The vin is stamped on the driver's A post.
If the door is welded shut for racing, which is probable, this is then invisible.
The metal VIN tag on the strut tower is easily removed.

However, to legally scrap a car, the metal merchant has to have proof of identity of the person presenting it (driving licence etc.), and the identifying marks need to be present on the car.Payment is only via bank transfer now as well, no cash.
Metal theft is a really big problem, from church roof lead to memorial plaques and of course, cherished old cars.

It seems the dodgier end of the metal recycling business needs closer scrutinising.
If thieves can't sell the car after racing it, that is a start.

We can conclude from this thread :
1/ 240s are easy to steal
2/ The Police are not viewing the theft of old cars as highest priority
3/If caught with stolen vehicles, the punishment is feeble at best..
4/The racing promoters and governing bodies could be more stringent with drivers who have stolen cars
5/ once a car is stripped out , it is ruined anyway.

Be aware. Immobilise it. Vary the parking patterns. Don't give up.
Old cars are fun, even if they need more looking after (in every sense)

It takes about 30 seconds to gain access to a locked 240. I won't give details. The steering lock is hard to break but if duplicate keys are obtained that ceases to be a problem. If the suspicion is that duplicate keys are being obtained through Volvo would it be worth contacting Volvo and making them aware of the problem and see if additional security measures could be taken before providing duplicate keys for the older cars?

Unfortunately once access to the car is obtained it is easy to load onto a lorry or trailer. Most banger racers seem to have a lorry with hiab and a strap through the windows will see it lifted in seconds.

It is all to easy to dispose of a car with no id. Just cut it into smaller sections and do not dispose of it all in one go and there is no problem getting rid of it. What you can't obtain is a certificate of destruction without the VIN plate.

About time 'banger racing' died out Id say.

If the Police give a poor service, complain to your elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The PCC is not in the pocket of the Force. On the contrary, the PCC's job is to hold the Force and Chief Constable to account, and because the PCC is elected for a fixed term, poor outcomes in the community (the electorate) matter and tend to be jumped on.

I suggest a fairly detailed complaint, with a summary to begin with, then the full detail of events, efforts made, police response (of lack of) and outcomes.

(If this is in London, the Mayor fulfils an equivalent role to the PCC elsewhere, so write to his office).

John

Also 740/940?
 

Hi folks
As a previous 240 owner (and 740 and now 940) and still an admirer of these cars, this is all very scary - seems to be confined to a particular area in the south, but no room for complacency elsewhere I suppose and not that that's any consolation to owners down there.

Just wondered if the same thing applies to the 740/940, or is it a particular liking for the 240 which these guys have with no real interest in the 740/940 ie is it a kind of status thing for them? Otherwise, I would have thought that especially some of the earlier 740s would be just as good on the banger track and just as easy to steal? (maybe not so much the later 700s and the 900s which have maybe more advanced security - my 940 has an immobiliser system which sometimes won't let me start the car - probably down to my ignorance rather than anything else!). In which case maybe the matter should also be flagged up on the 740/940 forum (and maybe others)?

To answer Paul's question, I've been in touch with a friend who has been assisting the owner of the stolen car.

Apparently 7/900s are not favoured, as their front ends are too weak. At the risk of making a controversial statement, I think there's some truth in that, based on hearing about a number of cases of wheel intrusion in 7/900 accidents, and looking at the comparative kerb weights (vs dimensions).

cheers

James

just wanted to say crook lock on with steering at full lock would make life slightly harder to put car on a trailer would'nt it

Every little thing to slow them up must be helpful.They would prefer an easy take than messing about with variouse locks and imobilisers.
Ultimately they will drag or crane or drive them away.With no thought for damage what so ever.

Brian.

There are numerous amateur deterrents you can fit to a car, that may or may not work, however, you have to consider the inadvertent triggering whilst in the car

All well and good, rigging car with flares, in every cavity, so car billows red smoke, if stolen, but should you lock keys in car, you're potentially shafted, or Mr AA man is :D

mobile phone style tracker wired up, and in the bodywork, is a start, however it will be found when they are stripping, so would potentially give small window of opportunity. Spark plug in petrol tank, coil wired to a silent alarm, hey you might not get your car back, but you can then go to the burns unit, and ask them why they tried to nick your car.