How are most cars stolen?

Supersonos

Does anyone know of any info about how cars are stolen?

Are they hotwired? Is that even a thing these days? Or are the keys stolen to allow the car to be taken?

Without the keys, can my car be stolen?

I've seen a thing called an Autowatch Ghost and wonder if, with that installed, is my car literally theft-proof (short of lifting it onto a low-loader).

foxy-stoat

They are stolen in a number of ways, I have always had a hidden switch that would kill the fuel pump, but even that isn't 100%.

caprikid1

Firstly what is the car.


Different cars can be stolen in different ways, they all have their weak spots.


In the case of Golf R's any way they can , with violence to get the keys if needed.

le_veilleur

No immunity from towing

caprikid1

le_veilleur wrote: »

No immunity from towing

But with a tracker you can get it back ?

Ebe_Scrooge

foxy-stoat wrote: »

They are stolen in a number of ways, I have always had a hidden switch that would kill the fuel pump, but even that isn't 100%.

Bring back the good old days when you could simply remove the rotor arm and stick it in your pocket, thwarting all but the most determined of thieves :-)

custardy

caprikid1 wrote: »

But with a tracker you can get it back ?

Not if it goes into a shipping container

shaun_from_Africa

caprikid1 wrote: »

But with a tracker you can get it back ?

Not if the thieves know what they are doing.
If the tracker sends a signal over the mobile phone network then all that is needed is a signal jammer, something that can be bought for about £200 upwards from many places worldwide.
If it's a GPS tracker then as the signal is blocked by anything solid, simply driving the vehicle into a metal building or container will stop it from being tracked until the thieves find and disable the transmitter.

AdrianC

Supersonos wrote: »

Does anyone know of any info about how cars are stolen?

Are they hotwired? Is that even a thing these days? Or are the keys stolen to allow the car to be taken?

Without the keys, can my car be stolen?

I've seen a thing called an Autowatch Ghost and wonder if, with that installed, is my car literally theft-proof (short of lifting it onto a low-loader).

What car is it? Is it even remotely likely to be tempting to thieves?

Very few modern cars can be nicked by hotwiring - coded immobilisers have been ubiquitous for a couple of decades or more.

Stuff with keyless start can be nicked without the keys, simply by using something to extend the radio signal - but spending a few quid on a faraday pouch will resolve that.

But nothing will stop them breaking in to your house and taking the keys - asking you nicely, if they can't find them quickly - if they really want it.

Something like a Ghost is rapidly going to become a PITA - either you need to make sure you always have your phone handy and switched on, with the app running, or you need to play Simon Says - every time you get in the car. And then what happens? The scrotes who just asked you nicely for the keys may well ask you nicely for the code...

The simple answer is to understand that scrotes will be very, very interested in some cars - especially german and fast. Some areas have a preponderance of scrotes, but some scrotes will be happy to travel. Either decide it's an acceptable risk or buy something less scrote-tempting.

Supersonos

AdrianC wrote: »

The simple answer is to understand that scrotes will be very, very interested in some cars - especially german and fast. Some areas have a preponderance of scrotes, but some scrotes will be happy to travel. Either decide it's an acceptable risk or buy something less scrote-tempting.

So when I'm away for a week and my Range Rover is parked in a hotel car park (so they have no way of knowing who owns it and the keys are nowhere near it) it's impossible to steal it other than to tow it?

And even if they tow it, what can they do with it then other than strip it for parts?

AdrianC

Supersonos wrote: »

So when I'm away for a week and my Range Rover is parked in a hotel car park (so they have no way of knowing who owns it and the keys are nowhere near it) it's impossible to steal it other than to tow it?

Unless they follow you from the car park to find out your room. Or simply car-jack you on your way out.

And even if they tow it, what can they do with it then other than strip it for parts?

Does it matter much what they do with it once it's gone...?