What is a car immobiliser?

Key Takeaways:

• Car immobilisers prevent your vehicle from starting without the correct key signal, making them a vital anti-theft tool.
• Traditional immobilisers can be bypassed by advanced theft methods like relay attacks, highlighting the need for upgraded security.
• Aftermarket immobilisers offer enhanced protection with unique PIN codes and no visible signs, making them harder to detect and hack.
• Expert installation of systems, like the Ghost Immobiliser, provides peace of mind for all types of vehicle owner.

Car theft is a serious concern for vehicle owners, and in 2023/24, England and Wales reached a 15-year high for car thefts with 129,159 vehicles being recorded as stolen, the Office for National Statistics reported.

That’s slightly down from 130,119 the previous year, but it’s still 356 vehicles being stolen daily, or one every 8.5 minutes.

The scale of car crime means more of us are looking at installing sophisticated technologies to safeguard our vehicles.

Among these, the car immobiliser stands out as a major defence in modern car security.

Here, we look at the concept of car immobilisers, their functionality and their significance in protecting vehicles – including the innovative Ghost Immobiliser offered by Ghost Installations.

A car immobiliser explained

A car immobiliser is an electronic device which prevents your car from being started unless the correct key is used – the chip in the fob sends a signal which is detected and recognised by the ignition system.

They’ve been a standard feature in vehicles manufactured and bought in the UK since the late 1990s in a bid to tackle rising car theft rates.

They are more effective than locks and other alarms, which may deter most car thieves.

However, immobilisers can still be bypassed, for example, if car thieves use a relay device to detect the key fob signal and send it to the car. The car’s ignition thinks the key is nearby and will unlock the doors, and start the engine in many models.

It’s important to appreciate that factory-fitted immobilisers are highly effective in tackling most car thieves and that aftermarket solutions are becoming popular for their advanced features, especially among the owners of prestige or unique vehicles.

That’s because aftermarket immobilisers, such as those installed by Ghost Installations, offer a high level of security for a wide range of vehicles to deal with increasingly sophisticated theft techniques, such as key cloning or key fob signal hacking.

Another potential bonus to protecting your car is that aftermarket immobilisers can help bring lower insurance premiums, because insurers tend to view these immobilisers favourably for preventing car theft.

However, not all car security immobilisers are created equal.

So, while a factory-fitted system will offer protection against theft, for advanced capabilities, you’ll need to consider an aftermarket option to deal with the latest techniques being used by car thieves.

For growing numbers of car owners, that means looking at the impressive level of security that a Ghost Immobiliser brings.

The Ghost Immobiliser: A revolutionary approach

The Ghost Immobiliser, developed by car security tech experts at Autowatch and expertly installed by Ghost Installations, is a breakthrough in vehicle security.

Unlike factory-fitted immobilisers that require a key fob or visible warning signs, the Ghost Immobiliser uses a unique PIN code, which is defined by the owner, and uses the vehicle’s existing buttons.

These buttons can be on the dashboard, steering wheel or centre console.

This approach means that with no external signs to betray the device’s presence, it will be very difficult for vehicle thieves to detect or disable it.

How does it work?

Since the Ghost Immobiliser’s PIN code sequence can involve up to 20 button presses, it means that it’s not only difficult to crack, but it’s a personalised code that only you know.

Without the correct PIN, the vehicle cannot be started, even if the thief has the physical car key or tries hacking or cloning to bypass the system.

It helps too that vehicle owners can also use a smartphone app to disarm the system automatically when within a 5-10 metre range by using a Bluetooth connection.

This means there’s no need to input the PIN for every journey, streamlining the driving experience while maintaining robust protection.

Installing a Ghost Immobiliser

For the expert installation of a Ghost Immobiliser, you’ll need the team at Ghost Installations.

Not only are we car security experts, but we also ensure that the Ghost is fitted correctly, and the work complies with TASSA (Tracker and Aftermarket Security Systems Association) standards.

The installation process is non-invasive, so there’s no trace or damage to the vehicle’s interior, which is particularly appealing for owners of luxury or classic cars.

By operating silently without emitting radio signals, the Ghost remains undetectable to diagnostic tools or radio frequency scanners being used by car thieves.

There’s also an emergency PIN code override, allowing owners to reset their sequence if it has been forgotten, ensuring accessibility without sacrificing security.

And if you need to give someone temporary access, such as a mechanic, the system can be disarmed via the app.

Ghost Immobiliser stands strong

With car thieves today becoming more sophisticated, the Ghost Immobiliser stands out as a formidable barrier, combining cutting-edge technology with a user-friendly design.

Plus, Ghost Installations’ commitment to carrying out a quality installation, and customer satisfaction, makes it an ideal choice for those drivers wanting to protect their vehicles.

Whether you’re safeguarding a family run-around or a cherished classic car, this advanced immobiliser offers unmatched security, ensuring peace of mind in an unpredictable world.