Tale of Woe - Word of Warning

Here's a little tale of woe to those of you that maybe take your car off the road for the winter, or doing some long term work on your car.

As some of you may know, I have (had!) a beloved Citroen BX 16v. Not to all of your taste, but it suited me, fast economical and somewhat of a Q car. I've owned it over 4 years, and have fettled and improved it over that time.

This year I could finally take it off the road for the winter. I put an SORN on it, parked it up off the road and out of the way, and started it it once a fortnight, giving the suspension a bit of a work out each time.

On Monday, a 7.5 ton flat bed with a hiab drove up the road, smashed the front windows, put a chain through and lifted by the roof on top of a Polo on the back, crushed the car down with the hiab to keep it on, and drove off.

I know this because a neighbour stood and watched it happen.... "I thought it was the insurance company come to collect it" ......... Why? has there been an accident? And she didn't take the reg no either.

I've checked the Council, and the DVLA and reported the theft to the Police, no official body took it. But the Police have had reports of this sort of thing happening and the driver claiming he's from the Council and it's going for crushing because it's untaxed. I can't find it anywhere, and to be honest, I'm not sure that I want to see it again.

I'm gutted, swinging between feeling very sorry for myself and utter rage.

Just watch anything that may be sitting near the road untaxed, there was nothing wrong with the car, no damage or even dirt.

Reply to
r
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What he said. Comisserations mate :(

That BANG out of order that is though..../runs to check tax in 405/.

Reply to
Dan405

Thanks Guys I really don't want to know now who took it. Took me years to shake off an explosively violent temper, and I'm a big bloke. I'd end up in prison, or facing retaliation. Sometimes it's best to feel sorry for myself, and ask myself if I really want a car that I like. Must be my age.

Reply to
r

Wow sorry to hear about this. Ive posted this on another fourm after a neighbour spotted an 'official' walk round taking photos of somone elses car.

Ed

Reply to
Ed

Hey, no offence, but it's clearly not going to be just your car.

If you find who it is, then they can be stopped from doing the same to other people. At least a BX16v is replaceable - just - for under a couple of grand. What if they lift an SM or something?

Don't get your car back. Do make the effort to find out where it's gone. At the very least, let someone on the group know where you are and some details of your car, and if they're nearby, they can find out where it's gone and contact the police for you.

I'll bet the Polo on the back wasn't theirs to take either.

I do feel incredibly sorry for you. My Sera isn't taxed at the moment, and just cost me nearly £2K in repairs. If it was taken that way, I'd be absolutely gutted. BXs are not common anymore, and I think the person taking it must have either assumed it was a diesel, or had someone for the 16v engine - I can think of /no/ other reason to do it, since a common or garden BX GTi, 4x4 or lesser model simply isn't worth anything.

Just as an aside - Fire and Theft insurance is available for many classic cars, and costs around £20-40 IIRC, with agreed value as an option. If you're taking the car off the road for a period and it's uninsured, it's well worth it.

Well done if you've got the inner calm not to totally lose your rag, but you've been seriously wronged. There's nothing wrong with going after the scum that did it, especially if you use your brains instead of your fists ;)

Richard

Reply to
Richard Kilpatrick

Good words Richard, and I won't hold back anything I know, one guy I spoke to was very sympathetic and even rang back for more information, I have his name and had intended to keep him informed, I really mean't my own involvement.

Reply to
r

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