Key Takeaways For GPS Trackers Vs Factory Installed Trackers
• Effectiveness: Aftermarket Thatcham-approved GPS trackers are generally more secure and effective for theft recovery than most standard factory-installed systems.
• Thief Knowledge: Criminals are highly familiar with factory-fitted systems and often know how to disable them quickly, sometimes in under a minute.
• Features: Factory systems are often designed for convenience (e.g., remote unlocking, service reminders), while aftermarket car trackers are built purely for security and recovery.
• Monitoring: Professional aftermarket trackers come with 24/7 monitoring by a secure operating centre that liaises directly with the police, a service most factory systems lack.
• Insurance: Many insurance providers require a Thatcham-approved aftermarket tracker for high-value vehicles, as factory systems may not meet their security standards.
When comparing aftermarket GPS trackers to factory-installed systems, aftermarket solutions especially those approved by Thatcham are significantly better for vehicle security and theft recovery. While a manufacturer's built-in system offers convenience, it is often a standardised component that professional thieves know how to locate and disable with ease. A covertly installed, professionally monitored aftermarket tracker provides a much higher level of protection against sophisticated criminals. To understand the superior security features available, you can explore a full range of professional GPS trackers.
What Are Factory-Installed Tracking Systems?
Many modern vehicles roll off the production line with some form of connectivity and tracking built-in. Brands like BMW (ConnectedDrive), Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes me), and Jaguar Land Rover (InControl) offer services that allow owners to interact with their car remotely via a smartphone app.
These systems are primarily designed for convenience and a premium user experience. Their features often include:
• Remote locking and unlocking
• Pre-heating or cooling the cabin
• Checking fuel level and vehicle status
• Sending destinations to the car's navigation system
• Locating the car in a crowded car park
Some systems also include an "eCall" function, which automatically alerts emergency services in the event of a crash, and a "bCall" for breakdown assistance. While they may offer a "stolen vehicle tracking" feature, this is often a secondary function, and its effectiveness can be limited.
The Weaknesses of Factory-Fitted Systems
The biggest problem with factory-installed systems is their uniformity. Because every vehicle of a certain model has the same system installed in the same location, thieves learn precisely where the tracking module is and how to disconnect it.
Standardised and Predictable
Organised crime groups share information. They create guides and videos that detail how to bypass the security on specific makes and models. The tracking unit in a Range Rover, for example, will be in the same place in every vehicle. A thief can gain access to it and disable it in minutes, sometimes before the owner even realises the car is gone. Aftermarket car trackers, by contrast, are installed by trained technicians who place the device in one of many discreet locations within the vehicle, making it far harder for a thief to find.
Lack of Professional Monitoring
Most factory systems will, at best, send a notification to your phone if a potential theft is detected. This puts the responsibility on you to contact the police and manage the situation. In contrast, Thatcham-approved GPS trackers are linked to a 24/7 Secure Operating Centre (SOC). If a theft is detected (e.g., the vehicle moves without the driver ID tag present), the trained staff at the SOC immediately take action. They will contact you to confirm the theft and then liaise directly with the police, providing live, real-time location data to guide them to the vehicle. This professional response is far more effective than an owner trying to coordinate a recovery from their phone.
Vulnerability to Hacking and Jamming
Factory systems are integrated into the vehicle’s main computer network (the CAN bus). Thieves can often gain access to this network through the On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port and send commands to disable security features. While aftermarket car trackers also connect to the vehicle, high-end systems are designed to be "invisible" to OBD port scans and resistant to such attacks.
The Advantages of Aftermarket GPS Trackers
Aftermarket GPS trackers are not designed for convenience; their sole purpose is security. This focused design results in a far more robust and reliable solution for theft prevention and recovery.
Covert Installation
Because these devices are not part of the standard vehicle build, installers can hide them almost anywhere under the dashboard, within seating, in the boot, or deep within the engine bay. This element of surprise is a huge deterrent. A thief working against the clock cannot afford to spend 20 minutes stripping a car apart to find a hidden tracker.
Thatcham Approval and Insurance Compliance
Thatcham Research is the UK’s leading authority on vehicle security. Their rigorous testing standards are trusted by insurers. For many high-value or high-risk vehicles, having a Thatcham-approved S7 or S5 tracker is a mandatory requirement for obtaining theft coverage. Factory-installed systems, even those with tracking capabilities, rarely meet these stringent standards. This is why investing in professional car trackers is often a necessity for insurance purposes.
Advanced Security Features
Premium aftermarket systems offer features that factory systems simply do not have:
• Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR): The system detects if the vehicle is started without a small, authorised driver tag present, triggering an instant alert.
• Jamming Detection: The tracker can sense if a thief is using a GPS/GSM jammer and will send an alert to the monitoring centre.
• Remote Immobilisation: In some cases, the monitoring centre can work with police to safely immobilise the vehicle's engine once it has come to a stop, preventing a restart.
Conclusion: A Layered Approach is Best
While the connectivity features of a factory-installed system are useful for day-to-day life, they should not be relied upon for serious theft protection. Their standardised nature makes them a known quantity to criminals, who come prepared to defeat them.
For true peace of mind and the best chance of recovering your vehicle if it is stolen, an aftermarket, Thatcham-approved security system is the superior choice. The combination of covert installation, 24/7 professional monitoring, and advanced anti-theft technology creates a formidable defence that most factory systems cannot match. Think of your manufacturer's system as a convenient gadget and an aftermarket tracker as a dedicated security guard for your vehicle.
Don't leave the safety of your asset to a system designed for convenience. Protect your vehicle with a solution built for security. To find the right Thatcham-approved device for your car and insurance needs, explore our comprehensive range of GPS trackers today.
