Car Stripping is a common theft, and the leading case comes from California in the US, followed by Texas.
One brutal fact of modern life is that about everyone wants to steal your vehicle.
They know that stealing a whole car as it is can be quite risky, so they move their efforts to strip it of its parts which is more accessible.
Some skilled thieves can strip the most valuable car parts in under thirty minutes, as per the data from NHTSA, National highway authority.
What Does Stripped Mean in Cars?
Removal of useful parts from your car and reselling it later down the road. It is also a crime where many thieves commit car stripping and sell the parts at very costly prices.
PS – The most precious parts can be your fancy customized tires or the custom engine along with hi-fi seats.
Prevention from car stripping and other thefts:
A car is like our family only; we use it to commute to our business place, and with our family, and leave the kids to their school.
A real problem can occur if we lose them because even if you have full insurance, it is not going to help you.
So, follow these steps to stay safe –
- Interestingly, more than 50 % of car thefts were due to people leaving their vehicles unlocked or forgetting their keys inside.
- VIN etching is necessary and saves you because the vehicle identification number makes the issue of car stripping complicated.
- Never leave the extra keys or another set of keys in your vehicle.
- Try to park in those areas where there is enough light and high-foot traffic as well because even thieves hate the crowded areas.
- Never leave your car with its window half rolled only, even at your home garage.
- Another tip will be to not leave your vehicles unattended, like warming up while you go to the ATM or gas pumps.
- Never make your vehicle too much desirable for the thieves by not leaving any valuables inside.
The top parts that thieve love to strip off from your vehicle:
- Air Bags – As per recent data from the National insurance crime bureau, more than 50K bags+ get missing each year, having a value of more than $50mn.
- You can protect them by having a steering lock, and during replacement, only buy from a certified dealer.
- In-Car infotainment like navigation systems can have after the price of thousands of dollars to cover it up before leaving your vehicle alone.
- Tires are easy to remove with just a few basic tools and provide a good resale value.
- A circular wheel lock can prevent this from happening but is not a practical solution because you cannot drive without unlocking them.
Normal wear Vs. actual damage:
We often need to strip not for theft purposes but for normal wear and tear.
And how do you judge whether the used part or car you are buying has normal wear and tear or is deliberately damaged?
- Seat – See for any small stains, and those are due to normal aging, but mud-caked seats or cigarette holes are deal-breakers.
- Some normal debris on the dashboard is quite normal but burn marks, or deliberate cuts are not normal.
- Tiny scratches on the roof and floor are okay, but just like seats, if you see mud-cake flooring or holes and cuts, do not go ahead.
- Any dents on the main body of the vehicle that you can treat for under $100 are normal, but more than this means a deal-breaker.
Some other questions,
Related Questions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Q1.) What is the meaning of a stripped as its Copart?
Answer: If any vehicle parts are missing and cannot be located, we say they have been stripped off apart.
For instance, a stripped roof which has damage to it and is visible to us.
Q2.) What is the general meaning of stripping?
Answer: Some general meanings as per the dictionary of this word are deprive anything of its covering.
For instance, I stripped an apple’s skin.
Or you are stripping a wire with a plier.
Q3.) How can we define normal car damage and wear?
Answer: The normal wear and tears range from small scratches to bigger dents and everything that comes in between.
Normally, the dents are smaller than an inch, or similar cracks on the chrome grill all come under this.
Lastly, if the bent bumpers and chrome grill have both been damaged, we call it excessive damage.
Q4.) Is there any difference between striped and stripped?
Answer: Yes!
Striped means some distinctive bands like zebra body has; stripped means to devour off something.
Q5.) Why do the car thieves do all the arduous work and strip cars?
Answer: They do all the arduous work in doing so because these parts can alone be of more worth than the whole vehicle itself in the black market.
Brett assessed this himself, who is a leading Berkley’s country attorney.
Q6.) In how much time, on average, a car thief can strip open a car?
Answer: Surprisingly enough, but just under half an hour.
The data comes from nothing but the NHTSA or the National highway traffic safety authority and admin that a skilled car thief can strip all major components of your vehicle in less than thirty minutes!
They can then sell these parts to two to four times value easily.
Q7.) What is the major reason that thieves strip an individual’s vehicle?
Answer: As per the educational data from pop enter, there are no more than three reasons for this.
- For their use and enjoyment purpose, or using in some other crime.
- Car stripping, to sell the car parts at higher resale values.
- Re-sell in the disguise of a proper car at some other place.
Q8.) Should I buy a vehicle if it has some scratches?
Answer: First, let us face-off with the truth, and that is if you want to be a car owner, these dents and scratches will come with it always.
So, prepare yourself to be seeing some of them even if it is not too old or new.
Lastly, if the situation is bad, then we need to look at some alternatives or give a low price for it.
Q9.) Can the price of a car be affected if it has some dents?
Answer: If the dents are archaic, small, you will not gain any value if you repair them on an average vehicle.
It is better to change your mindset that such problems will occur and begin to co-exist with them.
Q10.) How do you differentiate between some wear and tear versus some actual damage?
Answer: Easy!
Normal wear and tear automatically take place as we use a vehicle repeatedly.
However, deliberately done damage is not due to natural aging at all. It is more of a negligence issue.
Q11.) Why are the flood cars more dangerous than you think?
Answer: A flood-damaged car will have several issues like the car’s electrical system shortening due to moisture and safety features compromised as well.
The cars also provide a breeding ground for mildews and mold.
These can trigger other health issues.
Q12.) How are a line and stripe different?
Answer: A line is simply a path that passes through a certain number of points, and a stripe is simply a continuous band of a single color like in zebras.
Q13.) What are the most profitable parts for the thieves to resell?
Answer: The parts they love are high-end seats, custom wheels, engines.
Then they sell these costly parts and earn lots of free money.
Q14.) Where do we see the greatest number of motor vehicle thefts in the US?
Answer: California!
We see 168, 325 + vehicles get missing from there and around 84K + from Texas.
Q15.) How can a thief take your keyless car?
Answer: Thieves are smarter than we think.
They can capture the car by simply standing near the house of the victim who is using that device.
Q16.) What are some items best avoidable that can damage your car’s paint?
Answer: Tree Sap, brake fluid, coffee or soda in the car, bugs, or ash.
Park carefully and not under a tree to avoid damage from tree sap or bird poop in general.
Final Verdict:
Car stripping, in general, is the act of removal of all or most important car parts and accessories, leaving it bare.
It is a crime also, and California, US leads in the country for most types of vehicle thefts annually, followed by Texas.
Car stripping is easier and more accessible for criminals as it is less risky than stealing a whole car.
As per the data from the national highway authority, a skilled thief alone can-do car stripping in under thirty minutes.
It is beneficial to them as well because they sell the parts for a higher cost than their counterparts as well.
The most sought-after parts stripped are the batteries, airbags, tires, and infotainment systems.
Lastly, you must follow preventive measures like not leaving the key within the car or parking only in safe places.
Thanks For Reading!