Mk5/6 security ?

[swgti]

Unfortunatelyl I cant do that and what I've just said on a forum isn't going to dramatically change everyone's insurance premiuim but take it as a given that I know its a fact the mk5 especially the R32 and Gti are obviously easy to steal and because of their performance are favoured by armed thieves for cash in transit robberies and ramraids, normally its due to car key break ins. I can't speak for the rest of the country but this is a real issue that I have experience of in the North West.

[garrardrj]

Unfortunatelyl I cant do that and what I've just said on a forum isn't going to dramatically change everyone's insurance premiuim but take it as a given that I know its a fact the mk5 especially the R32 and Gti are obviously easy to steal and because of their performance are favoured by armed thieves for cash in transit robberies and ramraids, normally its due to car key break ins. I can't speak for the rest of the country but this is a real issue that I have experience of in the North West.

The quote on the forum will obviously not increase the insurance premiums but you stated Cumbria Police stated such and police statistics go towards underwriting car insurance. How are the MK5's obviously easy to steal then ? Then you state its because the keys have been stolen in break ins , well i'll tell you one thing i can steal any car if i have the keys .  If MK5's were easy to steal the insurance ratings would leap and they haven't , they are still rated the same since their release dates. Ask Flying squad officers or SO19 officers what cars are favoured by these scum and they will not tell you the MK5 GTI/R32. What is your experience in the NW then ?

[swgti]

At the end of the day 99.9% of what people post on internet forums can only be deemed as "opinion" so you either believe it or not, thats up to you, I cant directly say where the info I have has come from but it's not exactly Mi5 material and can be found trawling the internet, reading papers or just following the likes of GMP/Cumbria Constabulary etc on twitter.
The point I'm trying to get across is that (In my opinion???) mk5's especially 5dr R32's and Gti's are unfortuantely the current favourites with certain types of thieves for use generally in shop robberies or cash in transits, preferred method is obviously car key burgularies but there are still a number taken keyless so there are clearly ways and means.
Obviously other vehicles are used and maybe it's more to do with fashion that Golfs are taken opposed to how easy they are to steal, who knows? only the thieves themselves maybe but there is certainly a definate trend of the events to follow when a car like this is taken.
Litterally only a few weeks ago a gang robbed a local COOP of all its cigarettes and a chunk of booze, they initially used a small van to get the booty away from the shop but then used a lovely 5dr R32 that they'd left only yards away from my parents house to get back to Liverpool, Manchester or wherever they'd come from.

[ILoveTuna]

We keep hearing the Mk5 is 'easy' to steal without keys. Have we got any examples? I dont belive its so easy...

At the end of the day 99.9% of what people post on internet forums can only be deemed as "opinion" so you either believe it or not, thats up to you, I cant directly say where the info I have has come from but it's not exactly Mi5 material and can be found trawling the internet, reading papers or just following the likes of GMP/Cumbria Constabulary etc on twitter.
The point I'm trying to get across is that (In my opinion???) mk5's especially 5dr R32's and Gti's are unfortuantely the current favourites with certain types of thieves for use generally in shop robberies or cash in transits, preferred method is obviously car key burgularies but there are still a number taken keyless so there are clearly ways and means.
Obviously other vehicles are used and maybe it's more to do with fashion that Golfs are taken opposed to how easy they are to steal, who knows? only the thieves themselves maybe but there is certainly a definate trend of the events to follow when a car like this is taken.
Litterally only a few weeks ago a gang robbed a local COOP of all its cigarettes and a chunk of booze, they initially used a small van to get the booty away from the shop but then used a lovely 5dr R32 that they'd left only yards away from my parents house to get back to Liverpool, Manchester or wherever they'd come from.

[garrardrj]

They are not easy. If they were the Insurance rating would have risen . It hasn't so that gives you all the answer. Insurance companies don't miss a trick to increase premiums so we should not be worried. It has been said before if they want it they will get it but that is the same for every car from Kia to Koenigsegg

[swgti]

OK, there seems to be an awful lot of emphasis on the word "easy" here, obviously not every Tom, Dick or Harry can walk up to one and steal it "easily" but you're not going to tell me that every golf stolen has to have the keys so it IS possible IF you know how, and maybe there's quite of few people who do.
The point I'm trying to make is that whether you like it or not they are a popular chioce for thieves at the moment be it through Key burglaries or otherwise. I guess how popular and how easy will become clear going forward through any insurance amendments.

[stealthwolf]

I'd have thought that if a thief really wanted a car, they'd take it key or no key.

Perhaps we should ask the insurers about their opinion on this?

[ILoveTuna]

Has anyone got an example of a mark 5 being stolen with both keys present?

[182_blue]

Has anyone got an example of a mark 5 being stolen with both keys present?

Not a Golf but a member on here had their S3 stolen in a odd series of events !

[Horatio]

I bought a key safe not long after i got the golf and keep the car keys locked in when not in use. 

[wycombe_gti]

I wouldn't be any more worried than normal to be honest (and I've had a Focus ST nicked previously off my drive - they had the keys via a burglary).

Every forum is paranoid that their cars are going through a spate of thefts - it'll be the same on FFOC, the same on the Scooby forums, etc. The majority of thefts can be blocked by:

- Garage your car if you have the option
- Lock your front door with a key even if you have a uPVC door (this was my mistake as it was opened using some funky implement through the letterbox)
- Don't leave your keys downstairs/near your front door & certainly not within sight of a window/door. This one takes a bit of debate as some people would say it increases your change of a night-time fight if someone does get in
- Always make sure you hear your car lock and the lights flash when you blip the keyfob

A serious car thief isn't that likely to want an MK5 for sale/export - we're not talking an £80K Rangey here. Some idiot kids hooning up and down your local estate or nicking a load of ciggies and burning off in it are much more likely - and a few locks in their way will most likely stop them.

Keep em safe, :-)

[garrardrj]

There are only a few reasons why a car will be stolen
1.Joy Riding........MK5's can only be driven with keys and most post 2001 cars aswell hence joy ridden cars tend to be old cars
2.Stolen to sell on .....organised crime and involves alot of effort knowledge contacts etc....or steal the keys
3.To perform another task...get away car,ram raid etc......again keys required for a decent car
4.Stolen for parts.......usually involves a tow truck/grabber etc no need for keys etc

So keys are really important to the thief. Keys can be gained with a "friendly" main dealer/ man on the inside

Don't put keys in a key safe as thats where the keys are...quite obvious to a burglar

Keep the keys safe and car is generally safe nowadays.

I have been involved in the investigation of thousands over the last 30 years so happen to know a bit about it  

[dub singh]

MK5 GTI / R32 - The same reason why most of us have bought these is the same reason why most theives will target these cars.. Safe, fast and practical! Oh and spacious!! Get quite a few money bags in those big old boots!

you could argue why not a Type R, M3 or scooby or any other car? its through their own Legendary status as the Original hot hatch thats led to their popularity amongst theives.. Plus theres loads more GTI's out there than M3's etc...

When i spoke to my insurance company regarding a quote on a standard MK5 1.6 Golf it was 3times as much as my previous car which was 200bhp+ with a whole list of mods!!
Why..? The Insurance lady helpfully explained "... The golf is simply more desirable to theives"

[garrardrj]

 3 times more ! I doubt it for a 1.6 mk5 compared to a multi modded 200 plus bhp car. Mk 5 1.6 is Insurance group 6 ! So your saying your modded previous car with 200bhp was about group 3. I think your making it up , but for what reason?

[ILoveTuna]

How many of the thousands were without keys or 'inside men' ?  

There are only a few reasons why a car will be stolen
1.Joy Riding........MK5's can only be driven with keys and most post 2001 cars aswell hence joy ridden cars tend to be old cars
2.Stolen to sell on .....organised crime and involves alot of effort knowledge contacts etc....or steal the keys
3.To perform another task...get away car,ram raid etc......again keys required for a decent car
4.Stolen for parts.......usually involves a tow truck/grabber etc no need for keys etc

So keys are really important to the thief. Keys can be gained with a "friendly" main dealer/ man on the inside

Don't put keys in a key safe as thats where the keys are...quite obvious to a burglar

Keep the keys safe and car is generally safe nowadays.

I have been involved in the investigation of thousands over the last 30 years so happen to know a bit about it