How Effective Are Immobilisers Against Theft? | GVE London – Blog

It is an absolute tragedy when an individual’s car gets stolen. It leaves you angry, upset, hopeless—a whole range of emotions are felt within. However, thankfully, gone are the days when a thief could just break open the locks, hotwire the car, and ride off into the sunset. New and modern cars are equipped with plenty of safety features, such as an immobiliser. However, marketing claims aside, how effective is it really? Can it really stop car thieves, or are they finding ways around it? Let’s break it down.

What Is an Immobiliser and How Does It Work?

An immobiliser is a modern-day feature installed within cars to prevent theft. The easiest way to understand it is to compare it to the two-factor authentication we’re so used to these days. Back in the day, you inserted a key into the ignition, twisted it, and you were rolling. Nowadays, it’s a bit different. An immobiliser is an electronic device built into your vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU) and works with a transponder chip inside the key or fob. When you try to start the car, the system checks if it’s the right key and turns on only if the keys match.

How Effective Are Immobilisers?

Car Immobilisers are undeniably effective—let us not beat around the bush on that fact. Post-1998, they became mandatory in the UK, and car theft dropped significantly because of it. A study by Thatcham Research showed that vehicles with immobilisers were 40% less likely to be stolen compared to older models without them. That’s a huge difference.

The same still stands today. Thieves, when they know a car is equipped with an immobiliser, are reluctant to try and steal it.

But Are They Bullet Proof?

No security measure is bulletproof with a 100% guaranteed rate of success. When a car owner installs a security device like a supercar tracker or an immobiliser, they must have realistic expectations that this can prevent theft, not completely stop it with no margin for error. As safety measures get upgraded, so do the countermeasures used by bad characters.

Techniques like relay attacks, cloning the key, or using jamming devices are often used to bypass the security system. Again, we’ll reiterate the point that these security measures are a must-have for any car owner, but one must have realistic expectations that there is always that odd possibility of something happening.

Read Also: Why Immobilisers Are a Must-Have for Luxury Car Owners?

How to Make Your Immobiliser More Effective

Since criminals are finding ways to bypass vehicle immobilisers, extra precautions are a smart move. Here’s how you can strengthen your car’s security:

• Use a Faraday Pouch – This blocks the signal from your key fob, making relay attacks useless.
• Install a Secondary Immobiliser – Additional security systems, like ghost immobilisers, require a PIN code or sequence to start the car.
• Park Smart – If possible, park in a well-lit area or a garage. CCTV cameras are also a great deterrent.
• Regular Software Updates – Car manufacturers often release updates to improve security.

Final Thoughts

Immobilisers have made a massive impact in reducing overall car theft and helping car owners sleep easy. However, they aren’t unbreakable. It is a must to supplement them with other security measures like supercar trackers and additional devices.

For assistance with the maintenance of these security systems, as well as their installation and anything related to high-end automotives, visit GVE London—the finest supercar service centre in West London, capable of everything from regular servicing to expensive repairs and modifications. Contact us today!

Remember, at the end of the day, no single solution is perfect. But when combined with good habits and extra security layers, an immobiliser remains one of the best defences against car theft.