How do you protect your cars from thiefs?

[Combo]

Hey all,

Hoping to buy my first MB soon (CLA45) and I wondered what you lot do to protect your cars? Do you just rely on the standard security or do you use steering wheel locks etc? Seen the videos of groups of thieves being able to get into nice motors by relaying signal from the home or other methods and start them up by plugging in then driving off!

My current car isn't worth stealing so I use the stock security and I have front and back dashcams that record events but my mate has his S4 stolen off his driveway a couple of years ago so got me wondering what to do when I get a car that is worth stealing. I will get front and rear dashcams again.

Cheers

 

[Germgh0st]

I had Autowatch Ghost II fitted. It's a small expense relative to the cost of the car and gives you total piece of mind.

 

[whitenemesis]

Bottom line is if they want your car they will take it.
Best line of defence would be a highly visible deterrent such as a steering wheel disc lock. To hopefully stop the casual thief. Professionals will have it away in seconds.

 

[Combo]

Bottom line is if they want your car they will take it.
Best line of defence would be a highly visible deterrent such as a steering wheel disc lock. To hopefully stop the casual thief. Professionals will have it away in seconds.

Yeah, I am just looking at sensible options as a deterrent, I have a private parking space that is out the back of my garden so not as secure as a driveway/garage and worried if I park it overnight in a normal car park.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Yeah, I am just looking at sensible options as a deterrent, I have a private parking space that is out the back of my garden so not as secure as a driveway/garage and worried if I park it overnight in a normal car park.

Can you install a security post?

 

[Combo]

Can you install a security post?

That's an idea, I don't see why not so that's a possibility for at home, maybe a steering wheel lock or immobiliser for when away.

 

[sgregory124]

Hey all,

Hoping to buy my first MB soon (CLA45) and I wondered what you lot do to protect your cars? Do you just rely on the standard security or do you use steering wheel locks etc? Seen the videos of groups of thieves being able to get into nice motors by relaying signal from the home or other methods and start them up by plugging in then driving off!

My current car isn't worth stealing so I use the stock security and I have front and back dashcams that record events but my mate has his S4 stolen off his driveway a couple of years ago so got me wondering what to do when I get a car that is worth stealing. I will get front and rear dashcams again.

Cheers

When I bought my C63 last year I was all set to get a tracker etc. Then realised (as others have said) that if some scumbag wants your car, they'll take it by any means so why bother wasting the money? Also, the visible deterrents are pointless in my opinion, for the same reason.

I take some basic precautions with my car, I try to avoid parking on the street in bad areas when i'm out, avoid car parks in the back and beyond - like long stay airport parking and those that don't look like they're frequented by security etc etc Having said that, the C63 is pretty restrained in the way it looks so doesn't tend to draw too much attention*

* - Until you start the engine

 

[Germgh0st]

Nobody is taking your car anywhere if you have a Ghost fitted, I'm pretty confident in that. It's a really small device that can be put anywhere and the installer won't tell you where it is. It's not detectable by scanners either. Without the code the only way to take the car is to somehow open it and roll it away, if it's an auto then the only option is to lift it. If you keep your car in a garage then granted that gives them the time to fettle and try and find it (which is why I've never kept a car in a garage) but outdoors it's going to take them too long and/or make too much noise for them not to be noticed.

 

[AMGeed]

Nobody is taking your car anywhere if you have a Ghost fitted, I'm pretty confident in that. It's a really small device that can be put anywhere and the installer won't tell you where it is. It's not detectable by scanners either. Without the code the only way to take the car is to somehow open it and roll it away, if it's an auto then the only option is to lift it. If you keep your car in a garage then granted that gives them the time to fettle and try and find it (which is why I've never kept a car in a garage) but outdoors it's going to take them too long and/or make too much noise for them not to be noticed.

You forgot one thing. Theft by force.
Unfortunately there are determined car thieves ready to break in and threaten you if the car they just opened doesn't start.
That's not to say Ghost isn't an excellent deterrent, but as already mentioned, if someone really wants your car, they will have it whatever security measures you have fitted.

 

[SpikyMikey]

You forgot one thing. Theft by force.
Unfortunately there are determined car thieves ready to break in and threaten you if the car they just opened doesn't start.
That's not to say Ghost isn't an excellent deterrent, but as already mentioned, if someone really wants your car, they will have it whatever security measures you have fitted.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Re the above, in the interests of full disclosure, I have to say I've encountered a few Rotties in my time and without exception they've all been as soft as butter.
The biggest threat to anyone breaking in is that you'd probably get slobbered to death.
Shh; don't tell the criminal fraternity.

 

[John]

No match for a gun or poisoned-meat though...

Don't forget scum has no morals whatsoever.

If this country actually bothered to lock up criminals for long enough, the problem would be much reduced at least.

 

[uumode]

Mines in the garage out of sight.
Neighbours park on their drives (who prefer to use their garages for storage)
Mercedes GLA on my right, CLS and A Class shooting brake in front, Audi S4 two doors down, E Class and BMW 1 series round the corner as a distraction to my car if I did park it on my drive.

As some have mentioned, if they are determined to take it, they can take it, put it on at trailer etc.
A form of financial protection is gap insurance to replace your car.
I took out a UK policy with this company to replace my car with a new one of the equivalent spec

The UK's original online GAP insurance provider.

Independently rated 5-Star GAP insurance at prices up to 85% LESS than a Motor Dealer policy. Get a quote now.

gapinsurance.co.uk

Admittedly this isn't prevention, but a cure, but along with gap insurance I switch off the keyless by double locking the car or putting the remote key in a shielded case.

 

[190]

Mine is the only car on our cul-de-sac that sleeps in the garage which leaves newish Range Rovers, Jags etc to choose from before they would get to mine but they would turn their nose up anyway at a 12 year old MB. My sons 911 sleeps out on the drive occasionally but really I wasn't concerned because the biggest protection comes from living in a very low crime area. In 28 years no one has had a car stolen or broken into, nor has there been a burglary. To me that is priceless and the reason I've stayed put for so long.

 

[Combo]

Mine is the only car on our cul-de-sac that sleeps in the garage which leaves newish Range Rovers, Jags etc to choose from before they would get to mine but they would turn their nose up anyway at a 12 year old MB. My sons 911 sleeps out on the drive occasionally but really I wasn't concerned because the biggest protection comes from living in a very low crime area. In 28 years no one has had a car stolen or broken into, nor has there been a burglary. To me that is priceless and the reason I've stayed put for so long.

It can happen still, my mates car that was stolen was in one of the lowest crime areas by postcode (a small village where everyone knows everyone), from a cul-de-sac in daylight whilst he was down the road at the village pub. But yes it certainly helps to be in a better area, I am just outside a town with off road parking but my garden security camera can't see the car. Neighbours have cameras that face my car but they aren't prominent so don't act as a deterrent and within hours I imagine they are in a shipping container being taken away to be stripped down or sold abroad with no way to ID the bastards.

Thanks all, I was just wondering what you all did to protect yours but sounds like most of you have been ok by parking sensibly. The same mate of mine had someone try to steal his Fiesta ST whilst it was in his work car park (Ford at Dagenham) but that's a higher risk area, still brave to try and steal from Fords employee car park though, his mate was unlucky and had his nicked whereas my mates just had damage to the doorhandle where they tried to work the lock.

 

[Tonygw]

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[W1ghty]

I leave some old Y fronts on the dashboard as a deterrent

 

[mbmycarstalls]

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[KennyN]

Simple really , dont purchase a vehicle that is so uber desirable to the crims that puts your or your families wellbeing are at risk.

No point (fun) in owning something if it makes you paranoid about some lowlife breaking into your house / carjacking / etc.

There is always this option , however your neighbours may have an issue with the collateral damage.

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K

 

[SpikyMikey]

I leave some old Y fronts on the dashboard as a deterrent

You get the prize W1ghty!
But you also get the dry cleaning bill for getting the coffee stains out of my jumper