My truck was stolen last Monday night, it's a 2010 1500 crew cab sport. It's been missing almost a week and the police recovered it in an alley tonight.
It looks like it's in "okay" condition, at least at first glance. I wasn't able to touch it or look inside it at all because they want to dust it for fingerprints and investigate it further first. The outside is very dirty and the inside from what I could see looks dirty as well. I am a fanatic about my vehicles and I've never had this vehicle dirty like this before, I don't drive it on gravel roads or use it off road at all. It's always been my 'black beauty' always hand washed never brushed, that kind of thing.
So I have to wait till tomorrow to talk to the insurance company to see what my options are. My question is, what should I do now. Would you try and get rid of it, either through insurance buy out or sale or would you clean it up, have any repairs done and move on?
Keep in mind, prior to being stolen this truck was mint, definately above average as far as condition goes. I would of course have a mechanical inspection done and such, but I'm sure it's difficult to know for sure what the mechanical consequences could be for the abuse it took.
Is there anything I should look at specifically or ask the police, insurance about?
Obviously if at closer inspection I find that the truck is trashed I don't want anything to do with it, but I'm just wondering what happens if it looks slavageable, what type of risk would you take?
Any help or suggestions would be great, thanks!

Before pictures:



After recovery:

 

I would ask the insurance company what your options are, like you planned. Did your insurance pay you anything for it yet? If so, its probably property of the insurance company, and they may want to sell it to a salvage yard, even if it is in good condition.

 

Looks almost as dirty as mine, wash it. You'll lose your *** on the deal if you sell it because someone got it dirty and did some minor damage.

 

Once they release it back to you, take it to a detailer and have em do a full interior and exterior detail job then decide from there what your going to do. If there is damage that you just cant stand, sell it and buy a new one.

 

Out of curiosity - how did they steal it? Never really thought about how that might be possible these days in trucks that have rfids in the keys

 

I keep it in my garage, the garage was locked, the truck was not, they got in the garage and made off with the truck.
I'm not sure if the keys were recovered with the truck when they found it, if not I'll have to have the keys/locks changed..
There were 3 vehicles in the garage at the time they also stole the keys for one of the other trucks, so I have to get the keys/locks changed on that one as well.

 

I had one truck stolen twice and each time recovered.

The first time, the only damage was the ignition switch which was a dealer repair. I think they used a slim jim to get in.

The second time, there was damage from an accident (right front fender and passenger door) they got into which was less the total loss value. The insurance fixed it and it was not the same as before. The paint was not a perfect match as the old paint had faded. The insurance did not paint the whole truck, no matter how loudly I complained. One of the front tires was blown out in the accident and since the original tires were no longer available, they gave me the best match - only one tire. Boy, I was really upset but that was the outcome. Fortunately, that truck was totaled while parked in front of my house a few months later.

So, expect your insurance to cheap out. Depending on the deductible and if it is only dirt, it may be better for you to fix it yourself. You can order a WIN module and 2 new key fobs as a kit and have the dealer install and program for about the same price as two new key fobs.

best of luck

 

You keep the keys IN the garage where people can see them? Someone would have to know you to know that.

 

/\ agreed and also.. insurance companies are as big of scam artists as politicians. Insurance is the biggest rigged market there is (maybe)..