Car Theft Questions - Trackers? Debadging?

[entropy]

Hi Guys,

Speaking to a friend today whose signed up for a M135 on one of these lease deals.

We were chatting about the car theft for these hot hatches.

Is it something to worry about? are trackers worthwhile? is it worth trying to disguise the model by debadging it?

I do know 2 people who've had Golf R's stolen so not sure if they've just been unlucky etc..

Lucky for us we've never had to contend with this issue.. our X5 is 15 this year

[X5Sport]

The experts know what they are looking for/at and can find information just by noting the VIN during their 'research'.... >:(

Trackers do work which is why more and more cars are stolen with the keys obtained during a burglary.  Yes there was an issue with BMWs being pinched with cloned keys but that should now have been stopped - or at least made much more difficult.  Cars stolen in this way need the owner to be on the ball immediately so that the tracker is activated even with the keys being used.

Two part authentication trackers make this much harder as they use not only the key, but some other authentication device.  The experts know about them but they won't know what you have fitted.  These systems will activate automatically if the second part of the authentication is absent and should you ever buy such a system NEVER leave it with the keys, or leave a note with the code etc on it anywhere a tea leaf can find it!

IMHO they are worth it, but there is no guarantee offered, and they can fail!  Worth getting one supported by a test plan where the system is regularly checked by the supplier etc to make sure it works.  You pay more but it depends upon piece of mind.

[bluestreak56]

Funnily enough in the UK the X5 has been the most stolen vehicle for the past 6 years running (written 2014):

http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/motor ... ur-5314869

I do worry about my X4 because its still an expensive car, but luckily being the 2 litre and parked in the garage most of the time I worry a little less.

I did think about a tracker but with so many out there its hard to see which is the right way to go and which is actually worth buying and installing..

[Steamyrotter]

Good luck to anyone trying to pinch mine...


They'd only get as fast as the end of the road until something breaks on it!!!!!!
O:-)

[Mpower]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Good luck to anyone trying to pinch mine...


They'd only get as fast as the end of the road until something breaks on it!!!!!!
O:-)
[/quote]

Lol!

[Insight G40]

problem is, you can normally tell the top of the range models by body styling, i.e. bigger bumpers, flared arches etc.
And there are multiple apps out there that tell you the model with only the number plate, so no easy way to hide.

If they really want it, then they will take it unfortunately, you can make it harder for the opportunist, but not the professional.

That's why I have insurance.

[bluestreak56]

I agree RE insurance, but this can still put you ££££ks out in the event of the vehicle being stolen.

Car insurance companies will only ever give you "market value" for your vehicle when its a total loss. When is it a total loss? If its a write off or if its stolen, recovered AND a write off.

If like me you have GAP insurance and the car is a total loss, its not the end of the world as this will cover the shortfall between the market payout and the price you paid at purchase (depending on the policy taken).

If you're vehicle is stolen and NOT recovered however it is not deemed a write off and you will again only gain market value again which to me seem ludicrous. Source : https://www.abi.org.uk/Insurance-and-sa ... s-vehicles

There seems only one way to protect this scenario which is to purchase a tracker, but as above its not foolproof and if for whatever reason it is found and ripped out then you're back at square one again.

Does anyone have any further ideas on how to avoid the above scenario?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edit just spoken to my GAP provider and insurer and looks like I would be covered in the event of a stolen not recovered as the vehicle would be classes as a total loss. However looks like this may be different based on insurer to insurer so worth talking to your insurer about.

[X5Sport]

[quote="bluestreak56"]
Does anyone have any further ideas on how to avoid the above scenario?
[/quote]

Claymores, machine gun towers........oh and a 'hair missile'  (aka a very hungry Alsatian).



Seriously though, it is a challenge and there is very little you can do except make it as hard as possible for the thief.

[entropy]

Cheers Guys,

All good points.

My friend is going with the gap insurance via the dealer so said he's not to worried as will be covered financially.

Suppose thing I wouldn't like is thought of some breaking in your house! scary stuff.

[entropy]

just remembered one of my friends always puts on a steering lock as a preventive measure and takes out his radio when he leaves the car.

whats funny is its a 2005 focus 1.8 diesel! keep telling him no ones going to pinch it lol

[X5Sport]

Even car thieves have principles...... )

[utred]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Even car thieves have principles...... )
[/quote]

......and taste!

[bluestreak56]

[quote="entropy"]
just remembered one of my friends always puts on a steering lock as a preventive measure and takes out his radio when he leaves the car.

whats funny is its a 2005 focus 1.8 diesel! keep telling him no ones going to pinch it lol
[/quote]

I gear lock on my 94 Nissan Micra until I convinced my parents of the same thing (nobodies going to pinch it!). Years later I used it again on my 92 Scirocco although it was alarmed and immobilised, more for visibility than anything else (also had the face off radio).

Seems these days you lock your car and go, not much more you can do.

[mikesmith2939]

I got a tracker from these people, cost £6 per month with live GPS tracking on computer and they also do apps for iOS and Android devices.

www.fleettrackingconsultancy.co.uk