How often do stolen cars get found?

18th January 2023

Findings show that the recovery rate of stolen vehicles in the UK is only 28% in the case of cars without GPS trackers installed. Automobiles that are fitted with a tracking device have a 95% recovery rate. Keep reading this guide by FitMyTracker about such tracking devices and other ways to protect your vehicle down below for more information. 

 

GPS tracking devices 

GPS trackers cannot help you avoid theft, but what they can do is offer the means to retrieve your car in case it gets stolen. Tracking devices make use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, which enables you to monitor the vehicle’s live location in a precise manner. 

 

First, ask a professional to fit the tracking device. Then, download its app on a gadget such as your smartphone for example. You’ll be able to view both your car’s current location and the speed at which it’s being driven. You’ll also get alerts if someone is breaking into the vehicle and driving it away. This will help you start your chase immediately. 

 

Further ways to keep your car safe

If you want to avoid car theft and you’re looking for additional ways in which you can do this, below are some useful tips you can follow:

 

Take basic precautions

Basic precautions are always an efficient way to ensure safety. One standard security method is keeping your vehicle in a garage or at least a well lit spot. 

 

Always triple check you’ve locked the car. If somebody attempts to steal your vehicle while its doors are locked, this action will activate an alarm. Once the alarm has gone off, the thief starts to feel under a great deal of pressure and can either give up or be slowed in the process and more likely to get caught. 

 

Use a steering wheel lock

Steering wheel locks are bright yellow immobilisers that are easy to spot. The vehicle will not be considered an easy target. This can help make all the difference by changing the thief’s mind about stealing your car. 

Secure electronic keys

Theft criminals use signal grabbers to steal your car key’s signal in order to open the vehicle. It doesn’t matter if your car key is hidden somewhere in your house. What you need in this case is something that will protect the vehicle’s key against the thief’s device. Keep your car key either in a Faraday pouch, in a metal box, or wrapped in tin foil. All of these options are efficient, as they block the signal grabbers’ electromagnetic waves so the thief won’t be able to open the vehicle.

 

Park sensibly

You can also ensure a car’s protection when parking it in well lit spots and crowded places so that people can see it. Another thing you can do is find CCTV cameras and park in clear view of the system. Most thieves don’t take risks like that, so you can rest assured that your vehicle’s safe when parked smartly.