GPS Tracker vs Factory-Installed Tracking: Is Your Car’s App Enough?

Most new cars come with a connected-car app – My BMW, Land Rover Remote, Mercedes me, FordPass and others – that can show where the car is parked. It is natural to assume that means the car is protected against theft. In reality, factory tracking is designed mainly for convenience, and it has specific weaknesses when thieves are involved. This guide explains the differences so you can decide whether you need an aftermarket tracker, an immobiliser, or both.

What factory connected-car services do

Factory systems use a telematics unit built into the car at the factory, connected to the manufacturer’s cloud. Depending on brand and subscription, they offer features such as remote locking, climate pre-conditioning, service reminders, vehicle status and a parked-car location. Some manufacturers also run a stolen vehicle tracking service that works with the police once the theft is reported.

The limitations when a car is stolen

• Subscriptions lapse. Many connected services are free for an initial period and then need renewing. If the subscription has expired, location features may no longer work.
• Thieves know where to look. Factory telematics units are fitted in the same place on every car of that model, and organised gangs know how to find and disable them.
• Designed for convenience, not recovery. Location updates may be infrequent, and stolen-vehicle services often depend on reporting the theft first.
• No prevention. A connected-car app can tell you where the car is, but it cannot stop a relay attack or CAN injection from starting the engine.

What an aftermarket tracker adds

A dedicated aftermarket tracker is fitted in a concealed location that varies from car to car, so a thief does not know where to look. It runs independently of the manufacturer’s systems and subscriptions, reports its position over 4G, and sends you alerts if the vehicle moves when it should not. When combined with a relay immobiliser, as in the LockCar One Plus, it can also stop the engine from being restarted remotely.

Side-by-side comparison

Which one do you need?

Keep using your factory app – it is useful, and there is no reason to switch it off. But if your car is a common theft target, treat it as convenience rather than security. The strongest setup is prevention first (a hidden relay immobiliser, so the car cannot be driven away) and independent recovery second (a concealed 4G tracker in case it is ever lifted or towed). Our car theft prevention guide explains how the different theft methods work.

LockCar products for this

Top recommendation

LockCar One Plus – £259

4G GPS tracker, camera and immobiliser

Live GPS location, camera view and remote immobilisation from your phone. Prevention and recovery in a single unit.

LockCar IC3ST – £139

Immobiliser with proximity tag and app

Hidden 20A relay that only lets the engine start when your tag or app is present. Works on 12V and 24V vehicles. No monthly fee.

Related reading: how thieves steal cars and how to stop them and what to do if your car is stolen.

Questions and answers