Ghost vs tracker vs OBD lock — which actually stops theft?
Trackers help you find a stolen car. Immobilisers stop it being stolen in the first place. Here's how to layer them properly.
Customers often ask: should I get a Ghost, or a tracker, or an OBD lock? The honest answer is they do completely different jobs. Here's the difference.
Ghost / PIN immobiliser
Job: prevent the car being driven away in the first place. Best at: stopping the theft happening. Worst at: helping you recover it once it's gone.
S5 / S7 tracker
Job: locate the car after it's stolen. Best at: recovery (typically 88%+ in 24h). Worst at: prevention — by the time the tracker activates, your car is being loaded into a container.
OBD port lock
Job: physically block the most common attack vector. Best at: stopping the £50 eBay 'key programmer' attack. Worst at: it doesn't help if the thief knows how to get around it (some now do).
What we recommend in Cambridge
For a £20k–£40k car parked on a driveway: Ghost + OBD lock. Total install ~£600. Premiums often drop.
For a £40k+ car or a high-target model (Range Rover Sport, M3, RS3, Defender): Ghost + S5 tracker. ~£900–£1,200 fitted. Some insurers require a tracker to even quote.
Filed under Security
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