Most of today’s cars come with pretty comprehensive alarm and immobiliser systems as standard car security. Unfortunately, these are not always enough to deter someone who might like the look of your pride and joy, so aftermarket car security products will be needed. Most of us realise that if someone is determined enough to steal your car, they eventually will, no matter what you do, but by deterring all but the most determined of thieves, you could save yourself a lot of heartache and money.
Today’s car security and tracker systems are light years ahead of the unreliable key or switch-operated systems of years gone by when a falsely activated wailing car alarm became such a familiar occurrence that most people routinely ignored them. The reliability of today’s systems is unquestionably superior, but the hi-tech approach has meant that thieves have had to get clever to continue plying their trade; keyless car theft, turbo decoder theft, transponder key cloning and on-board diagnostics (OBD) compromise are just a few of the methods practised by today’s car thieves.
But it’s not all bad; there are ways to deter the thief, and some are surprisingly straightforward and inexpensive to implement, like the common steering wheel lock. We’ve had a look around to see the best car security products you can take to lessen the chances of your vehicle going on that missing list.
The best car security product at a glance:
Editor’s choice: Nextbase 522GW Dash Cam – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best car security product for visible deterrent: Disklok Steering Wheel Full Cover – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best car security feature for vehicle tracking: Winnes GPS Tracker – Buy now from Amazon UK
The best car security products in detail:
Editor's Choice
One of the best sets we've come across lately is the Nextbase 522GW dual dash cam. Capturing footage of the interior as well as the road ahead, this clever dash cam will be able to record a break-in.
Pros
- GPS tracking
- Easy to use
Cons
- It may in itself attract thieves
Best Faraday pouch
Rrp: £22.99
Rrp: £22.99
This option from Specialist Automotive Solutions contains both a pouch and a box so you can keep your keys safe both at home and out in public. The box is big enough to hold a couple of car fobs and is relatively stylish too. It's a low-tech solution to a high-tech crime and one of the most cost-effective ways of keeping your car safe.
Pros
- Easy car security upgrade
- Box and pouch included
Cons
- Latch could be nicer
Best car tracker
This magnetic tracker from Winnes is easy to fit in a discreetly hidden place in or on your vehicle. As it's hidden, the thief won't know their movements are being observed, allowing you to track their whereabouts. It has an IP58 waterproof certification, up to 90 days battery life, and gives real-time tracking and positioning to your smartphone, tablet or PC to help with vehicle recovery.
Pros
- Easy to fit
- Discreet
Cons
- Doesn't prevent theft
Best car key tracker
The Tile Pro has a battery life of up to 12 months and a Bluetooth range of up to 120 metres. It works with both Apple and Android phones, and best of all, it's water resistant (IP67).
Pros
- Keep your keys safe
- Super easy to use
Cons
- Battery isn't rechargeable
Best steering wheel lock
This Stoplock wheel lock works largely as a visual deterrent but also makes use of hardened internals and an anti-drill lock to stop any removal attempt and slow down any potential theft.
Pros
- Visual deterrent
- Easy to fit
Cons
- Check it fits your wheel
Best full-wheel lock
The Disklok has been awarded the 'Secured by Design' accreditation by the official UK police initiative and the 'Sold Secure' Automotive Gold Rating certification. It comes in three sizes to suit different kinds of vehicles.
Pros
- Highly visual presence
- Tough, difficult-to-defeat materials
Cons
- Hard to store
Best wheel clamp
Rrp: £33.24
Rrp: £33.24
This universal wheel clamp from Maypole can be used on most vehicles with 13 to 17-inch wheels to prevent thieves from making off with your pride and joy. It's highly visible and tough, and good luck to anyone trying to stealthily remove it! It's also the perfect solution for protecting vehicles that may be out of use for a period of time.
Pros
- Tough to break
- Visible deterrent
Cons
- Pretty extreme
Some steps you can take to reduce the chances of car theft:
Lock your car: Even if you will only be leaving it for a short period of time. It may sound obvious, but an unlocked car is one of the most common ways the opportunist thief gains access to vehicles.
Secure Your Keys: Keep your keys secure and never leave them in the car or easily accessible places. We mentioned Faraday boxes and pouches earlier; it’s worth investing in these if you have keyless entry.
Don’t leave valuables in plain sight: Remove any valuable items from your car or at least keep them out of sight. Items like laptops, smartphones, bags, and other attractive, valuable items can attract thieves.
Park in well-lit and populated areas: When parking, choose well-lit areas with a good amount of pedestrian traffic. Thieves are less likely to target vehicles in visible and busy locations.
Install visible deterrents: Visible deterrents such as wheel clamps or visible alarm system decals can discourage potential thieves from targeting your vehicle.
Be vigilant: Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in unfamiliar or high-crime areas. If you notice any suspicious activity near your car, report it to the authorities.
Alex Boyd is a Commercial Content Writer at Bauer Media writing for Parker’s and CAR and loves travel, gardening, DIY and music.
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