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Vehicles are vulnerable possessions, they can be broken into, stolen, involved in accidents, used carelessly and dangerously
endangering yourself and others. This section deals with advice and tips to avoid these pitfalls.
Car Security It is estimated that over 2 million cars are stolen each year in the UK. Over the last 5 years however
car crime has fallen by around 30%. This is good news but does not mean we don’t need to be careful. The best way
to avoid it happening to you is to take steps to secure your car, and not to invite the interest of potential thieves. There
are many useful web resources such as the crime reduction toolkit or the government website secure your motor Top ten tips for car security - Don’t Display
Never leave anything
on display when you park your car. Even an old coat or a plastic bag can tempt a thief. Instead put your possessions in the
boot or under a car seat. - Immobilisers
Electronic engine immobilisers prevent your car from starting and are
the best way to stop thieves. They should be professionally fitted by an approved installer. You don’t have to do anything
to arm it so it’s easy to remember. Very few cars fitted with immobilisers are stolen, and of those that are, it’s
normally because the key was stolen first. - Parking
When parking at home always use your garage if you have
one. Always lock both your car and your garage. If you don't have a garage, always try to park in a well-lit, open place.
If your car has security features, use them and advertise it. The majority of car thefts are opportunistic not professional.
- Secure car parks
When parking outside always try and park your car in an attended car park. Ideally park near the
booth where the attendant is stationed. Try to look for a public carpark which is part of the police-approved Safer Parking Scheme - Steering locks
Use a steering wheel lock every time you leave your car. Use one that is highly visible to
deter thieves from trying. This is a good solution if fitting an immobiliser would cost almost as much as your car is worth.
Steering locks can also be kept when you change cars. For information on choosing a steering lock see here - Car alarms
Car alarms can deter thieves from not only stealing your car, but also taking items from it. They
need to be fitted by a professional, the AA recommends installation by a Vehicle Systems Installation Board (VSIB) approved
installer. - Locking wheel nuts
These are cheap, easy to fit and stop thieves from taking your wheels. Particularly
useful if you’ve spent extra on alloy wheels. You must keep the key with you. - Etching
Have your car
registration number or the last 7 digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched onto all windows, both windscreens
and your headlamps. This makes it more difficult for the car’s identity to be changed and sold on, therefore deterring
professional thieves. - Security Marking
Mark all your car equipment, like your car stereo, with your vehicle
registration number. Similar to etching but requires a proactive approach to notice. A UV property marker pen will do but
you can get more sophisticated equipment like SmartWater and MightyDot Common misconceptions
about car crime - No one will want my clapped out car
WRONG – most modern cars come with
security as standard. Thieves are quite willing to trade less profit for an easier life. Opportunistic thieves that use
cars for joy riding and other crimes only care if they can get in.
- Most car thefts are by professionals who’ll
get in even with security. There’s no point
WRONG – Only 1 in 4 thefts are by professionals. You’re
much more likely to be targeted by a petty criminal. They rely on finding unsecured cars.
- It doesn’t
really matter if my car gets stolen, my insurance will cover it
WRONG – Ok, insurance will hopefully pay the cost
of the car but there’s no compensation for the time and effort of getting a new one, the emotional impact of having
your property violated, the cost of the excess, or the effort in replacing the contents etc.
How to avoid buying a stolen car - Check it out
Check a commercial database from companies such as HPI Group Ltd , Carwatch UK Ltd , or CCN Motorfile to check out the car you've got your eye on - has it been reported stolen or written off by an insurance
company? Alternatively you can get an AA Car Data Check which will make these checks for you and more. - Dealer
If you're buying through a dealer, ask them to
approach HPI Group Ltd, Carwatch UK Ltd or CCN Motorfile for you. - Private
If you're buying privately,
meet the seller at their home. Remember, although it may be cheaper, buying privately is more risky and you have fewer legal
rights. Some dealers pretend to be private sellers to avoid the extra rights but are still liable, look out for signs of
car dealing - lots of cars or car parts around is a bit of a giveaway. - Documents
Don't buy the car if the
seller can't produce the vehicle registration documents. If they tell you it’s been bought recently and the form
is currently with the DVLA be very wary. It may be the case or it could just be a line. Check the documentation for spelling
mistakes, alterations, and a watermark. Check that the vehicle registration number (number plate), vehicle identification
number (VIN) – found on the car bodywork by the driver’s seat and/or under the bonnet, and the engine number (found
on the engine) all match the documents. Ask the seller to show you their insurance documents too to check the address’s
and details match up. - Numbers
Check that the registration documents (V5) have not been tampered with and that
numbers on the car, such as the vehicle registration number (number plate), vehicle identification number (VIN) – found
on the car bodywork by the driver’s seat and/or under the bonnet, and the engine number (found on the engine) all match
the documents. Ask the seller to show you their insurance documents too to check the addresses and details match up.
- Etching
Check that no one has tried to remove any security etching. These would be in the corner of windows and
possibly on headlamps. They may have been covered with stickers. - Register
If there's a mark or sticker
showing that the car is linked to a security register, check it out. - Auction
If you're buying a car at
auction, take advantage of 'indemnity clauses', which, for a small fee, can protect you if you find you've bought
a stolen car. If you don’t know much about cars take someone with you that does. It can be a risky way to buy. Your
usual legal rights might not be enforceable if the seller advertises “sold as seen” so be warned. Read the auctioneers
conditions of sale. If it looks too good to be true it may well be! - Inspection
Get the car inspected by a
professional from somewhere like the AA or the RAC for signs of repaired crash damage and other warning signs. - Risk
Check out the Car Theft Index on this website to find out which cars had the highest and lowest levels of theft last year - This may help you decide which
model to buy. If you have any information about criminal activity, particularly concerning cars stolen for
spare parts or items stolen from cars and then sold to the public, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You do not have to give out your name.
Driving and mobile phones Phones in cars can have many benefits. They provide security and help in an emergency.
However, they are distracting if used when driving and this increases the risk of a crash. It is hard to do two things at
once and to drive safely you must concentrate on the road. It is a criminal offence to use a hand-held mobile phone
when driving. The ban also applies when you are waiting at traffic lights or in a traffic jam. The only exception is in a
genuine emergency when you need to call 999 and cannot stop reasonably or safely. Although hands-free phones are not included
in the ban and can be used while driving, you can still risk prosecution for failure to have proper control of your car or
for careless or dangerous driving. There is a fixed penalty of £30 for breaking the law by using your handheld mobile
when driving, or up to £1,000 if you are convicted in court. Drivers of buses, coaches or goods vehicles face a higher
maximum fine of £2,500. The best thing to do is turn your phone off when you get in the car (or give it to a passenger).
Alternatively, switch it to voicemail and pull over to check when you get notification. If you forget to switch off then
just let the phone ring, you can call back later. You should also note that this legislation also applies to someone
supervising a learner driver. However, it does not apply to cyclists. If you are stopped in traffic you still cannot use
your mobile when you can reasonably expect to move off after a short while. Under exceptional circumstances, for instance
a jam that doesn’t move, it is clear you won’t soon be moving if your engine were switched off. You
can find out more about mobile phones and driving on the Department of Transport website please note that it may take a long time to load the page. Other distractions Do not forget
the advice in the Highway Code about other distractions which may affect your concentration when driving. To drive safety
avoid: - loud music that may mask other sounds
- trying to read a map
- inserting a cassette or CD or
tuning the radio
- arguing with your passengers or other roads uses
- eating and drinking
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