While funds are tight (I'm out of work at the moment ) I have taken my 2002 XKR off the road (ie. it's not taxed...or insured for that matter)

It is however just on the drive. Any suggestions as to how I can best stop anyone nicking it? I leave in a reasonably safe area but thought I should take precautions...preferably something that doesn't involve spending any money!

Remove a fuse somewhere perhaps? I'd rather not disconnect the battery if at all possible. Any other adice on how to care for her while she's just stood there would be welcome too.

 

Park it at another family members home with extra driveway space or better yet a garage?
Home owners insurance from them"should"come into play if anything was to happen to your car from that point on.I would think?
Yes someone"you" pay the deductible if something did happen.
If you are hiding it from bill collector,even with all 4 wheels off it they will get it.
Good luck!

 

Thanks, hemitwist.

I'm in the UK so you can legally take it off the road, just fill in a few forms and you even get a refund on your tax!

 

Pulling the ECM relay or fuse is a simple solution to prevent starting. Several ways to disable the car from starting but not much you can do about a flat bed tow truck.

 

If long periods of time, I'd put a good, securable cover on it. They make a cover (I know, you said free, but security and piece of mind often is not) that has a cable at the bottom that can be locked with a padlock. You can't tell what model the car is and the trouble for a potential thief to take a 'peek' would not be worth it to them.

 

Just lock the car, it has an immobilizer and alarm on it that reads key codes, so no one will be starting it without the key. If you're really paranoid, pull the fuel pump fuse or relay.

 

As test point noted, I'd be more worried about it being towed off so car cover at minimum. Best would be to have it in a garage or storage unit somewhere so it is out of sight (and better for preservation as well).

 

Pulling a fuse or relay wouldnt stop someone if theyre gonna start it.i would just "borrow" another relay or fuse next to it. You should pull all the relays from the rear junction box and engine bay fuse boxes.

 

Sorry to hear about your difficulty.

All sorts of ways to disable the car, from tripping the inertia switch, removing the plug leads, putting it on stands and removing the wheels.

Or if you have a friendly local used car dealers why not see if you can borrow or hire one of their wheel clamps.

NB, don't rely on your or anyone else's house insurance it won't normally work with an uninsured vehicle even when on a SORN. You need to contact the insurance company to discuss the matter and see what they would want you to do in order to prove that the car is immobile.

Hope things look up for you soon.

 

Thanks everyone.

When I look out the window and see it stood there, it really motivates me to get a new job.

My mate is putting pressure on me too. Twenty years ago we said that come our mid 40s we'd go on a road trip in a sports car to the bull run at Pamplona. We've planned it for next July and I'm determined it will go ahead!

 

I like the inertia switch idea - good one Richard. It is the last place people look when trying to figure out no-start situations. But, as TP says, still might be easy to tow.

I'd search hi/low for a garage. In my neck of the woods, there are retirement communities where people have since then stopped driving. They often have completely empty garages. Offer someone a token monthly fee to store the car.

 

Slash all four tires.

 

Along with slashing the tires, use non-permanent grease pens in various colors and completely "tag" the car in gang signs. It surely won't be stolen then.

 

LOL!!! That would work, except then the competing gang would come along and tag his house with Rustoleum!

Many years ago I had a friend (seriously, I had a friend!) who had a car he couldn't afford. He was upside down in it, he had a new baby, and he just couldn't make the payments. He parked the car on the street, left the keys in the ignition, and it sat there for TWO WEEKS. No one stole the thing! I told him he should put a "steal me" sign in the window. Then hurricane Fran came along. He left it parked at the beach and the storm surge flooded it.

 

Yeah, that is one small flaw in the tagging. Another one - if you got the gang signs wrong, the "residing" gang might view you are a threat to their turf. The car might become the least of your worries LOL.

The problem with leaving the keys in the ignition, if you really want it stolen that is, it is the classic bait car setup cops use to lure and capture car thieves. Some say the safest thing to do with a really nice car is leave it unlocked with the keys in the ignition.

 

Jeeesh.....On a serious note Keiron, sorry to hear bout your troubles....things are pretty bad for a lot of people at the moment.

Your car will already have a really good Immobiliser and Alarm set up so its extremely unlikely its gonna be stolen without a key, so personally I wouldn't be worrying too much!
I'd be more worried about keeping it in tip top condition while she's just sitting there....There's more than a few threads dedicated to "storing" cars for winter.....do a search and see what comes up.

I wish you all the best

 

Leave the hood open. That way they will think it is broken down and keep on moving.