I met a guy yesterday who had just had his Ford Focus broken into. I commiserated, not least because I have had my FF broken into twice in the last year. The guy from Autoglass said that its quite a common experience for FFs - he knew a woman who had had hers done four times. In addition, when i had it done a second time, the Autoglass men said that they reapir a lot of FFs with the same problem.

Being something of a statistician, I think there is a logical explanation for this:

Firstly, there are a lot of FFs on the road, so the number of break ins may be proportional to the number of vehicles;

Secondly, for some reason, the FFs don't have alarms as standard (not even the Ghia models);

Thirdly, the FFs have good quality stereo equipment, worth at least £350 (although they have removeable facias, its a nuisance to keep removing it every time you leave the car);

My advice to anyone with an FF is to get an alarm fitted and also make a habit of removing the facia - it could save you a lot of money in the long run.

A relative of mine had hers broken into for the stereo, and when she reported it the police they told her that six had been done in Beighton the same night....and if you think taking the facia out works foget it they still break in just to see if it's been left in the glove box, but at least you save the radio :(

Had mine done at 4pm (broad daylight) in front of the house within minutes of us being sat in the garden.

I've been told that the removable security sticks/facias are commonly available and interchangable.

Keeping my fingers crossed here!! But my FF hasn't yet been broken into, though I did catch someone trying to get in the back door of my house at 4am last year.
I stupidly had left the car keys visible on the kitchen table, that hasn't happened since!! :rolleyes:

yep the fascia bits are interhaneable and the cd head units from fords are worth a fair bit. Your better off taking itout urself, ebaying it, and with the proceeds fit a proper face off stereoand put a good deposit down on an alarm!

Alarms are not always the answer, most people ignore it when car alarms go off - I know I do, all they do is annoy everyone in the vicinity. In fact in some states of America and some places in Europe I believe they are beginning to ban them totally!

As for a solution other than a car alarm I'm a bit stumped. Anyone any other ideas?

I used to share your view on alarms, which is why I did not have one fitted until recently. However, I think they are likely to have a deterrent effect (if there are two cars side by side, one with an alarm and one without, its likely that the burglar will go for the latter).

Also, I think the latest model alarms are much better than earlier models with regard to false alarms. The one I have had fitted is very well behaved.

I've got a Focus, fitted it with an alarm, straight away, but i tend to leave the radio thing in cos it's such a pain.

Was thinking of getting a new stereo just so i don't have to keep taking it in and out everytime. May well do that now.

How much can i expect to get if i sell the ford radio and cd player?

It's a ghia saloon, (if that makes a difference?)

Originally posted by LordChaverly


Thirdly, the FFs have good quality stereo equipment, worth at least £350 (although they have removeable facias, its a nuisance to keep removing it every time you leave the car);



There going for about £70 on ebay, just looked.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=75320&item=5746916532&rd=1

Originally posted by torin8
In fact in some states of America and some places in Europe I believe they are beginning to ban them totally!

Now, I'm not really sure that's a valid arguement! In some states of America it's illegal to drink alcohol.

Ford dropped a clanger when they made it so that all facias work on other stereos.

Originally posted by oasismark
There going for about £70 on ebay, just looked.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=75320&item=5746916532&rd=1

They are probably nicked from FF owners

Originally posted by oasismark
I've got a Focus, fitted it with an alarm, straight away, but i tend to leave the radio thing in cos it's such a pain.

Was thinking of getting a new stereo just so i don't have to keep taking it in and out everytime. May well do that now.

How much can i expect to get if i sell the ford radio and cd player?

It's a ghia saloon, (if that makes a difference?)

Check your insurance too in case you lose the facia! The company I used to work for didn't cover loss of it on the car insurance, which is fair enough; however, it was also an exclusion on the personal posessions away from home section of contents insurance as it was classified as 'car parts'!

K x

My wife had the front fog lights stolen from her Focus last year. I still haven't got round to replacing them, thinking that they will be back for the new ones. I've also heard that Focus's are being targeted for their airbags.

Iv had my FF two years it came with alarm as standard.
No breakins yet (touch wooden computer desk) but Birminghams not the best area to drive round never mind park up.
The thing here is car jacking so you have to drive with all your doors locked, I never had to do that in Sheff.

....and if u have th RS focus, say goodbye to ur bumpers!

Not to mention air bags. They are high up on the list also.

Originally posted by Lickszz
Not to mention air bags. They are high up on the list also.

:confused: How do you steal an air bag? :confused: Why? :confused:

Oops, just lost my 'Scouser' status :D

I don't know exactly how, I'm not a thief, but I have been told it's quick and easy.

Why - because there must be a market for them and they must be able to sell them on at a decent price.