Hi, Just bought a 1909 registered MX5 Eunos that was imported in 1997
My insurance company require it to be fitted with an immobiliser
There may be a factory one fitted but I do not know how to find out ?
Any suggestions would be helpfull
Thanks
The standard manufacturers steering column lock is a de-facto immobilizer. The juvenile numpties that staff insurance companies call centers read from a script , but they know not what they talketh
. They could easily have explained that the manufacturers standard steering lock is a de mobiliser! As an additional security on mine I use one of those locking bars that fit across the steering wheel, this has an advantage of protecting my posh 'Nardi. steering wheel .
PS… a 1909 MX5! must be one of the early ones then!!! hehehehe
G’day mate Welcome to the forum–
Just a couple of pointers:-
It’s a good idea to put your rough location in your profile [this helps with us offering advice etc].
Also please put your car details in your sig, again helps when advice is being sought.
On a 1990 '5 there will not be a factory fitted electronic immobiliser. After market ones are quite cheap and easily fitted
As Geoff says there is no electronic immobiliser from the factory. But that is not what the UK insurance companies insist on. The just want to know if the car can be ( in theory only as a determined thief will always win) immobilised. They will then go on to ask if there is what is known as a “Thatcham” rated electronic one fitted. These devices are categorized by number 2 4 6 8 etc. The higher the number the more sophisticated and expensive they are, and they are not too cheap. They also ask if you have a “Tracker” fitted which cost bloody fortunes although they are not legal requirements. Remember they are only asking not insisting. They would be happy to let you fit £900 of security on £900 worth of car, don’t be put off by these questions. If you are in the UK try Footman James ins’ they KNOW MX5’s and give a decent club discount too.
Mike H
With it being an import, it would of not been fitted with a factory immobiliser and are usely fitted with one over here with an after market one by a good auto spark,which he will give a certificate of proof of fitting, which you then photo copy and send the copy to your insurer, which should bring your policy down, but will also stop? some light fingered sh1t from wanting to borrow your car.
You will only need to fit a cat 2 immobiliser for the insurance Co, but a good alarm system is a good idea also, just to make it a little bit harder for them to steal and hopefully push them off to else where.
This is a local chap to me that learnt the hard way… http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/p/16875/100954.aspx#100954
What size engine does your 1909 roadster have, is it the type with really thin large spoke wheels, does it run on steam
Kind regards
When I was in the UK, AON insisted that a Thatcham approved immobiliser was fitted or they would cancel my policy.
As I said Geoff he would be better off getting a quote from Footman James who understand the MX5 in ALL it’s variants and certainly do NOT insist on any electrical immobilizer.
Don’t forget we are talking of a 1990 car here not a brand new one, The requirement for a Thatcham device is well over the top, unless of course you have more money than common sense.
I think the other thing you have to take into account in the UK is the Post Code lottery, in some areas you could have the highest graded Thatcham alarm, a tracker and a Rottweiler and you still wouldn’t get insurance with some companies