YOUR CAR
CAN BE STOLEN
in under 60 seconds with no alarm triggered
An alarm, a tracker and an immobiliser are not competing for the same job
It is easy to assume more security devices means more protection, but alarms, GPS trackers and immobilisers each solve a different part of the theft problem. Knowing which is which helps you choose what your car actually needs.
An alarm reacts. An immobiliser prevents
A traditional car alarm is designed to react to an attempted break-in with noise and lights, aiming to scare off the thief and draw attention. Many experienced thieves know how to defeat or simply ignore an alarm, especially in a busy area where sirens are common and often disregarded.
A CAN bus immobiliser like CAN-IMMO does not wait for a break-in to react to. It blocks the engine from starting at all until the correct authentication, whether that is the app, a TAG, or a code depending on the system, is present. There is nothing for a thief to hear, see, or bypass in the moment, because the barrier is already in place before they ever get near the car.
Prevention and recovery are two different jobs
A GPS tracker does not stop a car from being taken. Its job starts after the theft, helping locate the vehicle so it can potentially be recovered. That is genuinely useful, but it means the car has already been driven away by the time the tracker’s value comes into play.
An immobiliser is aimed earlier in that sequence: stopping the car from being driven away in the first place. The two are not really substitutes for each other, they cover different stages of the same risk, which is why some owners choose to run both rather than picking one over the other.
An immobiliser is about preventing the theft. A tracker is about what happens if prevention fails. Deciding which matters more to you is a reasonable way to choose where to start.
How the three approaches stack up
| Device type | Main job | Visible to a thief |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional alarm | React to an attempted break-in | Yes, siren and lights |
| GPS tracker | Help locate the car after theft | No, but does not prevent the theft |
| CAN bus immobiliser (CAN-IMMO) | Prevent the engine from starting without authorisation | No, hidden installation with no LEDs or keypad |
LockCar recommended for this page
- CAN bus, LIN bus and ADC bus PIN immobiliser
- Optional Bluetooth proximity TAG, hands-free disarming
- Hidden installation, no LEDs, no keypad
- 12 months warranty, made in the UK
- Multiple immobiliser types
- UK made, professionally installed
- Vehicle-specific setups available
Frequently asked questions
Should I fit an alarm as well as an immobiliser?
They solve different problems, so some owners run both. Whether it makes sense for you depends on your vehicle and how you use it.
Does LockCar offer GPS tracking as well?
Different models in the LockCar range offer different feature sets. Speak to LockCar directly about a configuration that fits your needs.
Is a hidden immobiliser enough on its own?
It significantly raises the difficulty of driving the car away without authorisation, but no single device removes all risk. Layered security is worth considering.
Will an immobiliser lower my insurance premium?
Some insurers recognise aftermarket security devices, but this varies by provider. Check with your own insurer or broker.
Start with prevention, add recovery if you need it
Talk to LockCar about the right combination of protection for your vehicle.
