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Theft of Spare Parts, a Growing Scourge

·4 mins
Car Motorcycle Security News

Complicated to drive … without wheels! And yet, many drivers find their vehicles without these essential parts.

Indeed, the theft of spare parts from cars and motorcycles is on the rise. According to a study by the Ministry of the Interior, thefts of automotive accessories and components increased by 30% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This phenomenon is particularly linked to the scarcity of certain parts, the rise in prices, and the ease of resale on the black market.

Certain parts are particularly targeted because they contain precious materials or are in high demand for automotive maintenance. Faced with this growing threat, how can you effectively protect your vehicle?

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Theft of Spare Parts: What is the Situation?
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The theft of car and motorcycle parts is a growing problem, with alarming figures. While 140,000 vehicle thefts were reported in 2023 according to Argos, spare parts are not left out! More than 80,000 thefts of parts and accessories were recorded in France over the year. A rising figure that does not bode well for motorists and bikers…

It is estimated that 1 in 10 vehicles is targeted by component theft each year. On the international trafficking side, there is an increase, particularly towards Africa and Eastern Europe.

Spare parts: How at risk am I of being robbed?
Many vehicles had their wheels removed during 2024

What are the Most Stolen Spare Parts?
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Certain parts are particularly coveted by thieves due to their ease of removal and high resale value. These parts are often resold as used parts or shipped abroad.

Ranking of the Most Targeted Parts
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Spare Part Why is it stolen? Resale Price
Catalytic Converter Contains palladium and rhodium, precious metals 500 to 1000 €
Steering Wheels and Airbags Expensive and essential systems 300 to 800 €
Headlights and Mirrors Highly demanded for repairs 100 to 500 €
Rims and Tires Easy to remove and high value 200 to 800 €
Multimedia Systems Integrated GPS and screens 300 to 1500 €
Electric Car Batteries Scarcity and very high price 1000 to 4000 €
ADAS Sensors and Cameras Increasingly common and expensive technology 500 to 2000 €

Why are These Parts So Coveted?
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Beyond the financial aspect - some parts are resold at a premium on second-hand sites - the theft of spare parts is motivated by several factors:

  • Ease of removal: some parts can be extracted in a few minutes.
  • Difficulty of traceability: absence of serial numbers on many components.
  • Explosion of demand for used parts: the price of new parts has increased by 15% on average since 2022.
  • Low legal risk for receivers, who take advantage of the lack of strict regulation on certain online sales.

How to Protect Your Vehicle?
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Faced with this threat, several solutions exist to limit the risk of theft. For example, favor:

  • Parking in monitored places, especially parking lots with cameras.
  • Installation of sound alarms that can scare off thieves before they even start their theft.
  • Use of anti-theft nuts for rims.
  • Marking of the most sensitive parts with serial numbers.
  • Strong attachment points for motorcycles and the multiplication of anti-theft devices on the most at-risk parts.

The GPS Tracker: A Preventive Solution That Can Prevent Theft
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GPS trackers have already proven effective in dealing with vehicle thefts, with a recovery rate multiplied by at least 2*, for both cars and motorcycles. But it can also be an ally to prevent the theft of a spare part.

With anti-theft alerts and the detection of suspicious movement and changes in inclination, Invoxia GPS trackers notify you as soon as someone gets a little too close to your vehicle. This allows you to act immediately and scare off thieves, who hope to take your parts discreetly!

invoxia product

Theft of Spare Parts: What to Do if It Happens to Me?
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If you are a victim of spare parts theft, the first reflex is, of course, to file a complaint. An investigation will be opened, and you can claim your insurance. Provide them with as many details as possible, especially the serial number of the part if it is marked.

You should also keep an eye on resale platforms: with a bit of luck, you will see your own spare parts and accessories on sites like Leboncoin or eBay.

If despite all this, you do not recover your parts, consider engraving their replacements to limit future thefts.

The theft of spare parts has become a real scourge, fueled by rising prices and growing demand in the second-hand market. Protecting your vehicle, therefore, involves a combination of prevention, anti-theft equipment like alarms or GPS trackers, and increased vigilance.

*Study conducted by Invoxia in September 2023.

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