In some instances, you may need to put a tracker on a car, vehicle trackers are a great and discreet contingency if ever your vehicle is taken. However, this technology could be used for nefarious purposes, so it is beneficial for all involved to shed some light on the ruling around vehicle trackers.
In this blog, we will be exploring the question ‘Is it illegal to put a tracker on a car in the UK?’
At Car Specialist Customs, we are proud to offer a wide variety of options when it comes to making your car a unique expression of who you are, alongside security options that can protect your vehicle. We are excited to share with you the option of our vehicle trackers.
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.
What is a vehicle tracker?
A vehicle tracker is a small device, varying in shape and size depending on the brand and model you choose. These devices emit a signal which can allow you to view your vehicle’s location, through your phone or computer (this again varies with the brand and model you select.)
Who would benefit from a vehicle tracker?
We believe any road user can benefit from a vehicle tracker, just in case your vehicle is stolen. Using the data provided by the tracker, authorities can follow and obtain the vehicle and hopefully arrest the thief.
For those who lease vehicles it can prove to be a massive benefit in instances where there are damages, as it could prove a client went somewhere unsuited for the vehicle.
Is it illegal to put a tracker on a car in the UK?
Unless you own the car in question, it is illegal to put a tracker on a car that is not yours.
If you own a business in which you hire/rent vehicles, you are well within your right to place a tracker within them.
If you have multiple vehicles at your home and they are under your name, you are allowed to track them too. However, complications may occur if the car in question is tracked without the driver’s knowledge.
In this instance, along with putting a tracker on a car that is not yours, you are at risk of facing legal consequences in the UK. These consequences come as a result of breaching data & protection of another individual, along with possible breach of the peace and offences related to stalking.
What to do if someone tracks your vehicle without permission
This is a serious offence, so make sure you have proof of this before accusing someone. The best proof of having your vehicle tracked by somebody, can come in the form of finding the tracker in your vehicle. Alternatively, having any evidence of someone applying the tracker to your car could also be considered as proof.
If you are renting or leasing a vehicle, and the provider hasn’t stated the vehicles are tracked either during conversation or within the paperwork, you are within your rights to launch a formal complaint.
Though it is understandable as to why rented/leased vehicles would require trackers, if this is done without the driver’s knowledge, it can be seen as spying/ breaching data protection.
There are two types of trackers, monitored, in which location is shared live. And unmonitored, where location is stored on the device and viewable when the device is in the hands of its user.
Signs of a tracker in your vehicle:
- A small box or rectangle (usually with wires coming from it)
- Any abnormalities in or outside your car
- Wiring that you can physically see
Where to find a tracker in your vehicle:
- In the wheel-well of your car
- Around your front and back bumpers
- Any crevice or space outside car that is not subject to heat or direct weather.
- In and around the dashboard, including the glove compartment
- Underneath, behind and on the sides of seats
- In your boot and in the spare tire storage.
Where to buy the best vehicle trackers
At Car Specialist Customs, The vehicle trackers we supply range from £200-1500. Naturally, the higher-priced options contain premium features that add more layers to the basic level of tracking available on the affordable options we supply. Here are two examples of the many trackers we provide.
Meta Trak S7
The Meta Trak S7 tracker is equipped with a range of useful everyday features as standard. The Meta Trak S7 is well equipped allowing you to use real-time tracking either via the dedicated web portal or your smartphone via the Meta Trak app. Look at your driver history, live Google traffic updates as well as your driver score profile via the app.
Other features include battery monitoring alerts and tow alert notifications on your vehicle.
Convenience Features
- Insurance Approved
- 24-Hour Control Room Monitoring
- European Coverage
- Battery Backup
- Journey History & Score (up to 30 days)
- Instant Alerts
- Low Battery, Tamper and Geo-Fence Alerts
And more
The MetaTrack S5 VTS Deadlock
The MetaTrack S5 VTS Deadlock is the standard S5 + insurance approved tracking system from industry giant, Meta.
The Meta Trak S5 uses Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) as its first line of defence against vehicle theft.
Should the ignition be turned on without the ADR tag present the unit will transmit an alert to the control room and a Push Notification to the owner’s mobile phone allowing quick identification of possible theft.
Features include:
- Insurance-approved
- Driver ID tags included with “no tag, no start” technology.
- Immobilise via mobile app & web application
- OBD port protection (optional)
- 24-hour control room monitoring
- European coverage
- Battery backup
- Journey history & score
- Instant alerts
And more.
Purchase a car tracker 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:
Personalisation:
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 always will 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 aim to have provided what you need to know before considering purchasing a vehicle tracker.
We hope to have answered the question ‘Is it illegal to put a tracker on a car in the UK?’ whilst providing supplementary information that can help you make an informed choice when it comes to investing in security systems for your vehicle.
Want to get in touch? You can find us here:
WORKSHOP:
Unit 30
Caldershaw Centre
Ings Ln
Rochdale
OL12 7LQ
OPENING TIMES:
Monday – Wednesday – 10 AM – 7 PM
Thursday – Closed
Friday – Sunday – 11 AM – 7 PM
TELEPHONE:
07523 971347 (Mon – Fri: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm)
EMAIL:
info@carspecialistcustoms.co.uk