32 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Completely naive here, but how are the mini's stolen so easily?  Are they easily hot wired w/o keys.  Easily broken into?  What makes them such a magnet for theft?

They are very easy to steal. I won't say how here but they are.

 

They are desirable to theivs because of the re-sale price. They simply buy a new V5 with matching vin and sell them on.

They also steal them to break for parts becuase they are so easy to sell 

[mab01uk]

Completely naive here, but how are the mini's stolen so easily?  Are they easily hot wired w/o keys.  Easily broken into?  What makes them such a magnet for theft?

 

Designed in the 1950's with minor security upgrades in the 1970's like a ignition/steering lock.........modern cars have engine imobilisors, coded keys, dead locks, alarms, etc all fitted as standard, The last MPi Mini's have better security but still not great.

[Mini Waco]

Well I guess that will be one + for having a mini here in the States.  The theft market for the classic may not be as prevalent.

[Ben_O]

Well I guess that will be one + for having a mini here in the States.  The theft market for the classic may not be as prevalent.

Unless the ones stolen from here end up there?

 

[MiniCarJack]

Removable steering wheel + extra padlock on the door, Mr Bean had the right idea

 

[lsto]

I just have a steering lock that covers the complete wheel. Made by disklok. Thatchcam approved too. If someone gets in the car at least they can't drive it because they can't turn the wheel.

End of the day if someone wants it then they'll get it. As above its just a case of making it harder for them to steal.

[mab01uk]

I just have a steering lock that covers the complete wheel. Made by disklok. Thatchcam approved too. If someone gets in the car at least they can't drive it because they can't turn the wheel.

End of the day if someone wants it then they'll get it. As above its just a case of making it harder for them to steal.

 

The Disklok came out best in AutoExpress tests:-

http://www.ovat.be/A...AutoExpress.pdf

[Spider]

Unfortunately, we true enthusiasts are not the only ones to read these pages, so sorry, I won't post up much here, but rest asured, driving a Moke for over 30 years, you do learn a few tricks over the years, however one of the best I've found when out is to Park in plain sight - most thieves hate been seen. Another is to make sure it's less atractive than the next car (poor guy) or make it too much of a hassel, that tends to put off the Joy Rider.

 

I also have a pretty strong view of these types that want to help themselves, I'm old fashioned and like many of the 'old ways' eg 'cut off the hand that steals the bread' for one,,,,,,

 

I have seen many 'wizz' products come and go over the years, but this would have to be one of the best I've seen in recent times;-

 

http://www.csi-ignit...mmobilizer.html

 

It can be circumvented for sure, but short of someone who really wants your Mini, this I feel would stop most, certainly the casual thief.

 

And on that, if someone does want your pride and joy, short of sleeping in it, there's not a lot one can do, even living in them isn't a guarantee.

 

This is another going back a few years now, but has stood the test of time

 

[ucchockey]

I have an alarm on the garage. Also I have a removable steering wheel and a battery cut off switch. They would have to be prepared to take mine. Plus it won't start at the moment anyway. Lol. Id be grateful if they could figure that one out for me.

[IainNeon91]

I take my steering wheel off 

 

[mikep12]

Security and minis have always been strangers. The early cars had the low security keys and when the locks became worn most keys would fit. In the sixties minis were everywhere and more than once after a night out I have found myself sitting in 'my' mini wondering who had left strange things in it only to realise mine was parked a few cars down the road. Once I even drove for a few hundred yards before realising! Almond green was very popular!
Funny if you read Parnell's book on the Coopers there is a picture of the early window catches with a comment that the front one was the wrong way round, the first thing you did when you got a mini was to reverse these otherwise anyone could slip a ruler down between the windows and open the front catch.
I did put a cutout switch for the fuel pump on the rear seat support which was brilliant as long as you remembered. More than once I had near misses leaving a service station as there was just enough fuel to get you onto the carriage way usally just in front of an artic!
Best defence was to leave the car such a pit no one would bother!

[Dzmarc]

I take my steering wheel off 

 

 

Iain, looking at doing the same thing.

 

Is that a Mountney classic wheel? 

And where did you get the boss from?

[Tamworthbay]

Unfortunately, we true enthusiasts are not the only ones to read these pages, so sorry, I won't post up much here, but rest asured, driving a Moke for over 30 years, you do learn a few tricks over the years, however one of the best I've found when out is to Park in plain sight - most thieves hate been seen. Another is to make sure it's less atractive than the next car (poor guy) or make it too much of a hassel, that tends to put off the Joy Rider.
 
I also have a pretty strong view of these types that want to help themselves, I'm old fashioned and like many of the 'old ways' eg 'cut off the hand that steals the bread' for one,,,,,,
 
I have seen many 'wizz' products come and go over the years, but this would have to be one of the best I've seen in recent times;-
 
http://www.csi-ignit...mmobilizer.html
 
It can be circumvented for sure, but short of someone who really wants your Mini, this I feel would stop most, certainly the casual thief.
 
And on that, if someone does want your pride and joy, short of sleeping in it, there's not a lot one can do, even living in them isn't a guarantee.
 
This is another going back a few years now, but has stood the test of time
 

that chain would take about 2 seconds to cut through. I get asked to remove bike locks quite frequently at work when people lose keys. Sadly I have never found one that lasts more than a minute, the worst take a couple of seconds. ABUS granite motorbike locks are the best, but then they are only as good as what they are connected to and they won't go round a tree.

[Bubblebobble]

I would do as much as  i could . Like has been said , if they really want it they will probably get it , especially if its something like a 60s cooper being stolen by professionals to ring .  Fuel cutout , ignition switch , disclock , chained pedals , locked up in a garage , removable bollard s etc . Anything to make them not  bother .

 Even chaining up can easily be overcome . A escort RS1800 and another car were stolen last year or the year before . They were in a double garage away from eyes , boxed in and the rs1800 was chained down , but they moved the cars by hand and had them away , never found - utter bastards .

[1984mini25]

If an electric fuel pump is fitted, a hidden switch in the power feed to the pump is ideal. The engine will start, then just stop a short way down the road and a thief won't want to be seen at the roadside trying to get it to start again. But the switch must be either well hidden or well disguised.

 

I'd prefer if the car couldn't be started or driven a short distance in the first place...