DataDot

Be more organised than car thieves - Cape Argus July 18, 2009

About 90 000 vehicles are stolen every year in South Africa but the recovery rate is only 43 percent, so it is clear that organised crime is behind most vehicle theft and hijacking in this country, says Business Against Crime.

"Professional thieves and robbers are in this business to make money and not to take the vehicle for a joyride," says Fouché Burgers in a report for the SA Insurance Association profiling "wanted" vehicles.

The report notes that mostly older vehicles - aged between seven and 21 years - are stolen, while vehicles aged between one to four years are hijacked. In 2007, the average age of a stolen vehicle was 12 years, and of a robbed vehicle seven years.

Sedans are the most frequent target, although mini-buses and pick-ups are at a much higher risk of being stolen or hijacked than any other type. The risk of robbery for mini-buses is the highest.

Other factors influencing the risk profile of vehicles include market volumes, intended market and geographical area where the vehicle is used.

Popular makes in an affordable price range with a high market volume are high-risk in all age groups and classes.

Security and anti-theft devices play a major role. Cheaper vehicles fitted with low-level anti-theft devices or none at all usually have very high theft rates, regardless of their age.

A sophisticated anti-theft device that cannot be defeated at the roadside might lead to a higher risk for hijackings, especially if it is a high-performance vehicle.

Most stolen vehicles are intended for the local market. To be able to sell them here, the original identity of the vehicle must be changed or concealed. The easier it is to remove or conceal a vehicle's identity, the more desirable it is to criminals.

For professional thieves, the fact that more and more new vehicles are micro-dotted - an identification system that involves applying 10 000 dots all over the vehicle, each bearing the vehicle's identification number - means increased risk and a higher cost of doing business.

Burgers has provided the following general guidelines for anyone buying a vehicle:

Never buy an unlicensed vehicle, or one without the registration certificate. Make sure the information - especially the vehicle identity number, engine number, make, model and colour - on both corresponds and is the same. Also, spelling mistakes on the certificate suggest the likelihood of a fraudulent transaction.

Ensure that the vehicle has a good-quality security device installed. Any Vesa-accredited fitment centre will check the system. If you have not complied with your insurance requirements for vehicle security, in the event of a claim, you may have to pay additional excesses or even have your claim repudiated. If your policy states "Vesa-approved security system" and you do not have a valid Vesa certificate, you could be in for a nasty surprise. Ask your broker for more information, or visit www.vesa.co.za

Even cheaper and used vehicles can benefit from being fitted with a tracking device, supplied by a reputable firm. More than 75 percent of all stolen or hijacked vehicles fitted with recovery devices are retrieved by reputable tracking companies.

Micro-dotting is strongly recommended. If you are shopping for a new vehicle, insist that it is micro-dotted. For more information visit www.datadot.co.za

Go online to verify the vehicle's information at TransUnion Auto Information Solutions. Log on to www.myautoinfo.co.za for an Auto Check report for R92.

Buy from reputable dealers who are members of organisations like the Retail Motor Industry or the Independent Dealers Association.

Ask the Automobile Association or a trusted mechanic to do a mechanical check on used vehicles before paying for them. At the same time ask the AA to check the stamped VIN and engine numbers for any changes.

If you're in doubt, walk away. - Cape Argus