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Protecting Your Car From Theft

Protecting your car from theft is a worry for any car owner.

But unless you drive a particularly rare and desirable car, most thefts come down, like house burglaries, to opportunism. A thief sees the ideal chance, presented by the owner, or circumstances, and makes a grab.

Inevitably though, some cars are more attractive to thieves than others, and if you want to find out which ones these are, then the Government’s Home Office department provides a list. This is a good starting point when it comes to buying your car.

Some basics first. Don’t make it easy for car thieves, especially when it comes to keys. Quite a popular tactic is for thieves to break into people’s houses and go straight for the car keys, and then steal the cars in the driveway, or parked in the garage. If you keep your keys somewhere handy, and obvious, like most people do, then this is where they’ll start looking first. So, at night, maybe just place your keys in a drawer, or cupboard, or in a jar where it’s not so obvious. You might also be able to find them again if you do it every night.

And just because your car is on your property, always ensure that it is locked and any alarm is activated. Also, don’t keep the registration document in the car, as this will be a dream for the car thief.

An obvious one this, but don’t leave your keys in the car when you leave it. And how many times do we hear of people driving up to the paper shop, jumping out of the running car for their newspaper, then come back in literally 30 seconds, to find their car gone. Leaving an unattended running car is not only illegal, but it’s also asking for trouble, and might even invalidate your insurance policy.

Also, when parking, have a quick look around. If it’s a rough area, or badly lit street at night, or if the street’s littered with burning wrecks, then think again. Try and pick a busier area; thieves don’t like audiences.

As to the car itself, think about kitting it out with an alarm and an engine immobiliser. This can help reduce your premiums with many insurance companies. A low-tech solution, but one which is highly effective, is etching the registration number into the car’s windows. This really annoys thieves, as then it’s harder to pass the car off with false plates.

As for protecting your car against the determined vandal, that can be trickier. Someone running a key down the paintwork of your motor might be their way of making a social statement, but getting a new paint job will land you a big bill. As recommended earlier, be careful where you park. Car parks with attendants and CCTV might be costly, but they do deter vandals.

Also, don’t make your car a prize exhibit. Make sure there’s nothing inside to attract the smash-and-grab expert; keep aerials tucked away; ensure wing mirrors are pushed back; radios and CD players are hidden; and, wheels are parked flush to the road. And about those wheels, make sure you’ve got a set of lockable wheel nuts on. Modern alloy wheels can be a prized asset for the thief, so to avoid having your car placed on brick stilts, make sure you’ve get them locked.

Protecting your car from theft is worth the effort in every respect.