Most stolen cars in USA are named Toyota, Honda

Be on guard, owners of Toyota and Honda vehicles — your cars are the most stolen ones in the USA. Specifically, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.

Statistics released by Lojack for vehicle thefts in 2011 put older Accord models as the most often stolen and recovered, along with the 2011 Toyota Camry, which topped the list for most stolen and recovered new vehicles. The other top 2011-model-year vehicles stolen were the Mercedes-Benz C300, Ford F-250 series, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

The Accord has been a favorite of thieves every year since 2008, when it topped the list for all vehicles stolen, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Why one vehicle is stolen and not another depends on many factors.  Less expensive models, such as Honda Civic and Accord and Toyota Corolla, have less sophisticated alarm systems than higher priced models.  They are simply easier to break into, jumpstart and drive away, especially older models.

Best-selling models, such as the Mercedes C-Class sedans and coupes and Ford-250 truck, often are stolen for their parts, which are used by less than honest body shops and repair shops for customers saving money by avoiding brand-authorized shops, or those in dealerships.  Camry may also be on the list because there are so many of them — more than 30 million Camrys have been sold in North America.

Higher value vehicles often are stolen on order, for shipment to customers overseas.  Overall, though, vehicle thefts were down 3% in 2011 compared with 2010, according to Time magazine, in part because of better anti-theft technology.  It is the eighth straight year vehicle thefts have declined, according to the FBI.

Where and how you park also can determine how popular your vehicle is to thieves.  Even if you park in your own driveway, if you leave the keys inside, you are asking for trouble.  In cities, dimly lit and less-traveled streets are more popular with thieves.  And in garages and mall parking lots, you’ll protect your vehicle from ding from other cars, but also make your vehicle more vulnerable to theft.

Lojack has an interesting infographic on most stolen vehicles, including the worst cities for vehicle thefts — California,Texas and Florida top the list.  The Lojack graphic is on the next page, including which cities you are most likely to have your car stolen.