In 2024, 18,076 Israelis had their cars stolen — usually dismantled for parts or driven into Palestinian Authority areas. With 4.2 million cars on the road, the theft rate was 0.4%, higher than the U.S. (0.29%) and Britain (0.14%). While police report a decline from 19,094 thefts in 2023, recovery companies say attempts rose.
A Knesset study shows thefts fell from 2017–2020 but have since climbed by 30% annually, peaking in 2023. Rates vary: Tel Aviv saw 17 thefts per 1,000 residents in 2024, Kfar Saba 30, Kiryat Ono 21, and Rishon Lezion 10.
Thieves favor mass-market models. Between 2017–2023, Toyota Corolla led with 6,582 stolen, followed by Mazda 3 (5,656) and Hyundai i25 (2,738). Recently, attention shifted to electric vehicles. Some are stolen in under two minutes with cyber tools. By mid-2023, insurers warned BYD Atto 3 owners; once security was upgraded, thieves turned to Geely, then to other brands.
Why EVs? They’re in demand for parts, their sensors and bumpers are costly to replace, and they can supply power in areas with outages. Until recently, they were also easy to steal with laptops and basic software.
Police count only completed thefts, while recovery firms also record attempts. Ituran, a provider of location-based services, consisting primarily of stolen vehicle recovery, reported an 11% rise in 2024, Pointer 15%. Recovery relies on tracking systems, but thieves use signal jammers, fueling a constant arms race.
Methods in 2024: 66% involved hacking through the OBD port, 16% violent break-ins, 11% key theft, and 6% towing. SUVs and crossovers made up 49% of stolen vehicles, sedans 31%, motorcycles 11%. Hybrids were 20% of attempts, EVs 8%.
Financial damage is steep. Insurers paid $3.9 billion in 2023, up from $2.47 billion in 2022. Victims often downgrade vehicles or take loans, while premiums rise.
Legally, penalties reach seven years, but computer hacking and signal jamming aren’t defined as crimes. Between 2017 and 2023, 85,000 cars were stolen. Of 9,463 police cases, only 5,334 led to indictments, half were dismissed, and fewer than 2,000 convictions were secured.
A new Knesset bill proposes treating car theft as organized crime. But without stronger enforcement, experts doubt it will deter thieves.