Classic cars are the pride and joy of many car fanatics which makes it even more heart – breaking when thieves manage to get their hands on them. Older cars can be expensive to maintain as it’s harder to find parts, the right mechanics and cheap classic car insurance but it will be even more expensive if you don’t take the right precautions to prevent them from getting stolen.

Criminals love classic cars but there are plenty of things you can do to keep them safe and secure. Starting with the most obvious and easiest solution is to think about where you are storing your vehicle. Keeping it out of the sight of prying eyes and locking it in a secure garage is your best bet as nobody will be able to see it or get to it. Obviously make sure that you can lock the garage but also try to ensure that it’s well lit so even if somebody does know what’s in there, they will be deterred by the fact that they may be easily spotted.  

If you have to store your classic car on the driveway or parked on the road then try and make it as unappealing as possible. Make sure the surrounding area is well – lit with lots of other cars around if possible as this means there is more chance of someone going out to their car and scaring any potential thieves away.

Old cars tend to have pretty basic and weak locks unless they’ve been modified by a previous owner or yourself. Clever car thieves are very much aware of this which means your Classic is at high risk so it can be harder to find cheap classic car insurance. If possible get the locks changed so they’re more secure or install a security system and make sure this is obvious through stickers to deter thieves from even attempting to break in.

Car alarms are also ideal because you can’t be by your car all day every day so you can have peace of mind knowing that you will be alerted to your car immediately if someone tries to take it. However, some alterations may be required as older cars can have different systems from modern ones.In some older cars you can just remove the rotor arm and it is highly unlikely a thief will be carrying this with them making it virtually impossible to steal your car. However, ignition cut – off switches installed and hidden somewhere in, on or under your car can be found by thieves if they have the time and are desperate enough.

There are services such as Stolen Vehicle Location and Recovery Assistance which are available through your car’s manufacturer. These companies can track and locate your vehicle while communicating with the police to try and find it quickly and easily. This means that even if your car is stolen you are more likely to recover it. As long as you follow the usual precautions and follow basic common sense like not leaving your car in a known dodgy area, your classic car should be safe. However, if you are unlucky enough to have it stolen make sure you contact the police as soon as possible because the longer your car is gone for the more chance thieves have of removing tracking devises and getting away with it. Also make sure you have cheap classic car insurance as you will definitely be needing it if your vehicle goes missing.