How do you defend your car against car park vandalism?

[Flat_White]

Parked at the shopping centre on the weekend and returned to find some nasty trolley scratches right down the side of the car scratched right down to the base coat, ****ing frustrating!!!

How do you guys protect your cars against damage from vandals and careless people at shopping centres/car parks/anywhere in public???

[minux]

I always park where I know there is camera's, any damage occurs i request the complex to release footage. Happened a few years back with my VT SS, the person ended up being charged and being uninsured my insurance company sued them. had they left a note, I would of let it slide.

If there is no cameras or I know there wont be, we take the falcon

[ashbox]

Park in a spot where no one can park on one side and put your car as close to the kerb as possible. If i'm out i try and park in quiet spot

^^^^that to^^^^

[Flat_White]

I always park where I know there is camera's, any damage occurs i request the complex to release footage. Happened a few years back with my VT SS, the person ended up being charged and being uninsured my insurance company sued them. had they left a note, I would of let it slide.

If there is no cameras or I know there wont be, we take the falcon

never thought of that, very good idea minux.

[MaN|aC]

simple I dont park my car in public car parks

[vorn]

I try to park next to a column (if its underground) or a spot that has only one spot next to it and leave as much space as possible between me and the next car. The worst is when people miss judge the parking spot and scrap your car in the process, and leave with out leaving a note or some thing.

[nicko]

the usual park next to a nice car or a pole/wall/gutter but having my car keyed and then full resprayed only to have it badged a week later i have learnt you can't really do a ****ing thing about keeping your car nice. Just roll with the punches and make sure its full comp. Dont worry about the material **** in your life too much mate.

[VL_5SPEED]

I don't park my VL where its not safe. Or where I cant see it. Especially car parks. Tho it usually sits on my front lawn unlocked sometimes with the keys in the ignition Thats how much I trust my little town.

[dijm8]

do what i do... double parking works a charm lol

[Flat_White]

do what i do... double parking works a charm lol

hahahha mate are you serious lol?

[minux]

do what i do... double parking works a charm lol

Works a charm until someone needs a park and cant get one so they key the **** out of your car being a tosser and taking up two parking spaces. Hear do fit happening so many times. So be careful(p.s i used to do this until it happened to someone I know)

[STEALTHY™]

Park right out the front of the entrance, pop the hazards on.

Anyone asks any questions, your waiting for the RAA

[azkwazere]

Park right out the front of the entrance, pop the hazards on.

Anyone asks any questions, your waiting for the RAA

hahah gold

aZk.

[Surfwagon]

If you can't find a column or single bay to park against/in then try to park next to an older but well kept car as usually these owners care about there own car enough not to bang yours.
I never park next to expensive or late models 4WD's as these are usually driven by well to do mothers who don't give a damn about any one but them selves and they always in a rush.

[arrow224]

Park in a spot that only has one spot next to it , ie, on the end.
Park away from everyone else.

[Farlig]

i don't park in public car parks.
do my shopping etc when at work, no need to drive its across the road.

[Timmos]

This is how my old prelude was totalled... came back after going to the shops to find someone had run into the front of my car with a towbar. destroyed the whole front kit/radiator. So ****ed off..

Don't park in public car parks.

[jules]

someone once threw the keys to an Adventra at me for the night. i had it only one night, and parked it in a car park for 5 minutes to go into the video store and when i came back it was keyed. i thought - **** owning one.

i'm a bit Bohemian in that regard - i'm happy not to own a shiny new car and never have to stress about where i park it. i find the benefit is much greater than the pride of owning a shiny new car that people only seem to want to vandalise, rather than admire.

[MasterOfReality]

I always take corner parks, or wedge the car as close to a pole as possible.

In 5 years of daily driving my VP and using it for everything, including uni, I have not received one dent or scratch

The only scratch on it happened when I went to park in Eagle St, Brisbane, and it was valet parking only. I couldn't prove it and it polished out anyway.

My parents have a 4WD, and the first thing that went on were slightly wider tyres and side steps. The tyres poke out of the arches slightly, and the side steps stand out as far as the wheel arch. Its not noticeable for rego, but it ensures that anybody who opens their door into the car gets their own door damaged by the side step, or if they are lucky they just hit the tyre.

[Kikki]

I live 500 meters away from a shopping center.... I walk.

If not then I have kids, in WA we have "Parents with Prams" parking spaces which are as wide as disabled spaces, and you can park in those until your youngest child is 5, Billee turns 5 in January so I keep telling Craig to hurry up and let me get a bun in the oven!

[jules]

i was walking down Burke Rd in Melbourne one time and this Camberwell lady came out of the shops to find her luxury 4WD had a great big dent in the side and a shopping trolley lying against it.

she went completely white and started yelling at anyone who'd listen, then saw me just walking along and yelled out "who is that guy?! where is he going?!" as if i must have done it, since i happened to be walking past at the time, lol. i kept walking.

[Cheap6]

It's not just careless shoppers that can cause damage either. I saw (very) recently a shopping trolley left in a shopping centre car park blown by a strong wind into someone's car. While I can't get too fussed about my current car, I certainly parked well away from any trolleys.

Shopping late at night, when there are less people around helps if you can arrange it. (Also means a quicker run through the checkouts and generally specials on perishable items ).

[stocky]

I live 500 meters away from a shopping center.... I walk.

If not then I have kids, in WA we have "Parents with Prams" parking spaces which are as wide as disabled spaces, and you can park in those until your youngest child is 5, Billee turns 5 in January so I keep telling Craig to hurry up and let me get a bun in the oven!

they need parents with stupid 8 year old kid spaces that are 10 feet wide to stop the little bastards swinging their doors open into the car next to them as hard as they can

[CANYONERO]

do what i do... double parking works a charm lol

i did this one thurs night, i parked where no one else was and some low life still scraped my rear bar. i dont know how. anyways. i try to avoid usin public car parks. if i go shopping i try to use dads old work hack (benefits of livin at home)

i also try to avoid the low lying areas of car parks for rogue trolleys

[Farlig]

we can always go shopping after midnight at coles hehe definitely no mums and kids, trolleys are normally scarce, and a quiet shopping experience hehe.