Can Car Thieves Disable GPS Trackers?

(Photo : Lynda Sanchez from Pixabay)

It may seem like a simple question, but the answer is likely dependent on the age and features of the vehicle tracker. The more up-to-date your GPS vehicle tracker is, the less likely a thief will be able to disable it.

With reported vehicle thefts increasing dramatically yearly, with over 100,000 vehicles stolen in England and Wales through 2021/22, vehicle theft is still commonplace. However, what is changing is the number of vehicles recovered and the time taken to get them back home again (and likely less damaged). This is largely down to the extraordinary capabilities of the latest GPS vehicle trackers.

The latest GPS tracking devices, such as those offered by leading nationwide vehicle tracker specialists FitMyTracker, have a very low risk of being disabled by thieves.

The latest GPS vehicle trackers offer a very low risk of disablement

Vehicle trackers are hidden within or underneath the car. They are not visible, therefore, difficult for thieves to locate. There are many places on the vehicle where the tracker can be placed out of sight, and they can be hard-wired into the vehicle's 12-volt system. 

Whether it's your dream bike, car, van, truck, caravan or motorhome, the factory-fitted alarms will not give you the same level of security and protection you can expect from a GPS tracker. For a start, they won't be fitted in the manufacturer's set place (known by thieves), so you are immediately at an advantage. When your vehicle is your pride and joy, having it stolen can be a traumatic and costly experience.

Vehicle recovery

Of course, no matter how much additional security you add to your vehicle, there will always be the determined thief. However, you can undoubtedly hinder their chances of a clean getaway if you fit a hidden GPS tracker. You will be alerted as soon as the vehicle moves. GPS live tracking will keep you updated on the vehicle's whereabouts, making it easier for police to intervene quickly and recover your vehicle. When you see statistics such as 72% of stolen cars are never returned to their owners, this is alarming. Yet, the article clarifies that most unreturned cars don't have GPS vehicle tracking devices fitted. Yet, it also says according to Tracker Network UK statistics, owners of vehicles with additional aftermarket GPS vehicle trackers have a 95% recovery rate. This alone helps prove that thieves, in most cases, cannot or don't disable the tracking device. Installing a tracker clearly improves the chances of your vehicle being returned, and pretty quickly too.

Always know where your vehicle is

With carjacking on the rise, you or your family (yes, some thieves carjack your car when you are still in it!) can act quickly to pass information to the police. Reducing the time thieves have to get away and knowing exactly where they are gives you a far higher chance of a safe recovery. 

GPS vehicle trackers can be fitted quickly and efficiently. Compared to the costs of replacing your vehicle and time without a car when negotiating insurance payouts, they are a pretty cheap way to avoid the hassles a stolen car brings. Motor insurance companies see them as a key solution to preventing theft. Insurance companies recognise there is a far greater chance of a stolen vehicle being recovered if it is fitted with a GPS tracker, so they will likely offer a discount if the device fitted is insurance approved. In cases where a thief is successful, they know there is a greater chance of the vehicle being reunited with the owner. Thus they will often offer lower insurance rates. You will also have peace of mind that you can track your car any time it moves, not just when it is stolen. 

For many high-value or specialist vehicle owners, the fitting of a GPS vehicle tracker can be the only way to secure affordable insurance.