Think about who you leave your vehicle keys with. Treat them as you do your house keys – do you know the person you are leaving your keys with? Do you trust them?
Think about where you park your vehicle – is it in a safe place? Well-lit and well-populated areas or car parks with security features such as CCTV, manned barriers or gated entry will give you greater peace of mind.
Check that your vehicle is locked before leaving it. Listen for the locking noise, watch for the lights to flash or mirrors to fold, or simply pull the door handle.
Think about where you leave your spare key. Don’t leave it in your vehicle, and be mindful of how many spares you have and where they are kept.
Check that you haven’t left valuables on display in your vehicle. We all know that this can attract opportunist thieves.
Check that the vehicle’s windows are closed, even if you are only leaving it for a few minutes. Open windows make it all the easier for thieves to gain access.
Think about where you keep your keys at home. Keep them well away from the door or windows and out of sight.
Check that your alarm or immobiliser is enabled when you leave your car. A simple check could save considerable expense and inconvenience later.
Check whether your vehicle has an alarm or immobiliser. If it doesn’t, think about buying an aftermarket alarm, steering wheel lock or other locking device. These are proven to deter thieves.
SMMT runs a series of exhibitions, shows, seminars and missions abroad. Our events calendar highlights the latest SMMT events, SMMT supported events and lists any other industry event.
SMMT represents the UK automotive industry through the membership of companies involved in design, concept, manufacture, sale, after sale, disposal and recycling of motor vehicles, components and accessories.
