Car security - immobilisers , faraday and change of plate
Discussion
Hi All
I am interested in peoples views on best way to reduce the risk of a new car being stolen which is most often parked on the street
I have done quite a bit of searching for info and I understand some car manufacturers state if you have an extra immobilser fitted e.g, Ghost II then your new car warranty is void. I therefore have been thinking of other options to secure my car, and am now thinking the best option would be to use a steering wheel lock, faraday pouch and possibly have the new numberplate changed so it gives the impression the car is older than it is
Has anyone changed their numberplate for this reason and do you think there would be any disadvanatges?Any advice on car security please ?
Thanks for your thoughts
I am interested in peoples views on best way to reduce the risk of a new car being stolen which is most often parked on the street
I have done quite a bit of searching for info and I understand some car manufacturers state if you have an extra immobilser fitted e.g, Ghost II then your new car warranty is void. I therefore have been thinking of other options to secure my car, and am now thinking the best option would be to use a steering wheel lock, faraday pouch and possibly have the new numberplate changed so it gives the impression the car is older than it is
Has anyone changed their numberplate for this reason and do you think there would be any disadvanatges?Any advice on car security please ?
Thanks for your thoughts
The Faraday pouches I bought didn’t work when tested alongside my car - I sent them back. I now have little faraday cylindrical tins bought off Amazon with tight fitting lids that definitely block the key signal. Test what you buy!
I have a scorpion s5 tracker with a fob type immobiliser that stops the car from driving if the fob isn’t present. I’d always go for an old school relay immobiliser that physically cuts a circuit or two.
I’ve had a Ghost and it’s a PITA pressing the buttons imho - other people love them.
Something visible is always useful too - a decent steering lock will at least slow them down.
Numberplate - anyone stealing expensive cars will know exactly what it is, what it’s worth, it’s age, where the ghost will be fitted - there’s only a couple of places per model from what I was told - and exactly what’s needed to steal it. I did read concealing the VIN in the windscreen could work as that may be how they code/fake keys.
I have a scorpion s5 tracker with a fob type immobiliser that stops the car from driving if the fob isn’t present. I’d always go for an old school relay immobiliser that physically cuts a circuit or two.
I’ve had a Ghost and it’s a PITA pressing the buttons imho - other people love them.
Something visible is always useful too - a decent steering lock will at least slow them down.
Numberplate - anyone stealing expensive cars will know exactly what it is, what it’s worth, it’s age, where the ghost will be fitted - there’s only a couple of places per model from what I was told - and exactly what’s needed to steal it. I did read concealing the VIN in the windscreen could work as that may be how they code/fake keys.
I had my car stolen last October. A 2 month old M135i, police think it was specifically targeted.
I had major issues with it, insurance not paying out, claimed I'd cancelled the police etc post here about it
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
(so tip one, make sure you have very decent insurance in place)
But we did get it back after a month and looked into the means of securing it. A simple steering-wheel lock is a perfect initial defence, stops the opportunist. Ghost immobilisers are also superb and pretty much stop it being stolen, but a little more expensive, I disagree with what is said above - they are pretty much failsafe (ours is at least) and the car will remain immobilised even if they found it. Worth it IMO.
Driveway lock posts only work on certain driveways, but again stop the opportunist.
Beyond that, trackers are good but fallible. We've put three different brands of 'AirTag' type devices hidden in random locations.
We also use a faraday box in the house (and check it works).
I had major issues with it, insurance not paying out, claimed I'd cancelled the police etc post here about it
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...(so tip one, make sure you have very decent insurance in place)
But we did get it back after a month and looked into the means of securing it. A simple steering-wheel lock is a perfect initial defence, stops the opportunist. Ghost immobilisers are also superb and pretty much stop it being stolen, but a little more expensive, I disagree with what is said above - they are pretty much failsafe (ours is at least) and the car will remain immobilised even if they found it. Worth it IMO.
Driveway lock posts only work on certain driveways, but again stop the opportunist.
Beyond that, trackers are good but fallible. We've put three different brands of 'AirTag' type devices hidden in random locations.
We also use a faraday box in the house (and check it works).
Edited by Wardy78 on Friday 14th February 16:16
My friend just had his 2017 3 series stolen by keyless theft, he plans to implement countermeasures on his next car!
The first thing he is doing is fitting a hidden switch which deactivates the start button on the car - this should be fairly simple to install and operate on a daily basis, it means even if the key is relayed the thief will be unable to start it and will assume it has something like a ghost fitted and hopefully give up.
The first thing he is doing is fitting a hidden switch which deactivates the start button on the car - this should be fairly simple to install and operate on a daily basis, it means even if the key is relayed the thief will be unable to start it and will assume it has something like a ghost fitted and hopefully give up.
Percy Cushion said:
Get a tracker fitted. At least then, if it does get stolen, you’ve a good chance of getting it back
Unless it was one of my classic cars being stolen, I wouldn't want a modern car back that some scrot had helped themselves to and then done God knows what to - just take the insurance settlement and get a replacement. You're actually much safer keeping your car on the street than on your drive....I actually feel a lot more relaxed leaving my car on the road away from the house on my quiet cul-de-sac than I would if I had a drive.
When it's on your drive it's very easy for someone to know which house to burgle for the keys, when it's a random car on a street impossible.
I had a car stolen from when I lived with my parents in 2011 and it was on their drive, I feel a lot safer now than then, and would maybe even avoid using a drive even if I did have one.
When it's on your drive it's very easy for someone to know which house to burgle for the keys, when it's a random car on a street impossible.
I had a car stolen from when I lived with my parents in 2011 and it was on their drive, I feel a lot safer now than then, and would maybe even avoid using a drive even if I did have one.
gregpot2000 said:
You're actually much safer keeping your car on the street than on your drive....I actually feel a lot more relaxed leaving my car on the road away from the house on my quiet cul-de-sac than I would if I had a drive.
When it's on your drive it's very easy for someone to know which house to burgle for the keys, when it's a random car on a street impossible.
I had a car stolen from when I lived with my parents in 2011 and it was on their drive, I feel a lot safer now than then, and would maybe even avoid using a drive even if I did have one.
The police with our robbery made a very good point with this, away from the Daily Mail rhetoric. Our 15yr old daughter was inside the house alone, thankfully oblivious. We started down the 'what if she'd disturbed them' line of thought, the police explained.When it's on your drive it's very easy for someone to know which house to burgle for the keys, when it's a random car on a street impossible.
I had a car stolen from when I lived with my parents in 2011 and it was on their drive, I feel a lot safer now than then, and would maybe even avoid using a drive even if I did have one.
These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
CKY said:
Unless it was one of my classic cars being stolen, I wouldn't want a modern car back that some scrot had helped themselves to and then done God knows what to - just take the insurance settlement and get a replacement.
Maybe if it is a joyrider/opportunist, but that's a different kind of thief. We got ours back, it had a scuff on the bumper and a bent suspension arm. The only expensive bit was where they had prised the GPS unit out of the roof lining, no damage, but the unit was £750 plus fitting. I looked at the car MPG history, the 200 miles it did whilst it was stolen were more gently driven (better MPG) than when I drive it. It was never out into 'sport' mode, spent over half its time in 'EcoPro'. It wasn't abused. The only time it was driven harder was on the day of the theft.
Wardy78 said:
The police with our robbery made a very good point with this, away from the Daily Mail rhetoric. Our 15yr old daughter was inside the house alone, thankfully oblivious. We started down the 'what if she'd disturbed them' line of thought, the police explained.
These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
Of course I don't doubt if they really want your car they will track your movements. But again living on a cul-de-sac out of the way I would likely notice this and it's a lot harder for them to watch me specifically coming and going - Than simply driving around at 3am saying I'll take that one, that one, and that one.These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
A lot of the issue I have in West Yorkshire is we are so close to many motorways, so the scum frequently travel from Manchester / Bradford etc and just scope out cars within 10mins of a motorway junction, take the car and straight back home on the motorway
Edited by gregpot2000 on Friday 14th February 17:28
Many people recommend the Ghost, and it seems to be a very good product.
The problem is that manufacturers are taking a very hard line now, as the Ghost directly accesses the cars central canbus systems. A number of manufacturers are refusing to allow warranty claims on vehicles fitted with a Ghost - even if the claim is unrelated to the Ghost or even to electronics generally.
I have a JLR product, and my dealer has explicitly told me that the manufacturers warranty will be invalidated if I fit a Ghost immobiliser. I simply cannot take that risk on a £100K car - especially as complex as it is. In addition, my insurer has pointed out that Ghost is not recognised by the Thatcham insurance industry approval process.
Loads of people on this forum say "Fit a Ghost and you are sorted".
It really is not that simple.
The problem is that manufacturers are taking a very hard line now, as the Ghost directly accesses the cars central canbus systems. A number of manufacturers are refusing to allow warranty claims on vehicles fitted with a Ghost - even if the claim is unrelated to the Ghost or even to electronics generally.
I have a JLR product, and my dealer has explicitly told me that the manufacturers warranty will be invalidated if I fit a Ghost immobiliser. I simply cannot take that risk on a £100K car - especially as complex as it is. In addition, my insurer has pointed out that Ghost is not recognised by the Thatcham insurance industry approval process.
Loads of people on this forum say "Fit a Ghost and you are sorted".
It really is not that simple.
My Tesla has a PIN to Drive function… put the code in or the car doesn’t go. A built-in Ghost, if you will. Why-oh-why does no one else do something like this, especially if they’re invalidating these warranties?! Maybe they want their cars nicked so they can sell more new ones… 
Ultimately it’s pretty hard to stop the determined scumbag, but I think a decent steering wheel lock and faraday-blocked keys will halt the vast, vast majority. Make it easier to pinch the car down the road and that’s what they’ll do.
Ultimately it’s pretty hard to stop the determined scumbag, but I think a decent steering wheel lock and faraday-blocked keys will halt the vast, vast majority. Make it easier to pinch the car down the road and that’s what they’ll do.
On my previous BMW M240i I asked BMW's warranty company if they would cover it with a Ghost immobiliser fitted and they said categorically "No".
I chose to cancel the insured warranty instead but I never had any issues with anyone trying to take the car in the three years I owned it. I now have an M4 and the only security |I have on the car is a disklok and faraday pouch but again owned it 18 months now and no issues.
My house is very secure after I had an Audi A4 stolen in a Burglary back in 2018.
I chose to cancel the insured warranty instead but I never had any issues with anyone trying to take the car in the three years I owned it. I now have an M4 and the only security |I have on the car is a disklok and faraday pouch but again owned it 18 months now and no issues.
My house is very secure after I had an Audi A4 stolen in a Burglary back in 2018.
gregpot2000 said:
Wardy78 said:
The police with our robbery made a very good point with this, away from the Daily Mail rhetoric. Our 15yr old daughter was inside the house alone, thankfully oblivious. We started down the 'what if she'd disturbed them' line of thought, the police explained.
These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
Of course I don't doubt if they really want your car they will track your movements. But again living on a cul-de-sac out of the way I would likely notice this and it's a lot harder for them to watch me specifically coming and going - Than simply driving around at 3am saying I'll take that one, that one, and that one.These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
A lot of the issue I have in West Yorkshire is we are so close to many motorways, so the scum frequently travel from Manchester / Bradford etc and just scope out cars within 10mins of a motorway junction, take the car and straight back home on the motorway
Edited by gregpot2000 on Friday 14th February 17:28
Wardy78 said:
The police with our robbery made a very good point with this, away from the Daily Mail rhetoric. Our 15yr old daughter was inside the house alone, thankfully oblivious. We started down the 'what if she'd disturbed them' line of thought, the police explained.
These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
We could have done with a little bit of reality like this back when the Gimp squad were getting excited about saying ‘Dominate the stairs’ and insisting that all such thief’s came prepared for torture.These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
Hol said:
Wardy78 said:
The police with our robbery made a very good point with this, away from the Daily Mail rhetoric. Our 15yr old daughter was inside the house alone, thankfully oblivious. We started down the 'what if she'd disturbed them' line of thought, the police explained.
These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
We could have done with a little bit of reality like this back when the Gimp squad were getting excited about saying ‘Dominate the stairs’ and insisting that all such thief’s came prepared for torture.These are professionals. They want to get in and out, they did with ours. They grabbed some handbags because they were there, but did no damage to the house or property inside, they were in and out in seconds. They'd also jammed the WiFi so the Ring doorbell didn't work.
Here's the important aspect. These people know they'll get caught at somepoint. They'll get 3-4yrs, serve 18 months inside with their mates in a soft prison, get looked after, come out, do the same thing again. It's a profession.
BUT if they encountered someone in the house, not even threatened, but if that person FELT threatened, it would be Aggravated Burglary. That's 14 years, they'll serve 6-8, in a higher security prison NOT with their mates, not looked after and repeat offences will then be treated the same.
They will avoid that at all costs. They wouldn't enter a house if they thought anyone was inside. If they hear someone inside, they will run. It not worth the risk.
As for leaving it on the road, if they want your car, they will track your movements, they will know which house for which car. Again, Police advice.
I think I’ll stick to the Daily Mail viewpoint on this if that’s ok.
I had a ghost 2 on my transporter, took it off after 3 months as was just a pain in the arse for me, wife for stuck down the shops at night with it once and had to wait ages for it to clear itself. I kept forgetting it was on and tried to start it etc.
They do work really well, just not for me!
They do work really well, just not for me!
For those saying that a Ghost Immobiliser would invalidate the warranty. The first one specifically says that the Ghost does not invalidate the car warranty:-
https://onyxperformance.co.uk/autowatch-ghost-immo...
https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/immobiliser...
https://onyxperformance.co.uk/autowatch-ghost-immo...
https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/immobiliser...
bad company said:
For those saying that a Ghost Immobiliser would invalidate the warranty. The first one specifically says that the Ghost does not invalidate the car warranty:-
https://onyxperformance.co.uk/autowatch-ghost-immo...
https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/immobiliser...
Coincidentally a Porsche salesman only said to me yesterday that a Ghost WILL invalidate their warranty.https://onyxperformance.co.uk/autowatch-ghost-immo...
https://f92.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/immobiliser...
Lexus - again only a service advisor so not the actual official manufacturer - have said the same.
The only way to be sure is to speak to a manufacturers customer service dept and get something in writing.
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