Three second theft

[Brind]

Thieves could be off with your car in three seconds, security experts reckon.

They broke into the Daewoo Kalos in record time without breaking any glass.

And What Car? warns many other cars are not far behind.

In a series of tests the Kia Sorento and Subaru Impreza came bottom for overall security, while the Lexus LS430 and Saab 9-3 were clear winners.

What Car? magazine asked locksmiths to try to access 38 models without using specialist equipment. The “thieves” were into all but ten in less than two minutes.

The Hyundai Getz was second worst performer at eight seconds.

Many of Britain’s favourites are ranked badly — like the Peugeot (14 secs); Ford Ka (19 secs); Vauxhall Astra (40 secs) and Toyota Corolla (46 secs). The best-selling Vauxhall Corsa held out for 1min 48secs.

BMW’s £23,765 320Ci coupe was open in 22 seconds, while the £30,200 Mercedes CLK 270 took 1min 15secs.

What Car? editor Rob Aherne said: “Last year we were able to gain access to 57 per cent of the cars tested, this year that rose to 74 per cent. That is a big disappointment.”

Experts also included the models’ security overall on features from locking wheelnuts and etched windows to secure spare tyres and immobilisers.

The Kia Sorento and Subaru Impreza scored 45, while the Lexus LS430 and Saab 9-3 Aero scored a faultless 100.

In 2002 one in ten families with cars fell victim to vehicle crime.

Experts reckon that probably equates to more than two million crimes.

Rob Aheme believes one simple measure would would make a big difference — laminated glass. He said: “It is time makers offered it on all cars, not just the most expensive.”

What Car? ratings out of 100:
1= Lexus LS430 (100)
1= Saab 9-3 Aero (100)
3= Jaguar XJ8 (95)
3= Volkswagen Beetle 2i cabriolet (95)
5= Audi A8 (90)
5= Range Rover Vogue (90)
7= Ford Fiesta Ghia (85)
7= Nissan Micra SVE (85)
7= Volkswagen Golf GTI (85)
10= Lexus IS300 (80)
10= MG ZS 180 (80)
10= Toyota Avensis (80)
13 Renault Espace (75)
14= Audi A4 cabriolet (70)
14= BMW 320 coupe (70)
14= Ford Mondeo ST220 (70)
14= Honda Accord Executive (70)
14= Mazda 6 (70)
14= Peugeot 807 (70)
14= Renault Megane Sport (70)
14= Vauxhall Vectra (70)
14= Volvo XC90 (70)
23= BMW X5 (65)
23= Daewoo Kalos SX (65) ]
23= Ford Focus ST estate (65)
23= Ford Streetka (65)
23= Mercedes CLK 270 (65)
23= Mercedes E220 (65)
23= Peugeot 206 D (65)
23= Seat Ibiza TDI (65)
23= Vauxhall Astra SXI (65)
23= Vauxhall Corsa SXI (65)
33= Toyota Corolla (60)
33= Vauxhall Meriva (60)
35= Ford Ka collection (55)
35= Hyundai Getz CDX (55)
37= Kia Sorento CRDI (45)
37= Subaru Impreza WRX (45)

[KiwiTT]

Getting it open is one thing, getting in and moving is another story. Did they analyse that aspect as well. I have dual immobilisers, etc. etc. etc.

Looking at Data-Dot and GPS vehicle tracking, however the paranoid in me says they can then track how fast I went from A to B.

[Brind]

On cars with standard security you'll find thieves know how to crack the security, if you give them a different challenge and really nothing is better than the DIY route as no one is going to work out how you've done something if you haven't followed the usual route a security company would.
I could twist my car up in knots and it would take hours for a thief to work out.

Opening door techniques is no real big deal like you say, obviously defending items left inside would be a huge problem but to steal your car is a different ball game.
Your car will always be pretty vulnerable as the glass is the weakest point, protective film reduces the chances of entry.
Opening doors by simply pulling up the latch with a shaped piece of metal slipped down along side your window is the easiest, I locked my keys inside my old Sierra and actually broke in using a hacksaw blade slipped down the window!!!
Opening up your bonnet and disconnecting the battery and re connecting again can trigger the central locking on many cars..
Not to mention scanners for emulating an alarms keyfob.

DIY is the best idea.

[Spirit]

Glad I have a tracker fitted as well as the Cat 1

[zedy1]

Originally posted by spirit979
Glad I have a tracker fitted as well as the Cat 1

ahhh u dont really cus i was cuming down to nick it

[Nick VR4]

Originally posted by spirit979
Glad I have a tracker fitted as well as the Cat 1

Yeap me to
Cat 1 alarms are very hard to pick and scan as you have to be no further than 10 feet away to open
I'm more like 3 feet from the car before using fob
Tracker is the retrieve one I have to phone tracker to get it activated
I also have aimmobiliser fitted so if car is not locked after 30 seconds immobiliser cuts in

[zedy1]

cat 1 and 2s are very simple to get into if not proply installed

[Brind]

Originally posted by Nick VR4
Yeap me to
Cat 1 alarms are very hard to pick and scan as you have to be no further than 10 feet away to open
I'm more like 3 feet from the car before using fob
Tracker is the retrieve one I have to phone tracker to get it activated
I also have aimmobiliser fitted so if car is not locked after 30 seconds immobiliser cuts in

So that's why sometimes I have to press the button more than once and move closer to the car.

But as I said, once a thief knows the system used on vehicles there is no chance your alarm will stop them.
My immobiliser works in conjuction with the alarm so once de activated everything is deactivated.
Official VR-4's have the same Cobra fitted alarm they use on the normal Galants so again.. it's not like someone knows how to break into your car.

Still... my bear trap is still waiting for an unsuspecting leg. evil1:

[zedy1]

will have to move the bear trap gently out of the way

[Kieran]

I find polishing one's seats makes it difficult to nick you car... the thieves keep sliding off of them into the footwell

[zedy1]

going to get some auto glm leather polish

fantastic idea maybe i should strat selling leather/velour seat polish too

and write to the insurance company for 99% discount

[Kieran]

:lolz:

[Brind]

Aha! Polish AND bear trap! evil2:

[Kieran]

Yeah a bear trap, and what about getting a pet to guard it - King Cobra perhaps? Or maybe a couple of Black Widow spiders?!

[Kieran]

You could also polish the pets too, so the thieves can't get a grip of them to chuck them out the car!!!

[Nick VR4]

Some guy in London wired his car door handles too some capacitors giving it 1000's of volts :nono:
Only problem was a security guard was going around checking cars to make sure they were locked
Due to spat of car thief's
He died from it :eek:

[Kieran]

The guard had a bit of a shock when he touched the handle, eh?!


/Cue angry "anti crap joke" mob with pitchforks and rope knocking on the door...

[Brind]

Originally posted by Nick VR4
Some guy in London wired his car door handles too some capacitors giving it 1000's of volts :nono:
Only problem was a security guard was going around checking cars to make sure they were locked
Due to spat of car thief's
He died from it :eek:

You can give someone a hefty jolt without killing someone, I've considered doing my cars many a time, cut down on the hundreds of pesky cats around here too!!!
A simple way is to use the internals from a room ioniser, they give out loads of volts but they simply don't have the amperage to kill.
But it makes you wonder why someone would go around checking to see if cars were open anyway! irrespective of thefts... perhaps he was the one you was doing all the thefts.

[zedy1]

=he shouldnt be checking the doors
:nono:me thinks its illegal

[Ultra VR-4]

I just leave my pure bred pitbull in the car. As long as he doesnt eat my apolstry it seems to work fine.