Renault Laguna in top 10 most stolen cars. Why?
Discussion
I read an article in Telegraph motoring yesterday about how gangs were stealing certain high-end cars to order and then exporting them never to be seen again.
Now, most of the cars being targetted were as expected, niche models from BMW (7er, X5, Z4), Audi (A3, A5, TT), Mercedes (ML) and Range Rovers. A couple of other models did surprise me though. I didn't expect to see Land Rover Defenders on the list initially but on reflection, they are quite popular globally, last a long time and hold their value well but the other model, the Renault Laguna, was a complete surprise. Why would there be such a demand for a rather unattractive, unreliable, overly-complicated, now-defunct Renault? I used to work at a Mercedes dealership and our SLKs and SLs were targetted quite frequently (some never to be seen again), so I was surprised not to see more Mercedes in the list.
Certain insurance companies won't quote me a reasonable premium on my 2004 Impreza WRX (possibly because they think I might crash it?), whereas one of the big insurance companies refuse to insure it unless I fit a Tracker. Another company this year siad that they would insure me fully comprehensively this year but not for theft unless I fit a Tracker! Naturally I went elsewhere, as the car is now 8 years old and I hardly live in a high-risk area, so I think my car being stolen is highly unlikely. If I owned a Renault Laguna, would these companies also insist that I fit a Tracker?
The article didn't really explain why certain models were being targetted and in contradiction, the article said that recovery rates were highest on Renaults and Fiats. So any ideas why a defunct french repmobile is such a target for thieves?
Now, most of the cars being targetted were as expected, niche models from BMW (7er, X5, Z4), Audi (A3, A5, TT), Mercedes (ML) and Range Rovers. A couple of other models did surprise me though. I didn't expect to see Land Rover Defenders on the list initially but on reflection, they are quite popular globally, last a long time and hold their value well but the other model, the Renault Laguna, was a complete surprise. Why would there be such a demand for a rather unattractive, unreliable, overly-complicated, now-defunct Renault? I used to work at a Mercedes dealership and our SLKs and SLs were targetted quite frequently (some never to be seen again), so I was surprised not to see more Mercedes in the list.
Certain insurance companies won't quote me a reasonable premium on my 2004 Impreza WRX (possibly because they think I might crash it?), whereas one of the big insurance companies refuse to insure it unless I fit a Tracker. Another company this year siad that they would insure me fully comprehensively this year but not for theft unless I fit a Tracker! Naturally I went elsewhere, as the car is now 8 years old and I hardly live in a high-risk area, so I think my car being stolen is highly unlikely. If I owned a Renault Laguna, would these companies also insist that I fit a Tracker?
The article didn't really explain why certain models were being targetted and in contradiction, the article said that recovery rates were highest on Renaults and Fiats. So any ideas why a defunct french repmobile is such a target for thieves?
Not surprised by the Defender at all, I've got an early Defender 90 TDI, hugely popular, extremely valuable and with good residuals. Combine this with the fact even modern ones have laughable security, doors that can be opened with a banana and the entire vehicle can be stripped down to its bare components in a matter of hours with a basic tool kit makes them ideal candidates for theft.
Insurance fraud that's why,
Try owning one, you would want to throw a can of petrol over the thing once its broke down every single day of the week.
The only way anyone could get rid of one is by getting it stolen.
Ps you would need someone to steal it with a low loader as chances are it will only get 10 feet down the road before it had another major failure.
I sold my 4/5 year old one for scrap value in the end, even Renault won't buy them back off you or take them back as PX as their so bad.
Try owning one, you would want to throw a can of petrol over the thing once its broke down every single day of the week.
The only way anyone could get rid of one is by getting it stolen.
Ps you would need someone to steal it with a low loader as chances are it will only get 10 feet down the road before it had another major failure.
I sold my 4/5 year old one for scrap value in the end, even Renault won't buy them back off you or take them back as PX as their so bad.
I purchased a 98 Laguna at three years old with 80k on the clock, ran it up to 125k over two years and with the exception of a coil going it never gave a minutes trouble. I am however aware that the later models were complete s
te!
I agree on the theft statistics, must be tempting to use a can of unleaded to fix a car that you will be paying for for another couple of years which has just landed you with yet another 2k repair bill.
te!I agree on the theft statistics, must be tempting to use a can of unleaded to fix a car that you will be paying for for another couple of years which has just landed you with yet another 2k repair bill.
HTP99 said:
Laguna II facelift in 2005 (I think) was a very reliable car, Laguna III is a fantastically reliable and well built car, Renault UK wanted to change the name, Renault France said no.
I was going to say this, but the name on the badge made me too ashamed too!And i drive one, in fact i intentionally chose one over a raft of other cars in the same class as i thought it was the best of the bunch. It wasn't even on my radar until i came across one at a dealers in London.
Laguna 3 complaints / problems are few and far between on the 'net.
I hadn't thought about that. Is it just the Laguna being stripped down or the other motors as well? I thought that with UK cars being RHD, that this would make the UK less appealing to steal for export (when most foreign markets are LHD). Most of these cars are very expensive in other markets with long waiting lists potentially, so I guess it makes some sense.
With regards to the Laguna, a friend has broken 3 Laguana IIs in as many years, so I am aware of the expensive unreliability issues. He has now seen the light and bought an X-Type instead. To be fair, he had a bad crash in the first Laguna (before it broke) and walked away from it, so I can understand his initial enthusiasm for the car. My uncle had a Phase 2 Laguna 1 for several years though, which was a decent enough car and never gave him any major problems.
With regards to the Laguna, a friend has broken 3 Laguana IIs in as many years, so I am aware of the expensive unreliability issues. He has now seen the light and bought an X-Type instead. To be fair, he had a bad crash in the first Laguna (before it broke) and walked away from it, so I can understand his initial enthusiasm for the car. My uncle had a Phase 2 Laguna 1 for several years though, which was a decent enough car and never gave him any major problems.
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