A cost-effective security device could tackle car theft and save the Australian community millions of dollars every year.

AUSTRALIAN motor manufacturers can help fight car theft by installing a simple $2 identification tag in every new vehicle.

International car makers Hyundai, Audi, Nissan and Renault have been the first to install the self-voiding labels on a range of their vehicles after they became available last year.

NRMA Insurance Queensland manager Brett Robinson called for all manufacturers to follow their lead.

"Vehicle identification technology such as self-voiding labels cost less than $2 and are one of the best defences against professional car theft, a problem which costs the Australian community $250 million every year," he said.

The call for self-voiding labels comes as NRMA Insurance has released its annual vehicle theft ratings, which measure the ability of a car to resist being broken into, stolen and re-birthed.

Mr Robinson said consumers should take the time to consider security when purchasing a vehicle rather than just the look and feel.

"This year's results have again highlighted the need for manufacturers to update their vehicle identification technology," he said.

"Improved vehicle identification is a major focus of the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council as the majority of manufacturers still use old aluminium compliance plates that can be simply removed, making it easy for professional thieves to re-birth cars.

"Whereas the new self-voiding labels disintegrate when removed from the vehicle and are unable to be counterfeited because of the scrambled image background."

The Vehicle Theft Ratings also revealed that Subaru, BMW, Audi and Porsche are the standout manufacturers in 2008 with all of their vehicles performing well.

Commercial vehicles including the Mitsubishi Express, Ford Ranger and Mahindra Pik-up all rated poorly.

The total ratings points are 120 and the higher the score the better protected the vehicle is from theft.

Vehicle theft ratings:
Small cars: Highest
Citroen C3 5-door hatch 79.5
Citroen C2 3-door hatch 79.5
Volkswagen Polo Match/TDI 5-door hatch 79.5
Lowest
Holden Barina sedan 47.5
Holden Barina 5-door hatch 46.5
Honda Jazz 5-door hatch 30.5
Small-medium cars: Highest
Audi A3 3.2 Quattro 5-door hatch 112.5
BMW 1-Series 3-door hatch 104
Audi A3 1.6/2.0 FSI 3-door hatch 102.5
Lowest
Suzuki SX4 5-door hatch 55
Proton Gen.2 (M Line/H Line) 5-door hatch 49
Holden Viva 5-door hatch 46.5
Medium cars: Highest
Subaru Liberty wagon 102
Citroen C5 sedan 89.5
Hyundai Sonata V6 sedan 76
Lowest
Toyota Camry Sportivo 60
Kia Magentis sedan 55.5
Holden Epica sedan 53.5
Large cars: Highest
Hyundai Grandeur 76
Holden Commodore Omega sedan 74
Ford Falcon XT sedan 71
Lowest
Ford Falcon G6E sedan 69.5
Chrysler 300C sedan 67.5
Toyota Aurion Sportivo ZR-6 63
People movers: Highest
Subaru Tribeca 102
Volkswagen Multivan (Highline) 85
Citroen C4 Picasso 79.5
Lowest
Kia Grand Carnival 56
Toyota Tarago GLX 53
Honda Odyssey 46.5
4WDs: Highest
Audi Q7 105.5
BMW X3 104
BMW X5 104
Lowest
Nissan X Trail 48
Toyota LandCruiser Prado GX 47
Nissan Patrol (all except DX) 45
Luxury vehicles: Highest
Audi A8 4.2 V8 sedan 113.5
Audi A4 sedan 107
Audi A6 sedan 107
Lowest
Mercedes Benz E-class sedan 70
Honda Legend 64.5
Nissan Maxima sedan 60.5

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