If you’re considering buying a Mazda MX-5 Miata (or you already own one), you are probably aware of vandalism.
Vandalism is a concern for any convertible car owner. But why does vandalism happen? And why is the MX-5 Miata a magnet for vandals and senseless criminals?
Today we’ll explore the issue of motor vehicle vandalism, and how you can deter vandals from damaging your MX-5 Miata. Let’s get into it.
Do MX-5 Miatas get vandalized?
Vandalism is quite a common occurrence on MX-5 Miatas. The car is an easy target for would-be vandals who can slash the soft-top and scratch the paintwork. It’s a real annoyance for owners who take care in the appearance of their Miata.
Senseless vandalism is a real worry for any car owner. It’s disheartening to think that your pride and joy could be damaged by somebody else’s criminal actions.
Whether it’s jealousy or cheap thrills, vandals choose to inflict their insecurities on your vehicle. This can result in slashed soft-tops, eggs on your paint, panels scratched with keys, flat tyres and smashed windows.
In general, convertible cars are perceived as being more susceptible to vandalism. This is because the materials used in soft tops are much weaker than conventional car roofs. They can be slashed and cut easily with sharp objects, like keys or knives. They can also be burned with cigarettes and lighters.
To combat any damage to the soft top, some owners like to keep the top down when parked for prolonged periods. However, this opens up the interior of the Miata to vandals. Not to mention that those of us in wet climates can’t leave the top down for long!
While you can never completely eliminate the chances of vandalism happening to your roadster, there are a few different ways that you can deter it.
Why do MX-5 Miatas get vandalized?
There’s no common reason as to why the MX-5 Miata is a target for vandals. It simply comes down to the vandal. They might dislike the car, or the person driving it. Likewise, they could just be opportunistic and have no real prejudice against you or your Miata.
It’s unclear why MX-5 Miatas can be such a huge target for vandals. Some believe that it comes down to the Miata’s stereotypes. Some think it comes down to pure, basic jealousy.
If a vandal feels inferior or wants something that you have, they will express these feelings in a destructive way. They don’t care about the time and expense involved in putting the damage right.
Vandalism inflicted on motor vehicles is considered a felony, or a serious crime. Penalties for vandals can include fines, community service and jail time if the damage caused is serious.
How to prevent MX-5 Miata vandalism
Most vandalism occurs opportunistically. This means that vandals will cause damage to your car only when it is easy and convenient for them to do so.
Reducing the accessibility of your car to opportunistic vandals is the best way to prevent senseless damage to your pride and joy. Here are a few ideas that you can try:
- Park your Miata in a garage, if you have one
- Keep your Miata in a well-lit area
- Install CCTV or video recording (like a Ring doorbell) to deter vandals
- Keep valuables hidden
- Lock your doors and close windows
- Try not to park in high-crime areas
You will never be able to 100% protect your Miata from vandals. For example, if you leave your Miata in a busy parking lot, there’s nothing stopping a vandal from scraping their key along your paint or dinging your door.
Your comprehensive insurance should protect you from any significant damages caused by vandals. If you’re unsure about any of this, it’s a good idea to check with your insurance provider.
Final thoughts
Like most owners, I work hard to run and maintain my reliable Mazda MX-5 Miata. It’s extremely unfair that a vandal can ruin that hard work in a matter of seconds.
I hope that this article helped you to understand the issue of vandalism on the MX-5 Miata, and convertible vehicles in general. I also hope that you were able to benefit from the tips about how to deter vandals from taking an interest in your car.
Whether you believe in karma or not, we can only hope that it catches up to vandals!
Do you have any useful tips on preventing vandalism on your Miata? Let us know below!
