Aftermarket immobilisers - striking fear into my heart?

[ChemicalChaos]

Morning all,

Whilst getting insurance quotes for my latest purchase, the brokers have so far only been able to get me quotes that require a Thatcham approved immobiliser due to the vehicle value, specialist nature, and the unknown technology of the factory immobiliser (being a slightly left field choice of fresh American import built in 2005).

Now, I've been around enough 90s performance fodder to see many a dodgily designed or badly fitted system that renders the car somewhat TOO immobilised.....

I'm assured that modern companies are a different kettle of fish, a d this shouldn't be an issue any more. Can anyone please give me any good tips on ones to use or ones to avoid?

I've found one called Tracker Shop UK that promises faff free Thatcham Cat 2 systems, installed by a mobile fitter within 3 days of ordering, at a good price, and they have 4.9/5 reviews on trust pilot. Seems almost too good to be true?

Thanks in advance!

[samoht]

I've had a couple of JDM imports to which I had to get aftermarket immobilisers fitted, never caused a problem (2007-22). So I guess they're quite a lot better than they used to be in the bad old days. Sorry I don't remember the brands.

[LARK F1 GTR]

It might be worth getting a CAT1 alarm & immobiliser?

[alscar]

Tracker shop have been around for probably 10 years +
If the Insurer is happy just to accept a Thatcham 2 grading then sounds like your choice ticks the box.
I know some immobilisers also come with a tracker facility but that may or may not be overkill.
Equally some of the “ ghost “ immobilisers can require pin input of lots of numbers ( up to 20 ) which would be a right pita.

[Jamescrs]

Ghost immobilisers are good but last time I checked they weren't Thatcham approved, just looked again and the websites that sell it all seem to try and gloss over that fact, if Thatcham approval is mandated by the insurer probably best to look elsewhere

[J4CKO]

I have a Viper 106V on my Fiesta ST, which is one of the most desirable cars in the UK, with ner do wells it is anyway.

That’s a little key fob you plug in and you then have 30 seconds to start the car, been on four years and no issues.

I too remember having them being a pain, I had halfords for one, the high point was the wire stretched through the door frame getting squished, I took it back and had them remove it and refund me, had no confidence in it.

The Viper was about £260 fitted so will be a bit more now I expect.

[Puddenchucker]

I've had a Clifford system in the past that worked faultlessly.

However, the quality of the installation can often determine how good and reliable the system is.
The best system can be rendered useless if fitted incorrectly or with poor workmanship.