Car theft is still prevalent these days and, unfortunately, it’s probably not slowing down any time soon. It’s not because new cars are not any more theft deterrent, because they are, it’s because there are still thousands of older cars still on the roads. And most, if not all, of those cars are worth more apart than they are put together. So you might be wondering what the most stolen car in America is. Let’s find out.

Same as always

In case you couldn’t guess, the most stolen car in America is a Honda Civic. Just as it has been for probably at least the last two decades. But not just any Honda Civic, both Forbes and the National Insurance Crime Bureau list the 2000 model year Honda Civic as being the “hottest” car currently roaming the streets.

To clarify, they listed that specific model year since it was the most stolen, but we’re guessing they mean the sixth-generation Civic, which would be from 1997 to 2000. But we wouldn’t be surprised if any other Honda Civic from generations before that were hot-ticket items as well because, to be honest, they’re really easy to steal.

On top of that, all of the OEM parts on these Civics are still highly sought after by enthusiasts, so if thieves can tear them apart in short order, then they make some quick money without being caught.

Any runner ups?

In case you’re wondering which cars got second and third place, then we hope you that you don’t either a 1997 Honda Accord (second place) or a 2006 Ford full-size truck (third place).

According to Insurify, the 1997 Honda Accord is highly sought after due to its parts and they’re easy to break into. Part of the appeal of these cars is that the ignition tumbler tends to wear out over time, and since it’s a 20-year-old car, you can use just about anything to start it – even a spoon handle.

And you can thank the middle of the U.S. for the Ford truck making the list, or maybe thank Ford. These trucks are very easy to break into and since Ford truck parts are very popular on the black market, parting one of these out can fetch a pretty penny.

How do you protect your car?

Since we’re on the topic of cars getting stolen, we feel like it’s a good time to go over some tips to help protect your car, whether you own a Honda Civic or not.

• Don’t leave your car unattended and while it’s running: It’s a no-brainer, but some people still do it.
• Equip your car with an anti-theft device: Get an aftermarket alarm with a motion sensor, a steering wheel lock, or a pedal lock. While some thieves might be able to get around these measures, some may not. It’s worth having layers of protection.
• Immobilizer device: A lot of newer cars nowadays have immobilizers already built-in, but if you have an older car (2010 or older), then we suggest getting an immobilizer installed.
• GPS tracking: It might sound like overkill, but if you really love your car then spending $100 to $200 to get a GPS tracker installed could be worth it. Most aftermarket installers can now do this and it will allow tracking your car from an app on your phone.

Use common sense

If you do happen to own an older car, then we suggest to at least use common sense and lock your doors when you leave it. Also, remember to park in well-lit or more obvious places when you park in public, then thieves might actually stay away due to fear of being caught.

Always remember, as much as you love your car, someone else might want it more than you do (for the wrong reasons).