New Fiestas being targeted by thieves

[Adam]

It may purely be coincidence, but this weekend I had someone knock on my door to tell me their Fiesta identical to mine was stolen without the keys and also saw an article on the website of my local paper.

What's the deal with thieves targeting new Fiestas? From googling it seems cars with the keyless entry/start are more susceptible to theft (which mine does not have) but I'm still concerned my car could be targeted.

I've resorted to blocking it in with my other car but that's going to be tedious for the next 18 months until the lease ends! I also never got round to buying GAP insurance which was a silly move on my part.

Anything else I can do to protect myself?

 

[Adam]

I called Ford's technical helpdesk today as I was concerned the security wasn't up to standard. The guy I spoke the media have portrayed the keyless system as being a weak point but it's in no way less secure than a traditional key system (like mine).

He said around a year ago there was a huge wave of thefts which the media reported on but they keyless system wasn't any less secure.

Not sure I buy it but I think the weak point is the keyless system which thankfully my Fiesta does not have. I wished I had asked the girl which model she had so I could work out what kind of security it had.

 

[Adam]

Well they're not exactly going to go "yes sorry, it is a weak point and as a result your car is more likely to be stolen than the Polo next to it" is he?

There may have been some kind of fix/update to put my mind at rest. Besides he said there was a period where many were stolen so he did acknowledge there was a problem/they were being targeted.

If it's just a bog 1.0 fiesta you will be fine. This has been going on for some time now. Usually they target performance cars like the RS, VXR etc.

Its a Zetec-S Red edition.

maybe i'll be lucky and someone will steal the wifes ecosport.

godawful ugly thing that it is I can only hope that the thieves realize it shares a lot with the fiesta/bmax

I actually think the 1.0 ecosport is incredibly impressive once you get used to the turbo lag.

A lot of people on the Fiesta Pages have been completely moving the OBD port or putting a bracket around it and bolting it on.

Not really an option unfortunately as it's leased. Besides I'm a big believer in the theory that if they want it they'll find a way to take it.

 

[Adam]

There is a thing on the STOC forum at the minute, which some people have bought, which is essentially a really stiff tight cover that goes over the OBD port, people have reported it's hard enough to get off using two hands when teh door is fully open, so trying to get it off with one hand without setting the alarm off from outside the car would likely be improbable.

I looked at that but couldn't see anywhere to buy one. Also the other solutions are to install a locked metal cage around the port which just isn't an option.

I just remove the OBD fuse from the fuse box on my Fiesta ST. Job done.
Just have to remember to put it back in when it goes for servicing....

Could it be that simple? Do you happen to know which fuse I would need to remove? Does it affect anything else?

 

[Adam]

Haven't you maybe thought that ease of stealing is the main reason it is being stolen? A Fiesta is hardly a desirable car but because of how easy to steal it is it has become a no brainer to thieves.

I'd argue that a Fiesta ST was a desirable car. Decent performance, looks good and reasonable running costs. Sure it's no Ferrari Enzo, but if the goal is to move it to another country then I'm sure it would be quite an easy car to sell.

my leased Fiesta ST3 has keyless start/entry - i quite like it tbh

thanks for the heads up, i don't leave anything valuable in the car anyway

Sounds like it's the car they are after rather than the contents

 

[Adam]

Another 2 stolen over the past couple of days in my town, found just by friends of friends sharing status updates on facebook.

I'm absolutely convinced that my car won't be sitting on my drive much longer unless I block it in every night until the thieves get caught or they move on to somewhere else. There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that they are being targeted.

I'm looking in to a GAP policy but I wish I had bought it originally as most policies can only be taken out in the first 180 days.

 

[Adam]

I messaged the guy who had his fiesta stolen 2 days ago (3 roads from my house) and he didn't have keyless entry, again the car was stolen without the keys. He said the police had confirmed over 40 Fiestas have been stolen in the past 3 weeks within the town I live in and adjacent towns. Incredible.

 

[Adam]

Must be a reason why these Fiestas/Focuses etc are being targeted though, doesn't matter what method they use if they are being stolen in significant numbers then there must be a weakness.

Anyway, I have GAP insurance now so £63 well spent for peace of mind!