Disabling a car

woodpigeon4 · 4 Aug 2011 at 12:26

Asking this on behalf of a friend who will be going on holiday and leaving his car (mk5 astra) uninsured in the drive for two weeks. He was going to disconnect the battery but I advised against it, guessing it would disable the immobliser and alarm. Am I right? Is there anything you would recommend doing to make it less steal-able or should he just leave it?
thanks

Berger · 4 Aug 2011 at 12:33

Wouldn't do anything to it apart from maybe insuring it.

If its not insured, then make sure it is SORN'd.

Scania · 4 Aug 2011 at 12:35

Remove the battery, wheels, engine - somebody could still lift it onto a flat bed truck mind you!

Its an Astra, I'm sure the removing the battery would put off most, remove the HT leads (if its a petrol) also helps.

Where to draw the line I guess.....

d_brennen · 4 Aug 2011 at 12:40

You'd probably have to unlock the radio after, do you have the code for it? For the sake of 2 weeks I'd just insure the thing

woodpigeon4 · 4 Aug 2011 at 12:40

Berger said:
Wouldn't do anything to it apart from maybe insuring it.

If its not insured, then make sure it is SORN'd.

I thought it only had to be SORN'd if it wasn't taxed? As it's only going to be uninsured for a few weeks I don't see any point doing that.

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
Remove the battery, wheels, engine - somebody could still lift it onto a flat bed truck mind you!

Its an Astra, I'm sure the removing the battery would put off most, remove the HT leads (if its a petrol) also helps.

Where to draw the line I guess.....

Yeah, we're not going to go too far

Do you know if removing the battery would disable the security though? Wouldn't know how to remove the HT leads.

woodpigeon4 · 4 Aug 2011 at 12:41

d_brennen said:
You'd probably have to unlock the radio after, do you have the code for it? For the sake of 2 weeks I'd just insure the thing

Yes, the code's in the manual. I might just tell him to insure it but would like to explore other possibilities in case he can't.

Dr Who · 4 Aug 2011 at 12:43

woodpigeon4 said:
I thought it only had to be SORN'd if it wasn't taxed? As it's only going to be uninsured for a few weeks I don't see any point doing that.

New regulations require SORN if uninsured as well.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_186696

MOOGLEYS · 4 Aug 2011 at 13:21

Just leave it with the battery connected and locked and deadlocked. This would offer the most protection. You will also need to declare it sorn, Is it not worth insuring it for the sake of saving a couple of weeks...?

Morbius · 4 Aug 2011 at 13:24

woodpigeon4 said:
Is there anything you would recommend doing to make it less steal-able or should he just leave it?
thanks

Weld the doors shut.

Muncher · 4 Aug 2011 at 13:35

Just take the coil pack off or remove the spark plugs.

Burnsy2023 · 4 Aug 2011 at 13:39

If he's worried about it being stolen why is it uninsured?

Matt82 · 4 Aug 2011 at 13:40

take it on holiday

Vonhelmet · 4 Aug 2011 at 13:49

Take the steering wheel off?

Skeeter · 4 Aug 2011 at 13:58

Park it in a garage?

:confused:

Luke · 4 Aug 2011 at 14:12

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
Its an Astra ...would put off most

Fixed.

sigma · 4 Aug 2011 at 15:06

Muncher said:
Just take the coil pack off or remove the spark plugs.

This ^ and/or remove the fuel pump fuse.

Or just leave it? Why would going on holiday make it more likely to be stolen? Nothing stopping someone stealing it any other time.

Nothing you do will prevent someone from stealing it if they're determined, they can always come back the next day.

Westyfield2 · 4 Aug 2011 at 15:13

Take the ECU out and put it on axle stands.

Sagalout · 4 Aug 2011 at 15:16

Put a big dog in it

Berger · 4 Aug 2011 at 15:17

Westyfield2 said:
Take the ECU out and put it on axle stands.

More likely to have it stolen and weighed in if you leave it looking like its a ***** banger. Someone will sling through the windows and just lift it up up and away.

Skyboat · 4 Aug 2011 at 16:05

Take out all the fuses?