.

“I can probably name half a dozen of our club members that have had cars stolen in the last six months,” Mr Pocock told AAP. Many club members were leaving their beloved cars at home rather than risk losing them forever.

“And I personally saw a group try to steal a friend’s HSV in South Melbourne a few weeks ago, they were pulling the front off the car and had another car waiting - so we were lucky to scare them off.”

To combat this, Mr Pocock installed an immobiliser that requires a pin code to start his car, which is only one of 50 ever made.

Some club members also use trackers, which have helped recover stolen cars - many of which cannot be replaced since Holden shut up shop at the end of 2020.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said emerging technology allowed thieves to gain access to the cars through onboard diagnostics of the car.

“We’re seeing a lot of that occurring,” he told reporters on Monday.

“In fact, one in five cars stolen in Victoria, we believe, people are accessing that technology.”

Mr Hill said certain makes of cars, Holden in particular, with manufacture dating back to 2010 seemed to be the vehicle of choice.

Motor vehicle theft, while generally a small part of insurance premiums is also growing concern, which in effect could cost everyone more, according to the Insurance Council of Australia deputy CEO Kylie Macfarlane.

She said the value of vehicles had increased significantly since 2015, as has the cost of parts and labour.

“But it’s the frequency of motor theft and the cost of that theft, as recorded by the insurance industry, should not go unrecognised,” Ms Macfarlane said.

The number of all Victorian claims rose 70 per cent over that period and the value of those claims increased from $46 million ($60 million in 2024 dollars) to $173 million, or an increase of 188 per cent in real terms.

Over the same period, the total number of motor vehicle policies in Victoria increased 28 per cent.

Metropolitan Victoria now incurs the highest cost of motor vehicle theft claims, reaching $140 million in 2024.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.