Immobiliser Installation Cost and Process: What to Expect for Luxury Cars | GVE London – Blog

Imagine working super hard your whole life, and dreaming of one day buying that car you’ve had the poster for on your bedroom wall forever that you got from an issue of the Top Gear. Finally, the day comes when it’s within your possession, you’ve made the dream come true. You keep it nice and shiny, ride around town with your mates in it, and take your partner out on a long drive down the most scenic of roads; only for it to be stolen on some random Tuesday night. 

Not the nicest of hypothetical scenarios out there, indeed. However, it is not far-fetched considering the rising rates of car theft in the UK, with over 129,159 vehicles stolen between April 2023 and March 2024, as reports show. 

We purposely started this blog on said grim note to make the point that having a security device like an immobiliser installed is definitely worth the investment, and almost a must-have in today’s day and age.

What is an Immobiliser?

To understand what an immobiliser does, think of a security guard for an office building. Until the time you don’t have the right card or perhaps know the combination to the office building, he’s not going to let you know. That is, in a nutshell, what an immobiliser does. It sends a signal from itself (key or fob) to the  Engine Control Unit (ECU). If both match, the car fires up. If they don’t, their car still refuses to turn on. It is not just ignition, immobilisers can disable other aspects of your car too in a case of forced entry like fuel supply. 

And by the way, hot-wiring—the classic way we see thieves steal a car in movies by connecting a bunch of wires underneath the steering wheel—won’t work here either.

Read Also: DIY vs Professional IMMOBILISER Installation: Which Is Right for Your Car?

Making a Wise Choice

To cover all the grounds, it is best to combine an immobiliser with a supercar tracker, which is essentially a GPS. To get the best of both worlds, use SmarTrack trackers, which combine the two. This is far more convenient than making two separate purchases. Now, let’s get to immobiliser installation:

Finding the Right Pick

Choosing the right immobiliser is paramount because if it is not compatible with your vehicle, it’s rendered useless. Research compatibility and see what features it offers. Common features include remote locking, GPS tracking, or mobile app integration. We recommend using the SmarTrack supercar tracker, which acts as both an immobiliser and GPS.

DIY or Professional Installation

A big question that looms over the heads of car enthusiasts all over the world is “Can I do it myself?” And indeed, why not? If you’ve got the time, tools, and knowledge to perform the installation yourself, go for it! Here is all you’ll need:

• A wiring diagram for your car (find this in the manual or online)
• Screwdrivers and pliers
• Electrical connectors and tape
• The immobiliser kit (with instructions)
• Access to ignition, fuel pump, and starter motor wiring

Once you’ve got everything set, perform the installation using the manual. Remember, safety first, so disconnect the batteries beforehand. Once you’re all done, reconnect the battery and try starting the car without the right fob. If it doesn’t start, that means success!

Professional Installation

If DIY isn’t your thing, and you’d rather avoid the risks associated with working on luxury cars—given their more complex electrical systems—it’s best to reach out to a supercar service centre like GVE London for immobiliser installations. They’ve got the right tools and expertise to seamlessly integrate immobilisers into your car’s system without causing any damage.

Conclusion

Immobilisers are a must-have if you’ve got a luxury car, or even a regular car that you care about. With the rise of thefts and the ever-looming sense of worry caused by it, this can be greatly reduced by having a simple security device like the SmarTrack supercar tracker installed on your car. If you’d like assistance with the installation procedure, get in touch with GVE London. Our showroom specialises in high-end vehicles, performing general repairs and service along with modifications and customisations, detailing, PPF, and more. Get in touch with us to know more.