How thieves

How do they do it?

The modus operandi is almost always the same: the thieves break the side window of the rear door, then unlock the door from inside the vehicle.

Once inside the vehicle, thieves give priority to valuable electronic equipment that is easy to dismantle.

Depending on the category of vehicle and the time available, other accessories, less common than the multimedia unit, can also be stolen. We have already seen thefts of headlights, steering wheels, rear-view mirrors and meters.

These thefts are often organised in groups and carried out simultaneously on several vehicles parked in the same geographical area.

Where is this stolen equipment being sold and why is it so sought after?

The vehicles on our roads are often well equipped (multimedia systems, GPS, LED headlights), but this is not the case everywhere.

In some countries, vehicle purchase taxes are higher than the cost of the vehicle itself. In other words, adding extra equipment can cost more than double the price initially charged by the manufacturer. It is therefore common to buy a vehicle with few options and then add them later, generating strong demand for second-hand parts.

In fact, the German motoring newspaper Autobild carried out an investigation by placing a GPS beacon in a stolen multimedia unit to track it across several countries.

How can I protect myself?

Some manufacturers install various devices to slow down and discourage theft. It is also possible to install a few devices after the fact:

• Special locking screws for the multimedia unit (head unit).
• Plastic protective caps on the flywheel screws.
• Alarm systems.
• Automatic locking of stolen electronic equipment. Once the chassis number is reported, an error appears during reprogramming or coding.

How much will it cost to restore?

The cost of repairs after a unit has been stolen can vary considerably. The level of 'professionalism' of the thief plays a crucial role, as in many cases, to save time, the cables linking the modules are simply cut or ripped rather than disconnected cleanly.

This may require the complete replacement of the vehicle's wiring harness.

As a general rule, partial comprehensive insurance (in Switzerland) covers repairs.

Repair methods and stages

In most cases, repairing damaged harnesses takes the longest after a theft.

It is essential to start by drawing up a list in order to draw up an accurate estimate. In many cases, we can repair damaged wiring harnesses, avoiding the need to dismantle almost the entire vehicle interior.

We have various types of crimping pliers, as well as pliers for fibre optics (MOST) and coaxial cables (FAKRA).

To ensure that the restoration is carried out correctly, ne are replacing HSD cables, which are often susceptible to interference and noise.

Here's an example of an instrument cluster connector that we were able to save from having to replace the entire wiring harness.

The initial connector was cut very close to the module, allowing us to crimp the MQS-type terminals directly at the end, without the need for soldering and splicing.

Some connectors, particularly coaxial plugs, require other components to be removed.

We can supply original TE (Tyco) connectors individually.

With a large quantity of new parts in stock, we can carry out repairs quickly.