How Can I Track My Car If It Gets Stolen?

If your car is stolen, a GPS vehicle tracker can help you see where it is from your phone, tablet or computer.

A GPS tracker fitted to your car uses satellite positioning to determine its location and a mobile data connection to send that information to a tracking app. Depending on the tracker and your settings, you can also receive movement alerts, view previous journeys and set alerts for when your vehicle enters or leaves a chosen area.

It won't prevent your car from being stolen, but it can give you useful information about where your vehicle is and whether it has moved.

How does a GPS tracker help if my car is stolen?

A vehicle tracker allows you to check your car's location through a tracking app or online platform.

Depending on the tracker and the settings you choose, you can:

• See your vehicle's location on a map
• Receive movement alerts
• View recent journeys and location history
• Set geofences around places such as your home or workplace
• Receive alerts when your vehicle enters or leaves a geofenced area
• Access your tracking account from your phone or computer

If you discover that your vehicle has been stolen, report it to the police and follow their instructions rather than attempting to recover it yourself.

Can I see my car's location on my phone?

Yes. With a suitable GPS vehicle tracker and tracking service, you can check your vehicle's location from your phone.

Global Trackers customers can use the GPS Monitor Plus app or access their tracking account through a web browser.

As well as checking location, you can view previous journeys and use the alerts available with your tracking system.

We'll cover this in more detail in our guide Can I Track My Car From My Phone?

Can I get an alert if somebody moves my car?

Yes. Movement alerts can notify you when your vehicle starts moving.

You can also create a geofence, which is a virtual boundary around a location such as your home, workplace or storage area. Your tracking system can then alert you when the vehicle enters or leaves that area.

These features can give you an earlier indication that a vehicle has moved unexpectedly.

Does a GPS tracker need a SIM card?

For live vehicle tracking, the tracker needs a way to send its location information to your tracking platform.

GPS tells the tracker where it is. A mobile data connection allows it to send that information to you.

Global Trackers vehicle tracking services include a multi-network M2M SIM, so you don't need to arrange and manage a separate SIM yourself.

We'll explain exactly how this works — and why GPS tracking services usually have an ongoing cost — in Why Do GPS Trackers Need a SIM Card and Subscription?

What happens if there is no mobile signal?

GPS reception and mobile connectivity do different jobs.

The tracker uses GPS satellites to establish its position and a mobile network to transmit information to the tracking platform.

If the tracker temporarily cannot connect to the mobile network, live information may not reach the platform until connectivity is restored. How tracking information is stored and transmitted can depend on the device and its configuration.

Where should I fit a GPS tracker in my car?

There are different ways to install a vehicle tracker.

A hardwired GPS tracker connects to the vehicle's electrical system and can be installed discreetly. A plug-in OBD tracker connects to a compatible OBD port and can be a straightforward option when you don't want a hardwired installation.

Which is right for you depends on your car and what you want from your tracker.

Read our full guide: Hardwired vs OBD GPS Trackers: Which Is Right for You?

Can I use an AirTag instead of a GPS tracker?

AirTags and dedicated GPS vehicle trackers work differently.

An AirTag uses Apple's Find My network and nearby compatible Apple devices to help establish its location. A dedicated GPS vehicle tracker uses satellite positioning and a mobile data connection to report its location to a tracking platform.

If you're considering the two options, we'll cover the differences properly in AirTag vs GPS Tracker for a Car: What's the Difference?

How much does it cost to track a car?

There are usually two costs to consider: buying the tracking device and paying for the ongoing tracking service.

Global Trackers' vehicle tracking subscription is currently £5.99 per month including VAT, including access to the tracking platform and the multi-network M2M SIM used by the tracker.

We'll break down what you are actually paying for in How Much Does a Car Tracker Cost in the UK?

Which tracker is right for my car?

You don't need to understand all the technical terminology before choosing a tracker.

The right option depends on your vehicle, how you want the tracker installed and what you want it to do.

Some people prefer a discreet hardwired tracker. Others prefer a simple plug-in option. Different requirements may also affect which device is most suitable.

If you're unsure, tell us what vehicle you have and what you want to achieve. We'll help you choose a suitable option without making tracking more complicated than it needs to be.

Ready to compare your options? View our range of GPS vehicle trackers.

So, how can I track my car if it gets stolen?

A dedicated GPS vehicle tracker gives you a way to check your vehicle's location and movement information from your phone or computer.

It doesn't prevent theft and it shouldn't replace appropriate vehicle security or insurance. What it can provide is useful information about where your vehicle is, whether it has moved and where it has travelled.

At Global Trackers, we provide straightforward GPS tracking for people and businesses, backed by UK-based support when you need help choosing, installing or using your tracker.