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ajctraveler



Member Since: 08 Oct 2012
Location: Everywhere
Posts: 97

United States 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
Is this only a major problem in England and the UK?
I can't help but be bothered by the frequency with which people seem to pick up used Defenders for free in these parts.

My question is whether Defenders are prime targets only here in England or if it's something that happens on continental Europe and the rest of the world as well? From the sound of things I would assume that there are some specialist thieves here who have a ton of experience with Defenders, which I can't imagine is the case anywhere else in the world. What are your all's thoughts?

Either way, once my 110 is finished being built I'm out of the UK like a bullet. Whistle My Travel Page
Post #186546 20th Nov 2012 8:13am
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Eduardo



Member Since: 28 Aug 2008
Location: Región Metropolitana
Posts: 2110

Chile 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Stornoway Grey
At least not in Chile. I remember only one defender stolen in almost 5 years.
Probably because here are not quite common and the bulglars dont like to be the center of attraction.

cheeer! Eduardo

MY 2007 110 SW PUMA 2.4: Big Fog of 64'
MY 1994 Jayco 1207 Folding camper: "El Tremendo"

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Post #186562 20th Nov 2012 11:06am
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udderlyoffroad



Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Bristol
Posts: 124

United Kingdom 
Sorry, but I hereby accuse you of rose-tinted spectacles syndrome. In the nicest possible way. Cool

Crime, especially car crime, happens everywhere. Even in countries with higher living standards / lower crime rate /lower perceived crime rates like, say, Switzerland or Norway, just to pick an example. It’s just people choose to not see it, especially when they are visiting these places on holiday, or more seriously, doing research on possible destinations to emigrate to.

True, in general the Defender is less of a target because of its comparative rarity and shall we say niche desirability. The relative ease with which one can steal said vehicle is almost irrelevant.

IMHO, the perceived nickability of Defender is not a reason to make me want to emigrate* or otherwise travel. Frankly, now that even ‘Countryfile’ is running stories on how easy it is to steal a Defender, anyone who doesn’t take multiple precautions is, basically, asking to be made a target. That’s not to say that is right, or that they deserve it, but that’s the reality of the situation.

*There are plenty of others: Lack of freedom of speech, lack of space, work/life balance, lack of spaces in which to actually use my truck, inability to defend oneself from intruders, taxes not remotely based ones ability to pay (council, BBC)…. Real trucks don't have spark plugs
Post #186588 20th Nov 2012 12:58pm
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davew



Member Since: 02 Jan 2012
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 888

England 1990 Defender 90 V8 Petrol PU Auto Rioja Red
I've never seen any figures myself but it would be really interesting to know what the percentage of thefts is rather than just the hard numbers. There are so many Defenders on the road, due to their life span as much as anything, it makes me wonder how many thefts occur as a percentage of the number of vehicles on the road.

On the list that was published recently nearly all the other vehicles on the list were high end luxury vehicles and I doubt very much that there are anywhere near the number of those on the road as there are Defenders because most of them have a relatively short life span.

Not that there is any reason to be complacent, it's that life span that makes Defenders so desirable to the scum in the first place - a large, ready market for second hand parts. Anything you can do to make life difficult for them is worth doing. http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/
Post #186593 20th Nov 2012 1:17pm
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ericvv



Member Since: 02 Jun 2011
Location: Near the Jet d'Eau
Posts: 5816

Switzerland 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
I live in Switzerland, in the greater Geneva area, and even if Defender theft indeed is absolutely rare or non existant here, my car tonight is parked with the below standard gear which some say is overkill, but I say..... better safe than sorry Thumbs Up

Click image to enlarge
 You never actually own a Defender. You merely look after it for the next generation.
http://youtu.be/yVRlSsJwD0o
https://youtu.be/vmPr3oTHndg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GtzTT9Pdl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABqKPz28e6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLZ49Jce_n0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsz_ilQYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8tMHiX9lSw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dxwjPuHIV7I
https://vimeo.com/201482507
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSixqL0iyHw
Post #186652 20th Nov 2012 6:08pm
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LR90XS2011



Member Since: 05 Apr 2011
Location: bickenhill
Posts: 3641

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Galway Green
they will still nick that gear stick! it would pay for a return trip to the uk and a good hotel DEFENDER 90 TDCI XS,

I hope everyone is well and your land rovers make you happy
Post #186657 20th Nov 2012 6:23pm
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john adam



Member Since: 01 Sep 2010
Location: Paris
Posts: 77

France 2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SW Keswick Green
My1989 defender 90 was stolen in Paris in july 2003. It was not in good shape. However judging from the numer of defenders parked in the street at nigth, it is not a major issue here.
Carlo 1971 88 Series IIA somewhere in Southern Italy
1989 Ninety stolen in Paris
2004 90 TD5 gone
2010 110 S Puma TDCI running
Post #186727 20th Nov 2012 9:00pm
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