Volvo 480 Club Europe

Hi there,

Last night my Volvo 480 was stolen from Clifton, Bristol. I'm absolutely gutted and though I would post here in case any one ends up spotting it anywhere.

It's metallic silver, registration no. K265 AND.

Some photos here

I'd just found another and was using it to fix up the one that was stolen which adds to the salty feeling.

Hopefully it will turn up but I'm not holding out much hope!

I am very sorry to hear this. I thought 480's didn't get stolen much, and I hope this is a rare occurrence.

while there is not help, as I am in a different area, I really hope you find your car.

I am in solidarity with you, Good Luck

Very sorry to hear someone stole your car!
Not sure why anyone would steal a car in need of restoration, but then again, that is what I thought when someone stole my very rusty Opel Kadett (known in RHD guise as Vauxhall Astra) back in 1996. It was found less than 10 miles from my home with an empty fuel tank. That'll teach 'em, I was unemployed at the time and had no money for filling up.

Gamboge wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 30, 2019 7:05 pm

Hi there,

Last night my Volvo 480 was stolen from Clifton, Bristol. I'm absolutely gutted and though I would post here in case any one ends up spotting it anywhere.

It's metallic silver, registration no. K265 AND.

Some photos here

I'd just found another and was using it to fix up the one that was stolen which adds to the salty feeling.

Hopefully it will turn up but I'm not holding out much hope!

you'd think ANPR might help, but if it was 'fully legit' then won't flag, but it might now?

sadly it might just been nicked to save a TAXI fare

our father in laws ford escort van was nicked and appeared 80 miles away three or four weeks later (next to us) and the DVLA / police had audacity to send him a ticket cos it was on double yellows . . .. . .
after the insurance company had paid out , so we got ALL his belongings out of teh van, including stereo from van and his 'ghetto blaster'

hope it turns up in 'not too bad state' BUT probably with trashed ignition etc

Thank you everyone for the replies and support! Really touched that so many people across here and Facebook have responded so kindly.

I was surprised myself that it was targeted and sadly I'm still none the wiser about what happened. Hopefully it turns up in reasonable condition. I would hate to think that there's one less 480 in the world!

If I do hear anything I will be sure to post an update.

Any news?

Norm57 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 04, 2019 3:50 pm

Any news?

Hey - sorry for the late response!

Sadly the news is that the car is a write-off. I found out towards the end of last week that it was torched by the thieves (annoyingly not from the police who never got I touch). I've now got some photos of the damage/ destruction and I've added them to the above album, but it's not a pretty sight!

It's a real shame but I guess it is what it is. Thanks again everyone and sorry I couldn't return with happier news!

I am really really sorry to hear this news and see the awful pictures. As prices have risen considerably recently, could you get a higher market value for it than you paid? Replacement similar looking car on eBay of £2k-ish in very condition. ‎

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=36009

sadly the end we'd probably dreaded

i'd string them up by their privates

Alan 480 wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 11:43 am

sadly the end we'd probably dreaded

i'd string them up by their privates

After setting fire to them first!!

jamescarruthers wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:57 pm

I am really really sorry to hear this news and see the awful pictures. As prices have risen considerably recently, could you get a higher market value for it than you paid? Replacement similar looking car on eBay of £2k-ish in very condition. ‎

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=36009

Thanks James. That example you posted looks incredible!

I've really no Idea where I stand in terms of value from the insurer. I expect they are likely to low ball. In my favour is the very low mileage for it's age (around 68k if I remember correctly), but other than that in their eyes its value is probably minimal.

One thing I will say is that I received a large bill from the recovery company so I'm very much hoping they also cover that - who knew having your car stolen could be so expensive!?

I've also received a very kind and generous offer from another Volvo 480 owner so it might not be too long before I'm back in one - though this time I will add a few more security features!

A tragic end, truly.

I just wish people would have the inclination to create, rather than just mindlessly destroy stuff because they can, it really is annoying and frustrating.

I hope that you can find a replacement, I assume there is nothing salvageable?

I am sorry for your loss

Gamboge wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:02 pm

jamescarruthers wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:57 pm

I am really really sorry to hear this news and see the awful pictures. As prices have risen considerably recently, could you get a higher market value for it than you paid? Replacement similar looking car on eBay of £2k-ish in very condition. ‎

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=36009

Thanks James. That example you posted looks incredible!

I've really no Idea where I stand in terms of value from the insurer. I expect they are likely to low ball. In my favour is the very low mileage for it's age (around 68k if I remember correctly), but other than that in their eyes its value is probably minimal.

One thing I will say is that I received a large bill from the recovery company so I'm very much hoping they also cover that - who knew having your car stolen could be so expensive!?

I've also received a very kind and generous offer from another Volvo 480 owner so it might not be too long before I'm back in one - though this time I will add a few more security features!

How often do these get stolen? I know they are undesirable value wise, and they will probably never rise to very much, but how worried should I be when out and about in mine/what precautions should I take?

MisterH wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:06 pm

How often do these get stolen? I know they are undesirable value wise, and they will probably never rise to very much, but how worried should I be when out and about in mine/what precautions should I take?

I think, very rarely. However, given that the only real deterrent is a flashing LED, they're relatively simple to steal.

I've actually gone back to a good old fashioned stop-lock Pro across the steering wheel. It's not really about prevention, just more "bugger off and steal an easier car"

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:18 pm

MisterH wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:06 pm

How often do these get stolen? I know they are undesirable value wise, and they will probably never rise to very much, but how worried should I be when out and about in mine/what precautions should I take?

I think, very rarely. However, given that the only real deterrent is a flashing LED, they're relatively simple to steal.

I've actually gone back to a good old fashioned stop-lock Pro across the steering wheel. It's not really about prevention, just more "bugger off and steal an easier car"

yep ,makes sense, as my dad used to say ' a lock keeps an honest thief out' . .. . .

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:18 pm

MisterH wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:06 pm

How often do these get stolen? I know they are undesirable value wise, and they will probably never rise to very much, but how worried should I be when out and about in mine/what precautions should I take?

I think, very rarely. However, given that the only real deterrent is a flashing LED, they're relatively simple to steal.

I've actually gone back to a good old fashioned stop-lock Pro across the steering wheel. It's not really about prevention, just more "bugger off and steal an easier car"

Mine doesn't have a flashing LED...

jifflemon wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:18 pm

I've actually gone back to a good old fashioned stop-lock Pro across the steering wheel. It's not really about prevention, just more "bugger off and steal an easier car"

I thought the same jifflemon, but I had one in my car and it doesn't seem to been much of a hindrance, though maybe I could have bought a beefier one.

MisterH wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:03 pm

I hope that you can find a replacement, I assume there is nothing salvageable?

Thanks MisterH. Sadly completely toasted. The only thing I found intact was a single Volvo dust cap, no joke. The level of destruction was incredible.

What a sad ending. I would be devastated if it would happen to my car.

Cars are basically stolen for four reasons:
- joyride
- valuable parts (though professional thieves steal those without taking the car, e.g. satnavs, airbags, headlights)
- the car itself (which is given a new identity and subsequently sold, preferably in another country)
- to commit (more heinous) crimes

A 480 is a way to uncommon sight to use as a getaway car or a drive-by shooting. You don't want to be photographed by car enthusiasts while in a hideout.
Valuable parts? Well, theoretically you could rip out light clusters, rear bumper metal, etc. but the car is very much unwanted by the motor trade, so crimimals won't bother. Also for that reason, stealing a car and giving it a new identity isn't worth the trouble.

Leaves the possible perpetrators to petty thieves, who'd steal an old car without proper anti-theft devices. Though there are 480's fitted with official Volvo immobilisers (which are a pain to use!), most only have the rudimentary alarm which is triggered when a door is opened without using the lock. So if you manage to break the lock, you can take the car in seconds. A Stoplock sounds like a sensible idea!

Thieves torch cars to hide any traces that could be linked to them: hairs, fibers, DNA...
They don't give a shit, if they did they wouldn't have stolen your car in the first place.

Sorry to see the photos of your car.

Your insurance should cover the recovery cost, it is a bit of a cash cow for them to milk insurance and contract work for the big breakdown companies.

If you aren't put off by a this hopefully you will be back behind the wheel of a 480 again.