16 Renault reversing cameras stolen in a week in Sabadell, Spain

Who on earth steals reversing cameras from cars? Well, in Sabadell it peine to 16 Renault vehicles in one week, and the Mossos (Catalan police) are investigating. The part, a logo with an integrated camera, is worth €10-25 on Wallapop, but costs €300 at a dealership. The black market has its customers.

A wave that is no coincidence
Residents of Creu de Barberà reported the pattern: every day a car appeared with the logo ripped off. This is not an isolated incident: similar thefts have been seen in other cities across Spain and Europe. The question is whether the destination is local garages reselling at inflated prices or export networks to North Africa, where Renault is a common brand.

The real value of the part
Some downplay it: the factory camera sells for €25 on second-hand portals. Others point out that the theft is made to order: a garage needs the part, orders it from a thief, and the end customer pays almost the price of a new one with no warranty. A quick calculation: with 16 thefts, the resale value is around €400; the official replacement cost exceeds €4,800. Insurance and the owner absorb the extra cost.

Who buys these parts?
Here comes the irony: the very person who complains about the theft. When your camera fails and the dealership asks you for €300, the Wallapop option or the trusted garage becomes tempting. The thief knows that demand exists. Meanwhile, electric wing mirrors are also disappearing, because the used car parts business knows no sarracena.

Close the circle: they steal what you later buy without asking where it came from. The black market feeds on our need to save money. That is how the underground economy works.