Ghost Immobilisers, Metatrak and Scorpion Trackers - Which One Do You Need?

Keyless theft is not going away. Relay attacks on driveways, signal cloning, OBD port hacks. Modern thieves can be off the drive in a Range Rover or a Mercedes inside 30 seconds if there is nothing to stop them. There are three products we fit most often and they do completely different jobs.

Autowatch Ghost: the engine immobiliser

Ghost is a tiny CAN-bus immobiliser. There is no fob, no LED, no key. It hides on the network and demands a PIN code sequence entered through your existing buttons on the steering wheel or centre console before the engine will start. Relay attack the key, plug into the OBD, hot-wire the ignition, the car will simply not start. Thieves Hunt for an immobiliser by ear and by scanner. They cannot hear or see Ghost. We have fitted Ghost to a lot of Land Rovers, Range Rovers, Mercedes AMGs and high-spec German cars in SL3 and Gerrards Cross because of exactly this threat.

Metatrak: covert tracker, recovery focused

Metatrak is a Thatcham-approved S5 and S7 tracker. Battery-backed, multiple GPS antennas, anti-jam circuitry. If the car is stolen, you ring the 24-hour control room, they geofence the vehicle and work with police on recovery. Insurance discount on a lot of high-value cars. Metatrak does not stop the car being taken, it helps you get it back.

Scorpion Track: similar idea, different brand

Same Thatcham approval levels, same recovery network, slightly different app and pricing. We fit both because some insurers specify one over the other. Tell us your insurer and we will recommend the right one for your policy.

Which to choose?

• Daily driver parked on the drive, want to stop it being taken in the first place: Ghost.
• Insurer demands a Thatcham S5/S7 for cover: Metatrak or Scorpion, depending on the insurer.
• High-value car parked on the street: both. Ghost stops the easy theft, tracker recovers the determined one.
• Caravan, trailer, plant equipment: tracker only. Ghost does not apply.

Why fitting quality matters more than the brand

Any of these systems badly fitted is worse than no system. Wires hanging visibly behind the dash, modules zip-tied to the wrong loom, fobs left in glove boxes. We hide the modules properly, route the cable looms inside the existing harness, and provide a fitting certificate for your insurer. Done well, none of these systems should be visible to anyone working in the car after you.

Book a fitting day at our workshop. Most installs are 2 to 4 hours depending on the car.