At Car Specialist Customs, we believe in security that can be trusted, and with that in mind, we wanted to share some information with you about our most comprehensive car security system available, the Pandora Alarm. We also intend to answer a common question we get which is: are Pandora Alarms Thatcham approved?
Firstly, we have to realize that car theft is becoming a common crime that leaves its victims devastated and uncomfortable with the security of their cars. The statistics are worrying as there was a reported 108,542 theft of motor vehicles between 2021 and 2022. What makes this more alarming is that with the advance in technology, the keyless entry has become a common feature that criminals capitalize on by finding ways to ‘hack’ the mechanism and break into your car without even needing to touch your keys.
Although there are steps you can take to avoid your car being stolen, we believe the most comprehensive security system available is the Pandora Alarm. Now you may be wondering what is a Pandora Alarm and are Pandora Alarms Thatcham approved.
What is a Thatcham Category alarm and are Pandora Alarms Thatcham Approved?
The team at Car Specialist Customs always advise that before getting any security modifications on your car, the most important thing to know is if the security modification is approved by the leading bodies when it comes to car security. The Thatcham category alarm refers to the institute known as Thatcham Research which independently rates different car alarms & immobilisers by various categories to give consumers a better idea of the role they play.
Alarms fall within seven Thatcham categories which give an indication of the level of security offered by a vehicle along with external anti-theft components. To see what constitutes a Thatcham category alarm, and all of the individual Thatcham categories and their meaning, click here.
All modern vehicles will have been categorized within the Thatcham certification, you can check your vehicle’s certification by entering your vehicle details here.
If you’d like to know what security features come with your car as standard, the best course of action is to read your car’s handbook. In most cases, even if your vehicle has a high-security rating the stock security features on your car may not be enough to prevent theft due to the advanced technologies thieves use such as relay amplifiers and transmitters.
We at Car Specialist Customs believe it is beneficial to assess what options you have in improving the security of your car (before making any purchase, we recommend you speak to your car insurance provider to see if the addition of security devices affects your policy.)
In regards to Pandora, as of 2020 they are Thatcham certified, meaning all instalments of Pandora security systems have the approval of Thatcham Research. All Pandora alarms are listed as a full category 1 on the Thatcham certification list, which is the best certification available; this means that the Pandora Alarm meets all of the strict criteria from Thatcham, this includes:
- Having a backup battery siren. This ensures that even if the car’s alarm is deactivated, the backup siren will continue to alert anyone within hearing distance, further deterring thieves.
- A minimum of two physical immobilization cuts. Making your car even harder to physically steal.
- Monitors on all of the opening zones on the vehicle including the boot, bonnet & doors, along with a sensor inside the cabin zone which detects movement, guaranteeing that any suspicious movement is accounted for and brought to your attention.
What is a Pandora Alarm?
Now that we have an understanding as to what a Thatcham certification is, as well as confirmation that the Pandora Alarm is Thatcham approved, we can now ask what exactly is the Pandora Alarm and what makes it unique from other security systems.
The Pandora Alarm is a security system that protects your vehicle from wheel jacking, towing, hijacking and tampering. It does this by using two immobilizers, which are electronic devices that stop the car from starting without the correct key or fob.
Depending on the model of the Pandora Alarm you choose, you can expect varying features such as:
- Indoor motion sensors
- Tilt sensors.
- Anti-Hijack, which shuts the car engine off safely if the driver retains their Pandora BlueTooth tag in a situation where the car is hijacked from the driver.
Pandora Alarms can also be synced to your smartphone, tablets and smartwatches via the Pandora app, giving you full control and an instant understanding of what state your car is in when you can’t physically see it, like in the early hours of the morning, which is when thieves usually operate.
For a full breakdown of the Pandora Alarm’s features, components and models, visit our blog for a full understanding of one of the most comprehensive car security systems around. Alternatively, click here to browse our selection of Pandora Alarms or to get a quote for installation.
Alternative security
The Ghost Immobiliser
We at Car Specialist Customs understand the importance of security and offer a variety of options when it comes to the security of your car. A popular and affordable alternative to the Pandora Alarm system is the Ghost Immobiliser.
The Ghost Immobiliser works by preventing your engine to start unless certain buttons within your car are pressed in a specific sequence, think of it like a password to get your car started.
The Ghost Immobiliser serves as a discreet method of security as the ‘password’ of buttons you press is only known to you, and if your car is ever broken into thieves will not be aware of the sequence needed to unlock your vehicle.
For an in-depth look at the Ghost Immobilser’s features and facts, head over to our blog post where we give you all the information you need on this integral security feature. To browse our Ghost Immobiliser installation service and pricing, click here.
Vehicle Trackers
The reality is that when some vehicles are stolen they are never to be seen again. Whether they are sold illegally, used for criminal activity or broken down for parts, the worst part for any victim of theft is not knowing where your car is and who may be using it.
That’s why our team at Car Specialist Customs offer an extensive range of vehicle trackers that can send alerts to your phone and provide a location for your car to be recovered quickly and safely. Along with peace of mind, a vehicle tracker could possibly save you money on your insurance premiums.
Want to know more about Vehicle trackers? We have all the information you need to know, including how vehicle trackers work and which products are the best for tracking. Take a look at our blog sight for all the need-to-know information you need. If a vehicle tracker is what you are after, take a look at the Vehicle Trackers we offer on our website.
We have got you covered
With all of the information we’ve shared with you today, we hope to have answered any questions you may have, from ‘What is a Pandora Alarm?’ ‘What does Thatcham approval mean?’ and ‘Are Pandora Alarms Thatcham Approved?’
Rest assured that we at Car Specialist Customs have the answers you’re looking for, along with the products and services that you need to have your car the way that you want it.
For a deeper look into the alternative services and products, we offer, including starlights, window tints and vehicle trackers, head over to our website to see how we can help you find what you need today.
Want to know more about our products?
If you’d like more information about our services and products, or clarity on how we can help you, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us. Our specialist team will be happy to hear from you, they provide around-the-clock quality care and services to help you find the product or service that fits your needs.
Our mission is always to provide our customers with the best quality items at the most competitive rates. We truly care about car protection and theft prevention therefore we would love to roll out these measures as quickly as possible, even if that means operating at lower rates. We have always been proud to be able to say that our customers are extremely satisfied with our work and proud to say that we currently have a 5-star rating on Google.
To reach us and get more information today, you can contact Car Specialist Customs at 07523 971347 or use our email at info@carspecialistcustoms.co.uk for the quickest responses and swift support from members of our team.
Alternatively, if you prefer to browse independently, you can find a portfolio of our work here with plenty of photos to show off our work quality. Whatever you choose to do, we have no doubt that you’ll find what you’re looking for with us.
Are Pandora Alarms Thatcham approved? The definitive answer is a resounding yes. We at Car Specialist Customs hope this has been an insightful and helpful resource for you, answering questions you may have had whilst providing an in-depth and thorough breakdown of our services along with the top-quality products that we offer.