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Why Car Thieves Fear Secondary Trackers the Most

Car theft continues to plague car owners worldwide, with thieves constantly finding new ways to bypass traditional security measures like alarms and immobilizers. However, one security tool strikes fear into even the most seasoned criminals: secondary trackers. These stealthy devices enable police and rightful owners to recover stolen vehicles even after they have been stolen.

And thieves simply don’t have the time to search every corner of a car for a hidden tracker.

Let’s explore why secondary trackers are a thief’s worst nightmare.

What is a Secondary Tracker?

A secondary tracker is an aftermarket tracking device installed in a vehicle to provide an additional layer of security. Unlike built-in trackers pre-installed by car manufacturers, secondary trackers are not part of the car’s standard features. Thieves are often familiar with factory-installed systems and know exactly where to locate and disable them. These systems are typically designed with limited protection against tampering, making them an easy target for skilled criminals.

In contrast, secondary trackers are intentionally designed to be discreet and unpredictable. They are hardwired into the car’s electrical system and can be hidden in non-obvious locations such as the engine bay, trunk, or other concealed areas. Thieves cannot know if a secondary tracker is present, where it might be hidden, or how it functions. This lack of knowledge creates significant uncertainty, disrupting their plans and increasing the risk of getting caught.

This is why many CarLock customers install the CarLock OBD device using an OBD extension, splitter, or power cable

Others prefer the CarLock Wired device, which connects directly to the car’s battery. Thieves typically quickly sweep the vehicle to disable tracking devices, focusing on apparent spots like under the dashboard or seats. 

Secondary trackers are strategically placed to remain hidden during this search, delaying their efforts and increasing the chances of recovery.

A Stolen Car Isn’t Truly Stolen If It’s Tracked

Even if thieves successfully steal a car, the presence of a tracker can render all their efforts meaningless. A hidden tracker allows law enforcement and owners to locate the vehicle quickly, undoing all the work that went into the theft.

This fear is why stolen cars are often abandoned in remote locations. Thieves leave them to see if someone arrives to recover the vehicle, revealing the presence of a tracker.

This highlights the importance of this critical security measure for car owners. Don’t risk being caught without it—equip your vehicle with a secondary tracker like CarLock.

Thieves Can’t Afford Delays

Speed is critical for car thieves. They need to move the vehicle to a safe location, strip it for parts, or ship it overseas as quickly as possible. Secondary trackers disrupt this timeline by forcing thieves to spend extra time searching for and disabling the device.

This delay significantly increases the risk of getting caught, giving law enforcement and car owners more time to track and recover the vehicle. For thieves, every second spent with a stolen car is another second closer to apprehension.

Hard to Detect and Disable

Trackers that use Bluetooth, such as Apple AirTags or Tile trackers, are easily detected by thieves. AirTags notify nearby devices of their presence, and if a thief has an Apple device, this defeats the purpose of discreetly tracking a stolen car. They also rely on Apple’s Find My network to ping the AirTag’s location. In areas with few or no Apple devices—such as remote locations, parking lots, or secluded garages—the AirTag becomes virtually useless. The same applies to Tile with its Tile network. 

In contrast, trackers with a built-in SIM card, like CarLock, operate independently of other devices. They can transmit real-time information directly via the cloud, ensuring reliable tracking. Additionally, they are harder to detect, as they cannot be easily identified by a smartphone.

Exposing Organized Crime

Trackers’ ability to log long-term data is terrifying for thieves. Beyond providing real-time location updates, these devices record the vehicle’s movements over time, revealing key details about theft patterns, drop-off points, and connections to more extensive crime networks. This data doesn’t just help recover a single vehicle—it can lead to dismantling entire car theft rings.

This is a significant threat for organized criminals, making secondary trackers far more dangerous than traditional alarms or immobilizers.

Real-Time Collaboration with Law Enforcement

Secondary trackers allow car owners to provide real-time tracking data that law enforcement agencies can access immediately when a vehicle is reported stolen. This collaboration shortens the response time, allowing authorities to locate and recover the vehicle quickly—even if it’s moving or hidden in a remote location. For thieves, this real-time capability means their margin for escape is razor-thin.

A Strong Deterrent for Thieves

Knowing that a car might have a secondary tracker is a powerful deterrent for thieves. The risk of getting caught and difficulty detecting and disabling the device make targeting these vehicles a high-stakes gamble. Many thieves will move on to an easier target rather than take the risk.

Why You Need a Secondary Tracker

Secondary trackers offer unparalleled protection for car owners. By combining stealth, reliability, real-time tracking, and security notifications capabilities, they dramatically increase the chances of recovering a stolen vehicle while also deterring theft in the first place.

A secondary tracker is not just an option for car owners in high-theft areas or those with high-value vehicles—it’s a necessity. Stay ahead of car thieves by equipping your vehicle with a must-have security solution. With a secondary tracker like CarLock, you can confidently drive knowing your car is protected.

Get your CarLock device today!