General Uno Break-in

[carlito]

Hey all
My Uno Fire nearly got broken into last night. Nothing was stolen, but the idiot did manage to break my driver's side door handle and lift the lock button. If I hadn't come out when I did he would've probably completed his silly deed. I read somewhere on the forum about the door handles that can come off fairly easily on an Uno and I actually experienced it for myself. It seems that all that this guy needed to do was jerk the handle hard enough to break the plastic being held in place by two screws and he's in. I just wonder if a gearlock is safe enough to keep my car from being driven off by someone that just wants parts and how do I keep my car protected if all that is done to get in, without a key, is break the handle?
Anyway, after a lengthy search we caught the son of a ... and beat the ... well let's just say he won't be trying anything like that near there again. Unless he's stupid and desperate.
Cheers

 

[Ucof]

Take your battery with you at all times.
Get a visible steering wheel lock.
Live in your car.
Fit an alarm.
Park on a massive electromagnet.
Park in a well lit place.

Or, all of the above


Sorry to hear about your misfortune

 

[Mr_Uno]

Security is certainly not the Uno's forte !

...i've thought of taking the battery with me when i leave it on the car park at work. I work nights and sometimes the last to the leave, it's a big car park and i can't always park close enough so i can see it.

BTW: Are you talking about the 3 door or 5 door, door handles ?

 

[carlito]

When this incident happened, the car was parked directly under a street lamp. If I was to take the battery out everytime I parked, then I'd have to re-set the radio stations again. That will really irritate me. But then again, would I rather want to re-set radio stations or have my car stolen. It sounds okay to do it though(if this was a serious suggestion), but just a bit time consuming. Especially if I'm just gonna be parked for a while. Perhaps if I was working nights then that idea would be perfect. I would actually do that. I have a gearlock and I'll be fitting an alarm soon. Hopefully it helps. I have the five door version. Also I don't think my wife would be too happy with me living in the car and also I don't know of many people who have huge electromagnets in the front of their homes.

 

[Ucof]

We all have electromagnets in the UK - it became law in 1993- all new houses have to be built with one on the driveway so as to help prevent car crime.

Have you thought about getting a wheel clamp?

I have one and take it wherever I drive.
It means that I can park anywhere I want and not get clamped as the traffic wardens think I've already been clamped!

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=wheel+clamp&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[EssexUno]

Ucof, i absolutely LOVE that idea haha

 

[btmaldon]

I just fitted an £25 eBay Alarm Immobiliser. Its very loud, shock sensor, passive sensor with loads of flashing lights and two remotes. It may not stop them but it will put the scum off.