Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Oct 17, 2014 17:07:34 GMT
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A few weeks ago, my valve caps were nicked. They were some nice red aluminium ones. I wasn't too concerned because a) they were cheap and b) I don't live in the best area, so wasn't *that* surprised.
But today, I came out of our local supermarket, and noticed that my fuel filler flap was open. That was odd in itself, because the flap has a lock on it. Then I saw that the fuel cap itself (which also locks) had gone. The lock on the flap still works, although it feels a little loose, but I noticed that the driver's door lock, which used the same key, is just a touch 'stickier', it's very slightly more difficult to get the key out than it should be. I've ordered a new cap (which will therefore use a different key).
So, is this likely to be someone trying their luck because they've lost their cap? Or could it be indicative of something else?
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Oct 17, 2014 17:14:00 GMT
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I'd be tempted the change the door lock in case they are using the cap to obtain a duplicate key
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Oct 17, 2014 17:20:59 GMT
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I'm assuming it's the Granada this has happened too? If so, you can buy special lockpicks and key duplicators for the tibbie style locks on Fords and Jags. The easiest way to duplicate it is with the fuel cap away from the car. If they had a go at the lock before nicking the fuel cap and been a bit too rough with it, it would make it a little stiffer as it wears the wafers in the lock very easily.
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Oct 17, 2014 17:31:38 GMT
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Curseword  Time to invest in new locks then. In the meantime, this was in a public place, so they'll have to know where I am for any replacement keys to be of any use? |
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2014 17:41:19 GMT by Del
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doobie
Part of things
Posts: 271
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Oct 17, 2014 17:39:03 GMT
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Ask the supermarket if you can look at their cctv usually they have a good coverage and should help you out .......
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Oct 17, 2014 17:39:58 GMT
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Get a Disklok too if you don't have one. Not infallible by any means but it's the only mechanical steering lock worth bothering with in my opinion, and will help deter the sort of criminals who are looking to drive your car away rather than Hi-Ab it.
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Oct 17, 2014 17:42:32 GMT
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Yep, got a Disklok and it's always on. Wheels are kerbed and steering locked whenever possible.
Will have a chat with the supermarket tomorrow.
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Oct 17, 2014 17:47:02 GMT
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If you do get new locks, buy a filler cap with a different key.
A few years ago there was about 30 different Fords on my parents road (my moms Focus included) that were broken into with the pre-mentioned pick in one night. If it's got an immobiliser you can't start it with the duplicate key, but I'm pretty sure there's a way round it on the older Fords.
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Oct 17, 2014 18:56:32 GMT
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Supermarket will not let you view there cctv I've tried that before when a curse word hit my Capri a few summers ago and drove off ...
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Fraud owners club member
2003 W211 Mercedes E class
1989 Sierra sapphire
1998 ex bt fiesta van
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Ryannn
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,421
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Oct 17, 2014 19:09:41 GMT
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Supermarket will not let you view there cctv I've tried that before when a curse word hit my Capri a few summers ago and drove off ... If you fall lucky, someone could look for you. I always look when people come in and have had damage to their car, it's not a quick job tho and very few people are shown how to use the systems. |
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Oct 17, 2014 19:16:15 GMT
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I work with CCTV and members of the public are allowed to view it on payment of the relevant fee, as stated in the Data Protection Act, so I'm hopeful there.
I'll be calling the insurance company shortly to see if it counts as theft or attempted theft, so I can claim for new locks.
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vulgalour
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 7,243
Club RR Member Number: 146
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Oct 17, 2014 19:23:43 GMT
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That would worry me very much, it does seem like someone has tried to be away with your car. I reckon you're being sensible with the disclok and looking for replacement locks, there's not a huge amount else you can really do at this point.
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Oct 17, 2014 20:04:22 GMT
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I wouldn't worry about the dust caps that will be kids but the locks are a worry. I wouldn't think they were trying to steal the car or it probably wouldn't be there.But I would start keeping a Jerry can in the boot. Also keep it low on juice. It was in a supermarket so it was probably seen as an easy target.
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sweaty palms slip off joystick
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Oct 17, 2014 20:10:10 GMT
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On another point the supermarket might not let you see the video but it was a theft so you could threaten them with the police etc
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sweaty palms slip off joystick
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Oct 17, 2014 20:25:23 GMT
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I wouldnt mention it to your insurance company. All they will do is increase your premium.
Inform the police though.
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Del
South East
Posts: 1,448
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Oct 17, 2014 20:39:46 GMT
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Spoken to the supermarket, they have CCTV and are happy for the fuzz to view if necessary.
Spoken to the Old Bill, they're going to call back tomorrow and see whether forensics etc. are required.
Spoken to the insurance company, who say if it can be proved it's an attempted theft, I can claim for new locks. I have protected NCB, so that's one bright spot, and they also say that if the cost of the work is less than my excess then I don't have to put it through as a claim.
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redratbike
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,769
Member is Online
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Oct 17, 2014 21:28:45 GMT
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Is it worth fitting deadlocks to the doors?? Had an old mk2 escort estate that had them on every door......never any issues with people trying their luck
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Oct 17, 2014 22:03:06 GMT
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Report it to your local police force. It's the very least tampering with a motor vehicle. What sort of Granada do you have?
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Twitter @w0rd5w0rth
1957 Ford Prefect
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Oct 17, 2014 22:06:53 GMT
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Don't involve the insurance company. Even with a protected NCB, you would still have a "claim or accident in the last 5 years" so it'll bump up your premium plenty.
Leave the disklok on, change the locks if you want peace of mind. A disklok is a lot more effort to shift than any number of tibbe locks so even if someone does work out a key they are in trouble.
Even if your granny is a cosworth one, it's not really the type of car that is stolen by someone going prepared like this. I would probably assume some pillocks were trying to chug your fuel rather than copy a key to drive it away.
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Last Edit: Oct 17, 2014 22:10:48 GMT by cobblers
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,927
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Oct 17, 2014 23:43:56 GMT
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Check your locks with another Ford key. they're notoriously curse word, I used a fairly modern Fiesta one to open and start mine a few weeks ago.
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Time to invest in new locks then.
