YOUR CAR
CAN BE STOLEN
in under 60 seconds with no alarm triggered
The best dash cams to buy in 2026: a UK buyer’s guide
LockCAR makes dashcam systems with a built-in immobiliser in the UK. This guide covers what to compare before you buy any dash cam, from the number of cameras to storage and 4G, and who each type suits.
- Parking mode
- 4G live view options
- From £450 fitted
What to compare before you buy
Six things decide whether a dash cam is useful on the day you need it.
- How many cameras
- Front only records the road ahead. Front and rear adds the road behind. Front and driver adds the cabin, which matters for taxis and fleets.
- Video quality
- Full HD 1080p suits most drivers. 2K or 4K adds detail in good light, but placement, lighting and a clean windscreen matter as much for reading number plates.
- Parking mode
- Records when the car is parked, triggered by movement or impact. It needs a hardwired supply that protects the car battery.
- Storage
- Footage goes to a memory card and records over itself in a loop. Choose a high-endurance card and save important clips straight away.
- 4G and GPS
- Lets you see the camera from your phone, get alerts and know where the car is. Check what the data plan costs.
- Fitting
- A hardwired install hides the cables, powers parking mode and keeps the windscreen clear.
Which type suits you
- Everyday driversA good front camera with parking mode covers most incidents.
- New and learner driversFront and rear recording helps when someone drives into the back of you.
- Taxis and private hireA camera on the cabin records what happens with passengers.
- Vans, HGVs and fleetsMore cameras, 4G live view and fleet software help managers act quickly.
- Anyone worried about theftA dash cam records a theft but does not stop it. Choose one with an immobiliser built in.
Using dash cam footage for insurance claims
Footage is only useful if you can find it and it is clear.
Save the clip at once
Lock or download it before the loop records over it.
Tell your insurer you have footage
Many insurers will look at clear footage when deciding who was at fault.
Keep the original file
Send a copy and keep the untouched original with its time and date.
Footage helps most when the camera was set up properly: correct date and time, a clean lens and a card that is replaced when it wears out.
Keep your dash cam working
A few minutes a month.
- Check a clip every month to make sure it is recording and in focus.
- Format the memory card every few weeks, and replace it when it starts to fail.
- Keep the lens and the windscreen clean.
- Mount it where it does not block your view: read where a dash cam can legally go.
LockCAR dash cams with an immobiliser
Evidence and protection in one fitted unit.
| System | What it includes | GPS tracker | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| LockCar One | Dashcam + immobiliser | No | £450 |
| LockCar One Plus 4G | Dashcam + immobiliser + GPS tracker | Yes | £499 |
| LockCar Duo RH | Dual-camera dashcam + immobiliser | No | £550 |
| LockCar Duo RH Plus 4G | Dual-camera 4G dashcam + immobiliser + GPS tracker | Yes | £699 |
Every LockCAR dashcam system also contains an immobiliser, so the camera that records a theft attempt also stops the car being driven away. The 4G versions add GPS tracking, live camera view and remote immobilisation in the app.
Dash cam questions
What should I look for in a dash cam in 2026?
The number of cameras you need, clear video, a parking mode with a hardwired supply, reliable storage, and 4G if you want to see the camera from your phone.
Does a dash cam record when the car is parked?
Yes, if it has a parking mode and a hardwired supply. It records when it detects movement or an impact.
Do insurers accept dash cam footage?
Many insurers will look at clear footage when deciding a claim. Save the clip straight away and tell your insurer you have it.
Will a dash cam stop my car being stolen?
No. It records what happens. A LockCAR dashcam system also contains an immobiliser, which keeps the engine blocked until you disarm it.
How much does a LockCAR dash cam cost?
The LockCar One costs £450, the One Plus 4G £499, the Duo RH £550 and the Duo RH Plus 4G £699, all fitted.
Written by the LockCAR engineering team. We design and build our immobilisers in the UK and fit them through our approved installers. Meet the engineers. Last updated October 2026.
