Ghost Immobilisers are a unique aftermarket security solution for your vehicle. But how much can you depend on them? Can they be bypassed? Or are they completely reliable?
In this blog, we will answer the question ‘Are Ghost Immobilisers reliable?’
The UK automotive aftermarket industry is thriving, ranking fourth in Europe and ninth in the world in terms of size, and turning over an annual £21.1 billion.
The sector supports 345,600 jobs and contributes £12.2 billion each year to the economy. And it is growing: the sector’s value is set to rise to £28 billion by 2022.
That’s why we at Car Specialist Customs are here to provide you with all the information you require to get the best car customisation possible, whilst being as informed as possible.
Can an electric car have a Ghost Immobiliser?
Yes, electric cars can absolutely have a Ghost Immobiliser installed! Here’s why:
- Compatibility: Ghost Immobilisers are designed to work with a wide range of vehicles, and electric cars are no exception. They don’t interfere with the electric drivetrain and function by interrupting the car’s electrical system during a theft attempt.
- Security Need: While less common than gasoline car thefts, electric car thefts are on the rise. Ghost Immobilisers provide an extra layer of security for these valuable vehicles.
- Keyless Entry Vulnerability: Many electric cars rely on keyless entry systems, which can be susceptible to hacking. Ghost Immobilisers offer additional protection beyond just the key fob.
How do I know if my car is compatible with a Ghost Immobiliser?
Thankfully, there are tools available to help you see if your current vehicle, or a vehicle you are getting, is compatible with a Ghost Immobiliser. Simply click here.
Are Ghost Immobilisers reliable?
Ghost Immobilisers are generally considered reliable with some factors to consider:
Pros (supporting reliability):
- Hidden Design: Unlike steering wheel locks, Ghost Immobilisers are hidden within the car’s wiring, making them undetectable to thieves. This surprise element can deter theft attempts.
- Thatcham Approval: Certain Ghost Immobiliser models are Thatcham approved, which means they meet the security standards of a respected automotive research centre Thatcham approval indicates a rigorous testing process for reliability and effectiveness.
- Long Lifespan: The electronic components are built to last for many years with proper use. Reliable manufacturers often back their products with warranties on parts and labour.
Cons (to consider):
- Installation Quality: Like any electronic device, a Ghost Immobiliser’s reliability depends on proper installation.It’s crucial to choose a certified and experienced installer to ensure everything is wired correctly and doesn’t interfere with your vehicle’s electrical systems.
- Software Updates: While not necessarily a reliability concern, some Ghost Immobilisers might require software updates to maintain optimal functionality or address security vulnerabilities. These updates might not always be covered under warranty.
- Electronics: if the electric system in your vehicle is already compromised, it will affect the reliability of the Ghost Immobiliser.
Overall, Ghost Immobilisers are a reliable security option for vehicles when installed correctly by a certified professional. However, to ensure continued reliability, Choose a reputable installer. Look for an installer certified by Autowatch (the manufacturer) to guarantee proper installation.
In addition, look for an installer who offers a warranty on both parts and labor for the Ghost Immobiliser itself. And finally, Check with the manufacturer or installer about the process for software updates and any associated costs.
By considering these points, you can maximize the reliability of a Ghost Immobiliser and keep your car well-protected.
How does a bad installation make a Ghost Immobiliser less reliable?
A bad installation can make a Ghost Immobiliser less reliable in several ways:
- Electrical Issues: Ghost Immobilisers connect to a car’s existing wiring system to interrupt the engine during a theft attempt. Faulty installation can lead to loose wires, incorrect connections, or damage to the car’s electrical system. This could cause:
- System Malfunctions: The Ghost Immobiliser might not activate properly when needed, essentially failing to prevent theft.
- Electrical Gremlins: Poor wiring can lead to electrical problems in your car beyond the immobiliser itself,causing malfunctions in other systems.
- Battery Drain: Improper connections could cause the Ghost Immobiliser to draw unnecessary power,draining your car battery.
- System Bypassing: A skilled thief might be able to exploit a poorly installed Ghost Immobiliser. If wires are exposed or the bypass sequence isn’t properly hidden, they might have a higher chance of figuring out how to disable the system.
- Software Issues: While less common, a bad installation might make it difficult to update the Ghost Immobiliser’s software if needed. In rare cases, the installer might damage the system during the installation process, affecting its ability to receive software updates.
By choosing a qualified installer, you can maximize the effectiveness and reliability of your Ghost Immobiliser and keep your car safe.
How to get the most reliable Ghost Immobiliser
A professional installation is the best way to get the most reliability from your Ghost Immobiliser. Although you have the option of installing your Ghost Immobiliser system yourself, you can get in contact with our team for a professional installation. This is the best option when it comes to installing the device.
Here are the crucial reasons why you should get an installation from us.
- As it is a discrete device, having us install it in the appropriate place of our choosing will make it undetectable by you and subsequently any potential thieves. (unless you want to know the location.)
- As trusted and professional installers, we guarantee we will install the device efficiently, not damaging your vehicle or tampering with anything beyond what needs to be altered.
- We rigorously test our installations so you will have no problems dealing with them in the future.
- Getting it installed by us allows you to ask any questions directly to our team who have years of installation and usage expertise aftermarket security systems.
- If you have never installed anything manually into your car before, you could be doing damage to your vehicle’s systems unintentionally, which could cost a lot of time and money to repair.
Purchase a Ghost Immobiliser today
Our team members at Car Specialist Customs are extremely passionate and proud of the multiple services and products we provide for the people of Greater Manchester and beyond.
As a fully insured and approved installer, catering to the needs of vehicle owners of Greater Manchester and beyond, we are proud to let you know that we offer services for the following:
Tints:
Wrapping and PPF:
- Paint Protection Film — PPF
- Exo Shield Window Tint
- Black Packs
- Dechroming
- Custom Decals
- Commercial Wrapping
- Vehicle Wrapping
Interior customisation/ technology:
- Starlights
- Apple Play/ Android Autos
- Android Screen Upgrades
- Parking Sensors
- Reverse Cameras
- Rear Seat Entertainment
Protection/Security:
Featuring the brands, Pandora, ScorpionTrak, Meta Trak & SmarTrack, we’ve included affordable, and premium products to suit the needs of our customers. With finance options available, and the option of installation, head to our website to get your quote!
We will always go above expectations to make your car feel special to you. With even more services and options becoming available in the future, Car Specialist Customs is the home of making any car unique, secure and special.
See what we can do for you today, we hope the details we shared have helped you decide to take a step forward in personalising your vehicle with our unique service.
In this blog, we aimed to have answered the question, ‘Are Ghost Immobilisers reliable?’ Whilst also providing supplementary information that can help you make an informed choice when it comes to investing in customisation options for your vehicle.
Want to get in touch? You can find us right here:
WORKSHOP:
Unit 30
Caldershaw Centre
Ings Ln
Rochdale
OL12 7LQ
OPENING TIMES:
Monday to Wednesday – 10 AM—7 PM
Thursday – Closed
Friday to Sunday – 11 AM—7 PM
TELEPHONE:
07523 971347 (Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm)
EMAIL:
info@carspecialistcustoms.co.uk