Urgent warning to motorists about common wing mirror failures that could cost you thousands

DRIVERS have been urgently warned of a common wing mirror failure that could cost thousands.

Accidentally leaving out the wing mirrors has been found to be the most common way for thieves to spot an open car.

2

Britons convicted of stealing from cars spoke to university researchers to explain how they are making a name for themselves.

They revealed that the best targets are drivers whose cars haven’t been banned at all.

And one telltale sign a car hasn’t been locked is its wing mirrors, which have been revealed.

The mirrors fold automatically when most modern cars are locked. If the wing mirror on a modern car is off and no one is inside, it likely means the owner forgot to lock it.

Former police officer Kevin Floyd, a criminologist at Huddersfield University, told the telegraph: “In the thief’s mind, open exterior mirrors correspond to an open door. It’s that simple. It’s a green flag.

“It’s as easy as walking on the street.

“You don’t want to try the doors because they’re so sensitive that they set off an alarm – but if the mirrors are open then that’s confirmation that the car is unlocked and no alarm goes off.”

Jack Cousens, head of road transport policy at the AA, said: “Looking for modern cars without the wing mirrors folded in is a pretty cheeky trick for thieves.

“Sometimes the simplest is the biggest giveaway.

“Whereas exterior mirrors only take a backseat for passers-by and car owners, open mirrors must be like a thorn in the side of criminals.

“As if that wasn’t enough, drivers often just press the buttons on the key fob and trust the ether that their car is locked.

“However, thieves have now gotten their hands on signal-blocking technology that allows them to intercept the request from the key, meaning drivers unknowingly run off and leave the car unlocked.

“Waiting five more seconds to check the mirrors and handle is all it takes to ensure the car is locked before walking away.”

Jenny Sims, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s autocrime expert, told The Telegraph that figures from the Office for National Statistics had found an alarming 22 percent increase in vehicle thefts.

Last year, car thefts increased from about 90,000 to almost 110,000, which is about 300 a day.

Britain’s worst areas for car theft were revealed in a recent study, with London dominating the rankings.

In fact, nearly 10 percent of all crimes recorded in the capital involve a vehicle.

Jenny said: “Locking your vehicle, even if you’re refueling or parking in your driveway, greatly reduces the likelihood that it will be attacked by a casual thief.

“Even if you’ve locked your vehicle, make sure you haven’t left any windows or the sunroof open.

“Keep your keys safe, out of sight at home and away from your front door.”

Don’t make these road rule mistakes

While it can cost you a fortune to ditch your wing mirrors, there are plenty of other driving mistakes that can land you in hot water.

Tailgating

Tailgating is one of the most common problems where drivers pass too close to the front end.

This error leads to numerous accidents, especially when the vehicle in front brakes quickly, leaving the vehicle behind with little time to react.

If drivers are caught tailgating, they can face a fine of up to £100 and three penalty points.

Remember to show off

Not using your turn signals can fall under ‘careless driving’ and be one of the most damaging driving mistakes.

This offense is punishable by a fine of up to £5,000 and up to nine penalty points on your driving licence.

Repair your wiper blades

Driving with dull or broken wiper blades is considered to be driving in a dangerous condition.

This is especially dangerous when you need to clean your windshield, which can obscure your view of the road.

Driving with broken wiper blades can result in motorists being fined up to £2,500 and slapped with three penalty points.

2