Attempt at theft

[Roger Jones]

Some lowlife has had a go at my E300 TT in the lock-up garage that it sometimes occupies. They failed, but ruined the fuel flap and damaged its surrounding edges.

Is that area of the car an obvious target for a security breach or do you reckon they were just after the fuel? Someone here will know, I'm sure. They failed there too, probably because the alarm went off . . . and disturbed the neighbourhood of the garage in the middle of the night until the battery drained (I've circulated a note apologising for this).

All pretty dumb, given the red security lamp flashing and easily visible within the car.

 

[kwakdonut]

Some lowlife has had a go at my E300 TT in the lock-up garage that it sometimes occupies. They failed, but ruined the fuel flap and damaged its surrounding edges.

Is that area of the car an obvious target for a security breach or do you reckon they were just after the fuel? Someone here will know, I'm sure. They failed there too, probably because the alarm went off . . . and disturbed the neighbourhood of the garage in the middle of the night until the battery drained (I've circulated a note apologising for this).

All pretty dumb, given the red security lamp flashing and easily visible within the car.

Unlucky - feel for you.

But remember that most criminals are pretty dumb too - that's why they are criminals

 

[The Boss]

sorry to hear of the attempt!

 

[nick mercedes]

Is that area of the car an obvious target for a security breach or do you reckon they were just after the fuel?

Just after the fuel I would imagine, much damage?

 

[Aoraki]

Sorry to hear your troubles, although when I saw the title I thought you was after advice!

 

[Spinal]

I think they were after the fuel, our Chrysler Voyager had it's tank ripped open at the underground station a year or so ago... they pried open the flap and had a go at the cap with a screwdriver... lots of damage, no fuel stolen....

I think they try many cars until they find one that opens easily...

M.

 

[bpsorrel]

Sorry to hear about that! Hope the damage is not too bad. I get so p***d off when I hear things like this!

 

[Roger Jones]

Thanks for the sympathy -- much appreciated.

Fuel theft, eh? Something else to be mindful of as prices creep upwards in defiance of the reduced level of demand that occurs every summertime.

I've had a second thought about the circumstances. When I restarted the car the rear interior light was on. That was certainly the fault of the guy who cleaned it inside and out, and put it back in the garage (he is confident that he locked the garage door properly). That must have drained the battery (it's happened before) and therefore put the flashing security light out. If the thief looked, he may have believed that there was no live system. Oi vey.

 

[kwakdonut]

In the 'current economic climate', theft or attempted theft like this is only going to increase. Fuel prices starting to rise again and has anyone else noticed how much more the weekly shopping seems to cost now??!!!! (deflation, yeh right)

 

[Londonscottish]

It'll be kids trying to nicky petrol to put into a scooter they stole earlier that day.

I found a lowlife trying to drain petrol out of my wife's scooter for the same reason.

Luckily for him he outran me......

 

[Roger Jones]

. . . and the MB price for replacing the flap -- only the flap, no other bits . . . £51.50 +VAT, unpainted of course.

 

[nick mercedes]

. . . and the MB price for replacing the flap -- only the flap, no other bits . . . £51.50 +VAT, unpainted of course.

You'd be better off hunting for a used flap in the correct colour, assuming your car is a popular colour.

 

[Roger Jones]

Yup, that's what I've started doing. Astral silver must be near the top of the pops.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Check your alarm if you are not sure what drained your battery - should stop sounding after 30 or 60 seconds normally.