THATCHAM APPROVED TRACKERS

If you’re serious about securing your car, motorbike, motorhome or van, then having a tracker installed is a given. If you’re just as serious about vehicle tracking, then ensuring it’s Thatcham-approved, is the next logical step.

Sounds obvious, but what does it mean? Why does being Thatcham-approved matter? Who are Thatcham anyway? And what difference do their categorisations make to the security of your vehicle? Let’s find out.

Who Are Thatcham?

Thatcham Research started in the late 1960s as the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre with the aim to contain (or reduce) the cost of motor insurance claims whilst maintaining safety standards.

Over the last 50 years, they have become a world leader in vehicle safety, security and repair. Today they are still funded by the insurance industry and work with vehicle manufacturers, regulators and law enforcement to continually improve safety standards of not just the cars themselves, but also the products created to help secure those vehicles, including car trackers.

What Does It Mean to be ‘Thatcham-Approved’?

Whilst Thatcham, as an organisation, has been around since 1969, it’s only since the 1990s that vehicle security has been a key component of what they do. This is when they first introduced the New Vehicle Security Assessment.

These were designed to combat the rise in vehicle crime of the time and led to the categorisations for Thatcham-approved devices, which has since become an industry benchmark.

Thatcham certification now provides consumers, and the industry at large, reassurance that the products available have been tested and meet the highest independent standards of functionality, design and performance. This covers everything from alarms, immobilisers and, of course, car trackers.

What Benefits Do You Get By Buying a Thatcham-Approved Tracker From Us?

As we’ve just touched upon, buying a car security system that has been ‘Thatcham-approved’ means you’re going to get a device that has been well tested and functions as expected, but what does that mean to you as a consumer?

The fact that our devices are Thatcham-approved means that you get some incredible benefits;

Access to real-time tracking, journey history, low battery, motion and disconnect alerts, geo-fencing and monitoring through dedicated smartphone apps.
24 hour control centre management.
Trackers approved by some of the leading car manufacturers including BMW, Range Rover, Jaguar and Volkswagen.
UK and European coverage.
Transferable between vehicles.
Installation by friendly, trained staff anywhere in the UK.

What’s The Main Differences between an S5 and S7 Tracker?

Two of the terms you’ll see a lot when it comes to Thatcham-approved trackers are S5 and S7. These are Thatcham categorisations for car trackers, S5 being the highest. Whilst both offer exceptional levels of security and fantastic features, they share a multitude of important functionality. Both will, for example, give you global coverage, access to a 24/7 control room for monitoring purposes and a wealth of tools to help you manage your vehicle, S5 trackers have one important difference.

Trackers that are rated as S5, which is Thatcham’s highest rating, include Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) tags. These small pieces of technological wonder mean that the vehicle simply will not start if the tags are not in close proximity. If they’re not, the vehicle remains immobilised.

If you’re looking for your perfect Thatcham-approved car tracker, this page is the perfect starting point for you. If you need any help, our dedicated team of experts are on hand to help you find the right tracker for you and help you get it installed no matter where in the UK you are.

FAQs

When can you fit my tracker?

We will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your order (Mon-Fri) to arrange a fitting appointment and we aim to have your tracker installed within 2-5 working days. This may be longer during busy periods or if you live in a hard to reach location. Please note: we cannot confirm a fitting date until we receive your confirmed order. We always try our best to accommodate your requirements. In the unlikely event we are unable to carry out your install within a reasonable timeframe, you’re welcome to a full refund.

What’s the difference between an S5 and S7 tracker?

S5 is the highest Thatcham category and features ADR (Automatic Driver Recognition). The authorised driver is required to carry a tag, card or smartphone (with an encrypted app installed) to identify the driver. S7 trackers are the lower category of the two and don’t have this feature. An S5 tracker will alert you in more theft scenarios than an S7 tracker would. Driver recognition aside, S5 and S7 systems otherwise have the same basic features, such as 24/7 control room monitoring, internal backup battery and protection against the vehicle being towed or lifted away. All of our S5 and S7 trackers (with exception of the Tracker Monitor and Tracker Retrieve) also come with a dedicated smartphone app, which allows you to see the vehicle’s location among many other useful features.

What is an S5+ Tracker?

Unlike categories S5 and S7, S5+ is NOT a Thatcham category. It’s a name used in the trade for a S5 tracker which also has the addition of remote immobilisation. Remote immobilisation allows the staff at the 24/7 control centre to immobilise the vehicle in a theft situation. Immobilisation is not part of the Thatcham criteria so it’s unlikely to be an insurance requirement, but it’s a useful tool in the fight against vehicle theft. Some of our S5+ trackers allow the customer to remotely immobilise the vehicle from a smartphone app. Other S5+ systems include “no tag, no start” technology, preventing the vehicle from being driven if the ADR (automatic driver recognition) tag is not within the proximity of the vehicle.

Who are Thatcham?

Thatcham are the only “not for profit” insurer funded research centre in the UK and have been at the forefront of vehicle security since the 90s. Thatcham created the S5 and S7 certification for vehicle tracking systems, which verifies the functionality, design and performance of the products. Thatcham are NOT a brand of tracker, they are more like a governing body.

Which tracker should I choose?

Please see our helpful "Tracker Selector" tool to help you choose. If you’re still unsure, feel free to call us, drop us an email or use the chat feature on our homepage.

Do I need to pay a subscription fee?

All of our trackers require you to pay a subscription fee. Depending on which tracker you choose, your subscription fee is either collected by us at checkout, or paid directly to the tracking manufacturer after installation. The tracker will not operate without a subscription (think of it like buying a mobile phone without a contract). Your subscription fee covers things like the 24/7/365 staffed control-room monitoring (if your product is insurance approved), data charges to allow the tracker to communicate on the GSM network, ongoing technical support and the administration of your tracking account.

Will I get an insurance certificate?

If you’ve purchased an insurance-approved product, yes. Once your installation has been completed and your subscription fee has been paid, you will be issued with a certificate of installation which you can give to your insurer. Depending on your product, the certificate can either be accessed straight away via your online portal or it will be emailed to you by the tracking manufacturer within 48 hours.

Can you install the tracker at my address?

Yes, we come to you. We provide a fully mobile service and will visit your home or work address at a time convenient to you.

Can you install the tracker at the dealership before I collect the vehicle?

Yes, we regularly visit car and motorhome dealerships throughout the UK to install our tracking products. All you need to do is get the dealership’s permission and let them know when to expect us.

How long does the installation take?

The installation process usually takes 1-2 hours.

Does your free installation service cover the whole of the UK?

Our free installation service covers 99% of the UK mainland. However, we may not be able to cover some remote locations (such as parts of the Scottish highlands). Installation lead times may vary depending on your location too. If you live in a remote/rural location, feel free to contact us before placing your order.

Will fitting a tracker void my warranty?

To date, we have had zero instances of a customer’s warranty being affected after one of our installations. We use only Thatcham approved installation procedures and connection methods. However, due to the complex variations in manufacturer’s warranties, it is your responsibility to check that having a specific product installed to your vehicle does not affect your vehicle’s warranty agreement.

What does tracker fitting involve?

The tracker will be covertly installed in a hidden location within the vehicle. Our Thatcham approved engineer will decide on the most suitable location within your particular vehicle. The tracker will usually be connected to the vehicle electrical system using industry standard connection methods and all wiring will be concealed. The tracker will then be fully tested and activated by the engineer.

Will the tracker drain my battery?

The current drain on our trackers when the vehicle is parked is minimal (milliamps). This level of current drain is negligible and will not affect the vehicle’s electronics or your ability to start the engine.

What happens if my vehicle is stolen?

Depending on your tracker model and the theft method used, you may receive a phone call or alert from the trained staff at the 24/7 control centre within a few seconds of your car being stolen. In some other scenarios you would report the vehicle stolen using the number provided to you in your welcome pack. Once the vehicle is confirmed to be stolen, expert staff liaise with police to recover the vehicle.

Could the thieves not just rip the tracker out?

Our trackers are covertly installed by our expert engineers and have around a 96% recovery rate (according to one of our brand partners). It’s not impossible for a thief to find a tracker, but it’s quite rare.

Do I need immobilisation with my tracker? How does it work?

Since 2019, immobilisation is no longer part of the Thatcham criteria when it comes to trackers. So it’s likely that you don’t need a tracking system with immobilisation to meet your insurance requirements. However if you want extra peace of mind, you may wish to consider immobilisation. With our S5 trackers with immobilisation (sometimes referred to as S5+ trackers), the vehicle can be immobilised remotely by the staff at the 24/7/365 control centre in the event of a theft. Some of our systems also allow the customer to remotely immobilise the vehicle from a smartphone app. Other systems include “no tag, no start” technology, preventing the vehicle from being started if the ADR (automatic driver recognition) tag is not within the proximity of the vehicle. We don’t install immobilisation to hybrid or electric vehicles.

Will my tracker work abroad?

All of our S5 and S7 trackers provide European coverage as standard and often global coverage. If you need more information on exactly which countries your chosen tracker operates in, we recommend contacting the tracker manufacturer directly for confirmation.

Do your trackers work on electric and hybrid vehicles?

Our full range of S5 and S7 tracking systems are compatible with with electric and hybrid vehicles, with the exception of our trackers which feature the immobilisation feature (S5+). We don’t install immobilisation to hybrid or electric vehicles.

Can I transfer my tracker when I buy a new vehicle?

All of our trackers, with exception of the “Tracker” brand, can be transferred between vehicles. This is a chargeable service and you can contact us for a quote.

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