B*****d car thiefs

[wombat172a]

I had a phone-call from the police about an hour ago, with them stood outside of the flat. Turns out some scrotes had tried to steal the land rover, but only made it 20 yards, and abandoned it in the middle of the road.

Very strange, I'm not too sure what damage has been done as it's dark and SOCO (? met crime scene I think?) are turning up in the morning to dust for prints so I can't really get in to look til that's taken place. But a quick glance suggests the lock has been lifted and the ignition barrel has been removed, but they stopped when the steering lock came on.

A complete pain in the arse as it means I can't get into work tomorrow whilst I'm dealing with all the fallout from this. Plus I've got the land rover up for sale, and obviously I can't sell it now til I repair it.

I suppose it's fortunate that it's not really gone that far, and that not a HUGE amount of damage has been done, so I'm counting myself lucky there.

Oh, and the police have so far been top notch.

Question though: Do I have to report it to the insurance, even though it's not really going to give me much bother repairing this? If I do does it affect my NCD? (I've not actually made a claim before so I don't know what the deal is here)

[wombat172a]

Only a couple of studenty types from reading, tbh I would have thought pikeys could have foiled the steering lock fairly easily. My guess is on kids, I had my push bike nicked last month too.

Must admit, I'm becoming less of a fan of the neighbourhood.

[wombat172a]

Yea that's my inclination too, for the faff of a new ignition barrel I'll take it on the chin.

Makes me damn glad I decided to find a garage for the TVR to be kept in!

[Emeye]

I wouldn't have it dusted for print if I was you! The stuff they use is almost impossible to get off, and they will more than likely have been wearing gloves. A couple of times I've had to deal with trying to get rid of that stuff at home and as work and it will not clean off. Years ago my boss at the time lost a Sierra Cosworth and that was written off due to the stuff they used making such a mess!!!

Edited by Emeye on Friday 3rd September 06:36

[Somnophore]

I wouldn't tell the insurance if you can Afford not to claim, it would get registered as stolen/recovered and would be hard to sell like that.

[mat205125]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

[Aviz]

Somnophore said:

I wouldn't tell the insurance if you can Afford not to claim, it would get registered as stolen/recovered and would be hard to sell like that.

No it wouldn;t.. not unless they pay out on it.

[edo]

Somnophore said:

I wouldn't tell the insurance if you can Afford not to claim, it would get registered as stolen/recovered and would be hard to sell like that.

bks, no it wouldn't.

[interloper]

Can't see any reason to tell the insurers, its not like a minor prang were there is a chance somebody might change there mind and make a dubious claim against you.

On the finger printing front, I had a car checked for finger prints after an attempted theft, the police left a small amount of dust which was easily wiped off. I cant see how it would be an issue?

[hornetrider]

Thieves.

[Dog Star]

mat205125 said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

+1

[wombat172a]

Update:

It's now been dusted for prints. I've re-hotwired it and recovered it the 50 yards back down the road.

Total damage is to the ignition barrel & steering lock. Total damage £39+vat, definately not worth an insurance claim!

[aka_kerrly]

what a bunch of idiots, to hotwire a car and forget about the steering lock. Clearly they must have been kids who have watched too many films and really think it is a case of red wire to black wire and hey presto off we go.

To be fair for £40 you got away lightly, when some **** tried to nick my car they broke the boot lock, broke the parcel shelf, smashed the steering column surround, ruined the wiring loom from the ignition switch to the fusebox, snapped the steering column when trying to break the steering lock and then gave up. The worst bit was the car was parked outside my house with no engine in it!

dave