16 replies to this topic

[MikeRotherham]

You regular drivers, do you have any things that you do and don't do to prevent your pride and joy getting stolen.

 

I would imagine that when parked up your cars attract a fair bit of attention.

 

But is there anywhere you wouldn't leave your car. Parking up and leaving it whilst shopping for an hour or two I would think is relatively safe.

 

Is there anywhere you wouldn't leave it and what do you do to improve the chances of not getting it nicked? Apart from fitting various anti theft devices like Disklocks etc.

Edited by MikeRotherham, 16 June 2021 - 02:43 PM.

[Richard_]

I like to have a secret switch hidden somewhere which interrupts LT to the ignition.

Also I've been known to remove a fuse, the rotor arm or even the complete distributor cover and leads if forced to park somewhere I'm not happy with.

[The Principal]

guy's this looks like a thief's charter, remember not everyone who looks at these forums are good guys

[mab01uk]

Parking up and leaving it whilst shopping for an hour or two I would think is relatively safe.

 

Not really true.....a classic Mini can be stolen when parked anywhere in seconds if unprotected by extra security, even from a private driveway unless blocked in by a modern car with good security (not a keyless entry modern car though !).

 

I would always use a Disklok below as a minimum.....

 

Best steering wheel locks 2021:-

https://www.autoexpr...heel-locks-2021

Edited by mab01uk, 16 June 2021 - 04:11 PM.

[KTS]

guy's this looks like a thief's charter, remember not everyone who looks at these forums are good guys

 

that may be true, but i suspect it's pretty unlikely that we'd be discussing anything they don't already know.

 

My own view is that most thefts of classic cars is targeted rather than opportunistic, and carried out by people who are very familiar with the cars, how to break in to them, start them and then drive them away;  often in staggeringly quick time. 

 

anything that highlights to a potential thief that your car is going to present them with a challenge may put them off even trying to break in, if they do break in, anything that slows them down getting the car started will put them off, and anything that slows them down trying to drive the car away will put them off.

[steeley]

With my beach buggy I always removed the rotor arm when I left it anywhere

[GT Jimmy]

As mentioned before, a disc lock is a minimum. I have a battery çut off in the boot, easy enough to work out but will slow them down. If they really want it they will take it unfortunately, that's where trackers come in

[Ben_O]

I think we can all learn from Mr Bean.

He may have been a complete idiot but he knew a thing or two about vehicle security 

Edited by Ben_O, 16 June 2021 - 09:22 PM.

[Steam]

Wheel clamps are fairly secure and a visible deterrent.

[surfblue]

Hate parking it anywhere out of sight for long. Lives in an alarmed garage with cctv cover when at home.

[Johnmar]

my suggestion:

http://www.minispare.../C-AJJ4019.aspx

And put it on hand brake when you park it. I guess it is pretty hard to disengage the hand brake if you don't know that you have to reverse your actions (don't push down the button to disengage as pushing the button WILL engage it).

Pretty funny :)

[MikeRotherham]

Thanks for all your suggestions I think I'm pretty clued up about some of the technical answers to making our car more secure. I hoped to hear of some of the places you wouldn't leave your minis.

 

I quite often leave my daily driver in remote places and take off for a days walking. Needless to say I wouldn't do this with my mini.

 

I have no faith in the police taking any interest in recovering my mini should it be stolen. The onus on me is to make it as difficult as possible for the dregs of humanity that  want to steal it.

[cal844]

In addition to the above I'd also fit an Automatrics M Track tracker. See YouTube for thier vehicle recovery work.

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

In addition to the above I'd also fit an Automatrics M Track tracker. See YouTube for thier vehicle recovery work.

Why do you recommend the Automatrics tracker over others?

[cal844]

In addition to the above I'd also fit an Automatrics M Track tracker. See YouTube for thier vehicle recovery work.

Why do you recommend the Automatrics tracker over others?

Because they send people to find what the police can't