GTA 6 Car Stealing Guide: How to Steal, Sell & Keep Vehicles

Stealing cars has always been at the heart of Grand Theft Auto, but GTA 6 is set to make the process considerably more detailed. Vehicles in GTA 6 will have different levels of security, while new tools such as the WAINK scanner and digital key cloning device will give players more ways to assess and overcome those protections.

From checking a car's value and security to dealing with trackers, selling stolen vehicles, or registering them as personal cars, this guide explains everything currently known about how car theft works in GTA 6.

How to Steal Cars in GTA 6

Stealing cars has always been at the heart of Grand Theft Auto, but Grand Theft Auto VI is introducing a much more sophisticated vehicle theft system.

Instead of every vehicle being available with a simple button press, GTA 6 will feature different levels of vehicle security, requiring players to assess their target and potentially use specialized equipment to gain access.

The new system gives vehicle theft more depth, with the WAINK scanner, security systems, digital key cloning, vehicle trackers, stolen vehicle values, and registration costs all playing a role.

This guide explains everything currently known about how stealing cars works in GTA 6, including how to identify valuable vehicles, bypass security, avoid trackers, sell stolen cars, and register vehicles as your own.

Note: GTA 6 has not yet been released. This guide is based on information officially revealed by Rockstar Games and details provided in the latest hands-on previews. It will be updated as more information becomes available.

GTA 6 Vehicle Theft System Explained

In previous Grand Theft Auto games, stealing a vehicle was usually straightforward: approach a car, enter it, and drive away.

GTA 6 introduces additional layers to the process.

Vehicles can have different levels of security, meaning some cars can still be stolen quickly while others require specialized tools.

This creates a new decision-making process:

1. Find a potential vehicle.
2. Scan it with the WAINK device.
3. Check its value and security level.
4. Determine whether you have the equipment required to steal it.
5. Break into the vehicle.
6. Check for a tracker or other security systems.
7. Decide whether to sell the vehicle or register it as your own.

The result is a more involved car theft system where the best vehicle isn't necessarily the easiest one to steal.

What Is the WAINK Scanner?

The WAINK scanner is a new device that helps Jason and Lucia assess vehicles before attempting to steal them.

By scanning a vehicle, players can obtain important information about the target.

The scanner can reveal:

• Vehicle security information
• Vehicle value
• Cost to register the vehicle as your own

This allows players to determine whether a car is worth stealing before committing to the attempt.

The WAINK scanner is therefore an important part of GTA 6's vehicle theft system and can help players make more informed decisions when searching for cars.

GTA 6 Vehicle Security Levels

Rockstar has confirmed that GTA 6 introduces stratified vehicle security.

In other words, not every vehicle will have the same level of protection.

Older and less valuable vehicles may still be relatively easy to steal, while expensive modern vehicles can feature more advanced security systems.

Rockstar North co-studio head Rob Nelson explained that the system was designed to give vehicles more meaning and introduce additional progression and decision-making into vehicle theft.

The exact number of security tiers has not yet been revealed.

Vehicle Security Can Affect:

• How difficult a vehicle is to enter
• Which tools are required
• How quickly the theft can be completed
• Whether the vehicle has additional anti-theft technology
• How useful the vehicle is as a potential stolen car

How to Break Into Cars in GTA 6

The traditional methods of stealing vehicles haven't completely disappeared.

Some vehicles can still be entered quickly, while older or less secure cars may be vulnerable to relatively simple methods.

One method demonstrated for GTA 6 involves using a slim jim to manipulate the vehicle's locking mechanism through the window.

However, higher-end vehicles may require more sophisticated equipment.

This means players will need to consider the target vehicle before attempting the theft rather than assuming every car can be taken instantly.

Digital Key Cloning

Some GTA 6 vehicles feature modern electronic security systems.

For these cars, physically forcing the lock may not be enough.

Players will be able to acquire a digital key cloning device, which can be used to bypass certain electronic vehicle security systems.

However, the equipment isn't freely available from the beginning.

According to information revealed in the latest preview:

• The device must be acquired.
• It comes at a cost.
• Some tools become available later in the story.
• More advanced equipment expands the types of vehicles Jason and Lucia can steal.

This creates a form of progression within the vehicle theft system.

As players gain access to better equipment, previously inaccessible vehicles can become viable targets.

GTA 6 Car Trackers

Getting inside a vehicle doesn't necessarily mean the theft is over.

Some vehicles can be equipped with tracking systems.

A stolen vehicle may therefore create additional problems after you've driven away.

More advanced trackers can reportedly alert law enforcement to your location if you're driving below a certain speed.

This means that simply slowing down in a stolen vehicle could potentially put you at greater risk.

Players may therefore have to balance:

• Escaping quickly
• Avoiding police attention
• Controlling the vehicle
• Keeping the stolen car in good condition

The presence of trackers also makes certain high-value vehicles more complicated to steal and sell.

How to Sell Stolen Cars in GTA 6

GTA 6 introduces a new way to profit directly from stolen vehicles.

After stealing a car, players will be able to take it to a fence and sell it.

This effectively turns car theft into a potential source of income rather than simply a method of obtaining temporary transportation.

The value of a stolen vehicle can depend on factors such as its condition and security systems.

A tracker-equipped vehicle may also need additional attention before it becomes an attractive purchase.

More information about the locations of vehicle fences and the exact selling mechanics will be added once they are fully revealed.

How Much Are Stolen Cars Worth in GTA 6?

The exact prices for stolen vehicles have not yet been fully revealed.

However, the WAINK scanner can display a vehicle's value, allowing players to identify potentially profitable targets.

This means players won't necessarily have to guess which vehicles are worth stealing.

A high-value vehicle may offer a larger payout, but it can also be protected by stronger security systems and tracking technology.

The most profitable vehicle may therefore not always be the easiest one to steal.

How to Keep Stolen Cars in GTA 6

GTA 6 will allow Jason and Lucia to keep multiple personal vehicles.

If you want to turn a stolen vehicle into one of your own personal cars, the WAINK scanner can show the registration cost.

Players will need:

• A suitable stolen vehicle
• Enough money to register it
• Available garage space

Both Jason and Lucia can own multiple personal vehicles, subject to available garage space and the associated costs.

This gives players another choice after stealing a vehicle:

Sell it for profit or pay to make it your own.

Can Jason and Lucia Own Stolen Cars?

Yes. GTA 6 allows both Jason Duval and Lucia Caminos to own multiple personal vehicles.

The number of vehicles each character can keep will depend on available garage space and other ownership requirements.

The WAINK scanner helps players determine the cost of registering a stolen vehicle before deciding whether to keep it.

GTA 6 Car Theft Progression

The new vehicle theft mechanics appear to be connected to the game's overall progression.

Players won't necessarily have access to every vehicle-stealing tool from the beginning.

Some equipment must be acquired, while certain tools become available later in the story.

This means that vehicle theft can evolve alongside Jason and Lucia's criminal careers.

Early Game

Players can target relatively accessible vehicles and use simpler theft methods.

Later Game

As additional equipment becomes available, players can target vehicles protected by increasingly sophisticated security systems.

This creates a natural progression from opportunistic car theft to more deliberate and potentially lucrative vehicle stealing.

Choosing Which Car to Steal

The WAINK scanner makes it possible to evaluate a vehicle before stealing it.

When choosing a target, players should consider several factors:

Vehicle Value

More expensive vehicles can potentially be more profitable when sold, but may also have stronger security.

Security Level

A heavily protected vehicle may require equipment you don't currently possess.

Tracker

A vehicle fitted with a tracker can make escaping and selling it more difficult.

Registration Cost

If you want to keep the vehicle, check the registration cost before committing to the theft.

Vehicle Condition

Damage can potentially reduce the usefulness or value of a stolen vehicle, making a clean getaway important.

GTA 6 Car Theft During Police Chases

The new system could make escaping from law enforcement more unpredictable.

If a police chase is already underway, finding an unlocked or easily accessible vehicle may be more useful than attempting to steal an expensive, heavily protected car.

A high-end vehicle might be worth more, but stopping to deal with sophisticated security isn't necessarily practical while police are pursuing you.

This gives players more reasons to adapt their escape plans and use whatever transportation is immediately available.

Rockstar has also noted that Leonida's roads are narrower and traffic is denser than in previous games, making driving itself more challenging.

GTA 6 Vehicle Theft vs. Previous Games

The biggest change compared with previous GTA games is the removal of the assumption that every vehicle can be stolen instantly.

GTA 6 therefore turns car theft into a more deliberate gameplay system rather than simply a means of transportation.

Will Every Car Be Difficult to Steal?

No.

The new system isn't designed to make every vehicle equally difficult to steal.

Rockstar has specifically described different levels of vehicle security. Older or less desirable vehicles can still be stolen using relatively quick methods, while expensive modern vehicles may have additional protections.

This ensures that the classic GTA experience of jumping into a random car and driving away remains possible, while giving players more depth when targeting valuable vehicles.

Will You Be Able to Steal Any Car in GTA 6?

Not necessarily.

The exact limitations have not yet been fully explained, but some vehicles will require specialized equipment.

As more advanced theft tools become available, players will have access to a wider range of potential targets.

The system therefore appears designed around equipment, progression, risk, and reward rather than simply making every vehicle available from the start.

GTA 6 Car Theft Tips

Scan Before You Steal

Use the WAINK scanner to check a vehicle's security, value, and registration cost before attempting to take it.

Don't Always Target the Most Expensive Car

High-value vehicles can have stronger security systems and trackers. A cheaper vehicle may be a much easier and safer target.

Upgrade Your Equipment

Obtaining advanced vehicle theft tools will expand the range of cars you can target.

Pay Attention to Trackers

Getting away from the initial theft doesn't necessarily mean you're safe. Tracker-equipped vehicles can create additional complications.

Decide Whether to Sell or Keep

Before taking a stolen vehicle to a fence, consider whether it's worth registering it as a personal vehicle instead.

Adapt During Escapes

If you're being pursued by police, don't assume your ideal getaway vehicle will be available. A quick, low-security vehicle may be a better option than stopping to crack a heavily protected car.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you steal cars in GTA 6?

Approach a vehicle and use the appropriate method based on its security level. Less-secure cars can be stolen using simple methods, while some vehicles require specialized equipment.

What is the WAINK scanner in GTA 6?

The WAINK scanner is a device used to inspect vehicles. It can provide information including the vehicle's security, value, and the cost of registering it as a personal vehicle.

Can you sell stolen cars in GTA 6?

Yes. GTA 6 introduces vehicle fences where stolen cars can be sold for profit.

Can you keep stolen cars in GTA 6?

Yes. Jason and Lucia can own multiple personal vehicles. The WAINK scanner can show the cost of registering a stolen vehicle.

Do GTA 6 cars have trackers?

Some vehicles can be equipped with tracking systems. Certain advanced trackers can reveal your location to law enforcement when driving below a specified speed.

Do you need special equipment to steal cars?

Some vehicles require specialized tools. A digital key cloning device can be used to bypass certain electronic security systems, and some equipment becomes available later in the story.

Will car theft be harder in GTA 6?

Some car thefts will be more complicated than in previous GTA games because vehicles have different security levels and may include electronic locks and trackers. However, simpler vehicles can still be stolen using traditional methods.

GTA 6 Vehicle Theft Guide Updates

Grand Theft Auto VI is still unreleased, so additional details about vehicle security, theft tools, fences, trackers, vehicle values, and personal vehicle registration may be revealed before launch.

GTABase will update this guide as Rockstar Games provides more information about GTA 6's car stealing system.