Ghost immobiliser vs tracker: which should you fit? In short, they do different jobs. A Ghost immobiliser stops your car being driven away. A tracker helps find it if it goes anyway, for example on the back of a truck.
So the real question is which risk worries you most, and what your insurer asks for. For many high-value cars, the honest answer is both. However, that is not true for every car, so this guide helps you decide.
If you are still deciding whether a Ghost is right for you at all, read our guide is a Ghost immobiliser worth it? first. Then come back here to compare it with a tracker.
Ghost Immobiliser vs Tracker at a Glance
| Ghost immobiliser | Tracker | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Stops the car being started and driven | Helps locate and recover the car |
| Relay theft and cloned keys | Blocks them without your PIN | Alerts you, but the car can still be driven |
| Car lifted onto a truck | Can’t stop it | Tracks where it goes |
| Approval | TASSA approved, not Thatcham | Thatcham S5 or S7 categories |
| Insurer asks for a tracker | Does not replace it | Meets the requirement |
| Ongoing subscription | None | Yes, paid to the tracker company |
| Day to day | Enter your PIN, or use a key-tag or app | S5: carry a driver ID tag or app |
| Visible to a thief | No fob, no LED | Hidden unit |
What a Ghost Immobiliser Does
First, a Ghost asks for a PIN code before the engine will start. Then you enter it on buttons your car already has, such as the steering wheel or window switches. Ghost-III also offers an optional key-tag or phone app.
As a result, a relayed key signal or a newly programmed key is not enough on its own. The car may unlock, but it will not drive away. Also, there is no fob or LED for a thief to find. Ghost is TASSA approved, rather than a Thatcham product.
What a Tracker Does
First, a tracker is a hidden GPS unit that reports where the car is. With a monitored tracker, a 24/7 control centre watches for alerts. Then, if the car is stolen, they work with the police to recover it.
Trackers also alert you to things like the battery being disconnected or the car moving when it should not. That’s why they help with thefts a Ghost can’t stop, such as a car being lifted onto a truck. You can see the trackers we fit on our car tracker fitting in Cardiff page.
S5 vs S7 Trackers
In fact, both are Thatcham categories, and both are monitored around the clock. The main difference is driver recognition. An S5 tracker knows who is driving, through an ID tag or phone app, and raises an alert if the car moves without it. An S7 tracker does not have that feature.
Some S5 trackers can also immobilise the car remotely, depending on the model. For example, Global Telemetrics explains how its S5 and S7 systems differ. Your insurer will usually say which category they want.
Ghost Immobiliser vs Tracker: Which Do You Need?
So here is how we help customers decide at the counter.
Relay theft and key programming are the main risks for keyless cars. So a Ghost targets exactly that, and there is no subscription to pay.
If your policy needs a Thatcham S5 or S7 tracker, fit the one they ask for. A Ghost does not replace it, because Ghost is TASSA approved, not Thatcham.
Ghost stops the drive-away. Then the tracker covers the car being lifted, and helps get it back. That’s the setup we usually suggest for prestige cars.
Some trackers include their own immobiliser. For example, the Corvette in this guide has an Eco-Track tracker with immobiliser and a phone app.
Ghost Immobiliser vs Tracker? Why We Often Fit Both
After all, thieves don’t all work the same way. Some use electronics to drive the car off your drive. Meanwhile, others lift it onto a truck in minutes. So one device rarely covers every risk.
For example, the Audi RS6 in our security build left with a Ghost, a Meta Trak S5 tracker, Target Blu Eye and a Thinkware dash cam. Meanwhile, the Corvette security upgrade got an Eco-Track tracker with its own immobiliser and remote engine kill.
Ghost Immobiliser vs Tracker for Insurance: Can One Replace the Other?
Usually, no. If your insurer asks for a Thatcham S5 or S7 tracker, a Ghost will not meet that condition. That’s because Ghost is TASSA approved, which is a separate accreditation. Each insurer treats it differently, so ask yours before you fit anything.
Why the Fitter Matters for Both
We fit Ghost immobilisers and trackers in our workshop, never on your driveway. Also, we do not cut factory wiring. Then, for trackers, we help set up the subscription and test the alerts with you before you leave.
You also get the installation certificate your insurer asks for. And if you want both devices, we plan them together, so they work side by side. See our Ghost immobiliser fitting in Cardiff for more.
Ghost Immobiliser vs Tracker Fitting in Cardiff
Our workshop is at Unit C1, West Point Industrial Estate, Penarth Road, Cardiff CF11 8JQ. Also, drivers come to us from Penarth, Barry, Newport, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Pontypridd and the Vale of Glamorgan. So whichever you choose, it is fitted by the same team.
Ghost Immobiliser vs Tracker: Your Questions Answered
Ghost immobiliser vs tracker: which is better?
No, they do different jobs. A Ghost stops the car being started and driven without your PIN. Meanwhile, a tracker helps find and recover the car if it is taken, including if it is lifted onto a truck. So the better choice depends on your risks, and many owners fit both.
Do I need a tracker if I have a Ghost immobiliser?
Not always. If your insurer doesn’t ask for one, a Ghost alone may be enough for a lower-risk car. However, a Ghost can’t stop a car being lifted or towed. So for high-value or high-risk cars, we usually suggest adding a tracker as well.
Will my insurer accept a Ghost immobiliser instead of a tracker?
Usually not. If your insurer asks for a Thatcham S5 or S7 tracker, a Ghost will not meet that condition, because Ghost is TASSA approved rather than Thatcham. Insurers treat TASSA approval in different ways, so check with yours before you fit.
What is the difference between an S5 and S7 tracker?
Both are Thatcham categories with 24/7 monitoring. An S5 tracker adds driver recognition, through an ID tag or phone app, and alerts if the car moves without it. An S7 tracker doesn’t have driver recognition. Your insurer will usually say which one they need.
Do car trackers need a subscription?
Yes, monitored trackers do. The subscription pays for the 24/7 control centre and is paid to the tracker company, not to us. We also help you set it up and activate it before you leave. A Ghost immobiliser has no subscription.
Can you fit a Ghost immobiliser and a tracker together?
Yes. We often fit both on the same car, and they work side by side. The Audi RS6 in this guide has a Ghost and a Meta Trak S5 tracker. Call us on 029 2070 7275 and we will suggest the right setup for your car.
In short, Ghost immobiliser vs tracker is not really a contest. One stops the theft, and the other helps undo it. So tell us your car and your insurer’s rules, and we will give you a straight answer.
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