Defender 90 purchase. Put off by reports of thefts.

[RowntreesCabana]

As per the title, I've been looking at a few online over the last week or so, found a couple that tick the boxes needed then discovered a few stories online about thefts. Either the whole vehicle gets stolen or they strip it for parts where it stands. Parts are apparently worth good money??

Is this problem really as bad as is reported? I live in a rural location with the drive next to a lane which sees a fair amount of passing traffic. Would it be a case of when not if?

[DLicence]

Assuming you are talking about the original defender - then unfortunately yes, parts are commonly pinched from them. I have a 110 puma and live in a low crime area and my bonnet was stolen… along with denting the wings in the process.

Lots of different security products out there to delay the thieves, but it’s always at the back of my mind now.

[LooneyTunes]

DLicence said:

Assuming you are talking about the original defender - then unfortunately yes, parts are commonly pinched from them. I have a 110 puma and live in a low crime area and my bonnet was stolen… along with denting the wings in the process.

Lots of different security products out there to delay the thieves, but it’s always at the back of my mind now.

Depends a bit where you live. Have always had the impression that theft to export vs theft to strip varies around the country.

Don’t just think about delay, think about how to make it unattractive.

Big advocate of security marking: datatag and RetainaGroup do some good products that can variously visibly and invisibly mark key components to make them much less attractive. The main benefit is that it’s impossible for a thief to know how many markings the vehicle has or where is marked.

The bonnets are a particular risk as some will steal them to put on older models. There are aftermarket hinges that can make theft harder.

I know one owner who had his lifted from station car park (he left it there regularly and had no additional security whatsoever), but many others who have had no issues. Locally a couple have gone in recent years but, surprisingly, they’ve been older ones that people have bolted various aftermarket bits on instead being newer standard ones.

[RowntreesCabana]

DLicence said:

Assuming you are talking about the original defender - then unfortunately yes, parts are commonly pinched from them. I have a 110 puma and live in a low crime area and my bonnet was stolen… along with denting the wings in the process.

Lots of different security products out there to delay the thieves, but it’s always at the back of my mind now.

Yes, 1990s models. I've found a couple of lovely looking ones about, restored and quite pricey, so I'm reluctant to pull the trigger if its going to be a thief magnet.

I would've thought parts were cheap as chips.

[LooneyTunes]

I think everyone wrestles with this a bit.

The main thing you can do is make it less attractive to thefts than others locally. Deal with some of the security vulnerabilities and leave it with wheel and/or pedal lock, and work on the basis that others won’t have done anything to theirs.

Ultimately it’ll either get stolen or it won’t (and will presumably be insured). When they do go it seems to be a case of them vanishing or parts going missing. Completely different kettle of fish compared to some of the theft stories you hear about with performance Golfs/Audis etc.

[bakerstreet]

There isn't much you can do to prevent it. By all means consider the following, but its just slowing the process down

1. Steering lock (Might get you five minutes
2. pedal lock (Same as above)
3. Security bolts for doors and and bonnet
4. Tracker
5. Water marking (Meh, won't stop them stealing it)
6. Tracker (Not much cop really as I'm guessing the thieves can get to those fairly quickly as so much stuff is exposed on a Defender)

Seriously consider if you actually need a Defender. D3 will go the same places and offer yo some comfort as well as being considerably cheaper to buy. Yes, they cost more to run, but you get a car with a MUCH wider breath of abilities.

[DLicence]

RowntreesCabana said:

Yes, 1990s models. I've found a couple of lovely looking ones about, restored and quite pricey, so I'm reluctant to pull the trigger if its going to be a thief magnet.

I would've thought parts were cheap as chips.

The thieves who stole my bonnet left the original down the street… it’s been tucked down by the side of my garage for a couple of years now. Certain parts are cheap, but when you can have it for “free” even better right..

Visual deterrents are the best, but in my experience using the wheel lock and pedal locks everyday became a chore and put me off the car. If it gets taken now, it’s one for the insurance.

[blueST]

They do get taken, because they are easy to take in standard form and I suspect most that are taken don’t have any extra security. There are a lot of things you can do make them much less attractive to thieves for not much cost. Also, I don’t want to jinx things, but I get the feeling thefts have calmed down a lot of the old Defender in recent years. They seemed to peak in the period after production stopped when prices went stupid and they were the trendiest thing going. I’m a member of various Landy forums and Landy theft related FB groups and the number of them being flagged as stolen seems to have died right down.

[oop north]

Brother in law’s was in the yard and overnight loads of bits stolen from it. Had to be written off due to damage to the car. Miserable experience - he’s spent ages finding a good one and then fixing a few bits on it. Will never have another now