As South Africans continue to deal with vehicle hijackings, insurance company MiWay says there is high demand for affordable, readily available car parts on the black market.
MiWay said vehicle tracking company Cartrack has noted that the theft of car components has become more widespread than the theft of entire vehicles.
Cartrack said it has heard many stories of vehicles being stolen and then later being found completely stripped. “Most of the time, when a vehicle is stolen, it isn’t to resell it but rather to strip it for its parts. Stripping vehicles for their valuable parts as opposed to the entire thing, which can be more lucrative than selling the entire vehicle, has led to an increase in the number of chop shops.”
MiWay said the demand is driving this trend as these parts are easier to conceal and harder to trace than whole cars.
Siyakha Masiye, spokesperson for MiWay, said despite motorists adopting numerous safety measures, such as installing multiple tracking devices, parking in well-lit areas, and practising increased vigilance, carjackers are becoming more sophisticated.
He said internal data highlights that the most frequently stolen accessories include car wheels, wheel caps, car batteries, sound equipment, vehicle mirrors, and headlights.
“Air bags, batteries, tailgates, wheels, and tyres are among the most stolen parts. These pieces are easier to hide and harder to trace. In fact, chop shops dealing in stolen car parts have an estimated trade value of about R442 million,” he said.
Masiye added that this makes reselling car parts lucrative and less traceable than reselling stolen vehicles. “Even car mechanics have been involved in this unlawful practice, sometimes replacing parts with faulty, cheaper ones during repairs.”
In South Africa, Masiye said the rise in vehicle hijackings and the associated increase in road crimes highlight the importance of having comprehensive cover for your vehicle, as it provides financial protection against theft and helps cover repair costs from break-in damage or accidents following attempted car theft.
He advised that this type of insurance can also assist in replacing stolen or damaged vehicle parts, such as a missing battery or headlights, which can be a costly repair out of pocket, without insurance.
“When purchasing car insurance, it is crucial to specify any additional features your vehicle may have, such as mag wheels, music systems, sunroofs, roof racks and whether or not you have a tracker. These enhancements increase the overall value of your car and the associated risk, which ultimately affects your monthly premiums. But the cost of cover significantly outweighs the cost of having to deal with theft or repairs without it,” said Masiye.
Masiye warned that failing to declare these features means your car will be insured for a value that excludes them, and they are unlikely to be covered in the event of a claim.
“Comprehensive insurance, therefore, not only protects the basic vehicle, but also ensures that all custom additions and enhancements if specified are adequately covered, providing peace of mind in the face of growing criminal activities targeting motorists,” he said.
MiWay lists precautions for vehicle owners to consider to protect vehicle accessories from thieves:
- Equip your wheels with lock nuts.
- Reinforce your battery bracket.
- Always park in busy, visible, and well-lit areas.
- Double-check that your vehicle is locked when you leave it.
- Keep valuables out of sight.
- Avoid driving through high-risk areas and known hijacking hot spots.
- Never connect to unfamiliar wi-fi networks from your car.
- Stay vigilant and do not be lured out of your car for any reason.
- Install a GPS tracker so your vehicle can be located if stolen or hijacked.
The Mercury