Hi,
I can't afford an alarm so I've been looking for a suitable mechanical-locking device to go a little way to help prevent my car being stolen, or at least help discourage a potential theft.
I've got a standard 2002 VW Golf 1.4S
The Thatcham website isn't much help, except for:
Thatcham Category 3 (Cat 3) - A mechanical device, such as a steering lock.
Any idea how long a Thatcham Category 3 mechanical anti-theft device is supposed to last against an attack to remove it ?
Some of the devices I've been looking at, like AutoLock, don't seem like they'd withstand an attack for long, and only the full steering wheel cover locks seem to offer a degree of protection, but its seems a bit bulky looking and not ideal to carry around in my family car.
Are there any other anti-theft devices I'm missing which you could recommend ? Also I was wondering if there is any decent anti-theft device which somehow prevents the pedals being pushed down.
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I've just re-found the "forum search" link, and see there is much discussion there and suggestions. My apologies for bringing up a subject which has been discussed at length before.
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Davidc
Dont bother, your car will not tbe stolen.
1/ Its not an attractive vehicle to those that steal cars,
2/ It has an efficient enough imobilisor for the type of thief that would steal your car,
Your only worry is "broken window smash and grab" stuff, which frankly you cant buy things to prevent.
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Some on here would have you believe that the best mechanical anti theft device would be a Ford Focus saloon in that lovely gold colour.
Some....
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Adam
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Absolutely agree with RF here, no point buying these things as your car has a decent immobiliser.
The cars theives are interested in is old vehicles without factory fit immobilisers or fancy electronics to stop people nicking them, such as Mk4 Escorts. Better keep my fingers crossed then!
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Mike Farrow
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Glock 17
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Yeah they work too. That is a piece of porcelain I would have on the fireplace!
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Adam
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My security consists of:
'91 Uno 1.0 5 door - no chav would be seen dead in one!
All you want them to do is go on to the next one, so fit a standard steering wheel "arm" lock. They won't waste valuable seconds trying to get into yours if there's another car next to it with no deterrent.
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Think this week's Auto Express has a review of security accessories.
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As you've asked the question ........
Only a couple of steering locks worth buying - Disclok (best one) & the one similar that halfords sell (only covers 3/4 of the steering wheel). According to info I've read the rest are pretty useless, any CHAV can get them off in a few seconds.
Police etc recommend the fitment of several different devices - mechnical & electronic. As already said though your motor isn't that attractive to the professional so you're only concerned about the opportunist - existing immobiliser will normally be enough but if you'd prefer peace of mind get a Disclok. Never leave anything on show inside the car either !!
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"..no chav would be seen dead in one!"
Truer than you realise. I helped my son go car shopping a few weeks ago (he's not a chav, but a responsible soon-to-be-family man) and one of the cars on our short-list was a privately-owned Mazda Demio. This was for sale because it had been bought by a caring mother for her ungrateful 18-year old, who refused to use it because it ruined his street cred!
I admit that a Demio probably wouldn't have been his first choice, but it was hers because she already had one and liked it, and she was also aware that he stood some chance of being able to insure it...
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Hmm, I think i would have to agree with the 18 year old, a Mazda Demio has *no* street cred whatsoever, if I was getting bought a first car (which I'm afraid I've never had done for me) then I would have begged my parents to buy me a Ka 1 or something instead of a Demio. But that's because I've only just turned 21 and am still fairly shallow in the grand scheme of things :-)
DavidC - As for the lock, seriously, don't bother, you're wasting your money and your time every time you take it on and off. Cars as new as yours are only stolen with keys, by carjacking, or are professionally stolen to order. A mechanical lock will be no use at all in the first two cases, and as for the third example, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, no one will ever go to the trouble to have a 1.4 Golf stolen to order, it isn't exotic enough and it isn't worth enough.
The best way to ensure it stays safe is by removing everything from sight and removing any radio security panel, not just leaving it under the seat as I once did (I lost the radio because of that). Also, when you come home at night, make sure your keys are well around the corner from your letterbox, round our way they have gone to the trouble of using mirrors and hooks to get the keys and take cars. Unfortunately for the poor owners in one case, they forgot that they had both sets of keys on one keyring and the next night they found that their other brand new car was removed from the driveway!
I would spend the money saved from the lock on something nice for the car, or better yet, myself! :-)
Blue
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Just found this - www.secureyourmotor.gov.uk
It lists your car as a low to medium risk depending on year, but I think from the data this looks like a glitch in the figures, the 2002 is listed as medium whilst the 2000 and the 2003 models are listed as low risk, despite there been no change in the security of the vehicle. I think it's just unfortunate chance that a few more people in 2001 and 2002 cars have lost them, just enough to tip these cars into the medium category.
Of those 4 in every 1000 Golfs that actually get stolen, you can guarantee that every one will almost certainly have been stolen with keys which are obtained by house breaking or mugging, or, they will have been carjacked.
Blue
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1) Padlock and bike chain through one of the wheels
2) Take the rotor arm out
3)Instal your own hidden non-standard switch for the fuel pump.
4) Leave a window slightly open so they don't have to damage the car before discovering it won't start.
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Try leaving a fully grown rotweiller or doberman in the car, no need to lock it and you can leave all the windows open slightly, if anyone is daft enough to try stealing from the car, they deserve what they get!
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And then you will have to have the dog(s) put down, or at least muzzled for ever.
Perhaps better not.
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Must say I aggree with Mark.Leaving a large ,vicious dog in a car is asking for trouble.I know I`m going through it at the moment! Story comes to mind about man parking on Liverpool street.He`s approached by a boy of about ten."Look after you`r car for you for 50 pence" he says." No" says man"it`s got a great big Alsatian in it" Lad asks "and does he fight fires,sir"He got his 50p.
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Wot Blue and RF sed.
I'd just add that the vast majority of those stolen Golfs will have been at the very least GT TDis, if not V5s, VR6s and R32s, not 1.4 petrols. It's just not quick enough or valuable enough to attract any interest and it's too difficult to steal if you just want wheels to get you back from the kebab shop.
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I rather disagree with some of these views. The problem with car theft is its randomness. Kids will steal anything easy and probably old. Professionals take expensive stuff. My brother recently had his mark 2 Mondeo (alarm immobiliser) stolen. Its the small stuff that's taken, that is such a pain. He lost 10 Cds, tyre guage etc and a few tools, and his sons disability parking card. All replced for £150, but so annoying and time consuming. Moreover, he had just paid £290 for a full Ford cambelt replacement in the belief it would see the car out.
I strongely advocate 3 feet of steering wheel steel. It may not stop a pro, but the deterant effect is worth it. There are some goodish Thatcham locks. The key is to get one that clicks on with no need for the key to lock it, just get it off. If it is keytime everytime, people don't use them. For GB cars in France, a good steering lock also looks purposeful.
Friend of my mothers stopped at a French motorway stop for a break. Came out, no car. They had what they stood up with, i.e. what they were wearing. Now thats a great end to a holiday.
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Best mechanical anti-theft device ?
- Remove all GTi/Ghia/V6/3L badges from rear of car. Replace with lowest badges you can find, i.e. 1.1.
- Remove alloys and replace with steels. Keep alloys in shed for selling.
Why draw attention to yourself. You know your cars fast and can give a Police car a run for its money, no-one else needs to know that.
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Mike Farrow
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It's already got a 1.4 badge on it, I reckon that should do the trick :-)
Totally agree with what you say though, I just couldn't bring myself to do it!
Blue
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How did they manage to steal the Mk2 Mondeo? I was always under the impression I had one of the most unstealable cars around - too difficult for the casual thief, too dull and worthless for the professional (Despite the high specification and bodykit).
I thought the immobiliser was supposed to be pretty good?
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I think some of the earliest models with PATS are now becoming stealable, just, but the joyriding industry is still just a shadow of it's former self.
Stealing cars with the owner's keys is where it's all at now, hence the rise in the number of homes burgled for the car keys and also the number of carjackings.
Blue
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