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Pricy Headlights Become Hot Target for Car Thieves: Here’s Why

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Rising Costs of Automotive Parts
Criminal Activity Targeting Them Grows Overseas
Examining Cases of Headlamp Theft

Reddit

Vehicle crime has increasingly become a global issue, with one particular focus on the theft of high-value parts like headlights. Far from being simple lighting components, modern headlights are sophisticated, high-tech parts designed to enhance visibility and integrate features such as daytime running lights, sequential turn signals, and intelligent lighting systems. As vehicle technology advances, so does the price of these parts, making them significantly more expensive—especially for luxury vehicles, where the cost of headlights can be staggering.

Given their high value, both new and used, stolen headlamps have become a lucrative target for thieves. Often, these parts are removed from vehicles, sold as second-hand items, or recycled when cars are scrapped. This growing trend in headlamp theft is particularly rampant overseas as thieves look to capitalize on the increasing demand and high resale prices.

Reddit
Reddit

A Taycan Owner Experiences Headlamp Theft

In Germany, a recent incident highlighted the growing problem of headlamp theft. The victim was a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, a high-end electric sports car. Photos posted on Reddit show a grim scene where thieves used sharp tools to cut through the fender, unscrewed the necessary parts, and made off with the vehicle’s expensive headlights, leaving the front end hollow and damaged.

The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is an expensive electric sports car. The base model starts at about $110,000 and exceeds $145,000 for the higher trim. The headlamps are also quite expensive due to their high level of technology. The price of the headlamps is known to be around $4,450 per unit in the US.

Reddit
Reddit

More Parts Are Stolen Than Vehicles Nowadays

In the past, car theft often involved stealing the entire vehicle, but today, thieves are increasingly targeting specific parts instead. With modern cars equipped with smart keys and advanced security systems, it’s much harder to steal a vehicle unless the key is left inside or a tow truck is used. 

That’s why vehicle thieves these days mainly steal external parts such as headlights, taillights, tires, and wheels and sell them as used. For instance, wheels can be quickly removed with the right tools, and as seen in the earlier Porsche Taycan case, headlights and taillights can be detached by unscrewing panels and taking them out. While selling a stolen vehicle can be complex, selling these parts is simpler and often more profitable, especially since they are more vulnerable to damage in accidents, increasing the demand for replacements.

Bobaedream
Bobaedream

Rising Crime Rates Worldwide

According to the Office for National Statistics, vehicle thefts increased by 2% from April 2023 to March 2024, from 52,268 to 53,369. Interestingly, the rise in stolen parts outpaced the theft of entire vehicles. British police also reported a surge in the discovery of “chop shops”—illegal garages that dismantle stolen cars for parts—with 37 such operations uncovered in the first half of 2024 alone, compared to 55 found throughout 2023.

Even South Korea, known worldwide for its good public safety, cannot be completely at ease. As in the photo above, there are not many cases of people ripping off vehicles to take away the headlights, but there are occasional cases of people stealing wheels or wipers.

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