Overview
Why vehicles are a common target
Knowing where a car goes reveals a great deal about a person: home and work addresses, who they meet, where they go regularly. Fitting a tracker to a car is far easier than getting into a home or office. A few minutes alone in a car park or service bay is enough. If you suspect someone knows where you are, your car is one of the first places to check.
What can be found in a vehicle
- Live GPS trackers report location over the mobile network at intervals. Most run on their own battery or the car’s; many are magnetic.
- Passive loggers only store location and transmit nothing. They have to be retrieved later. RF cannot see them; physical inspection can.
- Audio devices are placed in the cabin, often in the dashboard, headliner or under a seat. Some are SIM-based units that transmit audio when called.
OBD-port devices are their own category. Some are legitimate fleet or insurance units; others are trackers using the same port. Verify what it is before you remove anything.
How we inspect
Physical inspection leads, because several of the most common devices never transmit. We check the underside, bumpers, wheel arches, chassis rails and spare wheel well with lighting and mirrors. Inside, we inspect under seats, door and roof trim, the glovebox, centre console, boot side panels and the OBD port, using an endoscope for hard-to-reach voids.
RF and thermal checks support this. Live trackers can be caught by an RF analyzer while they report, but reports may be short and minutes apart, so we monitor long enough. A thermal camera can reveal electronics that keep running while the car is parked. An NLJD marks circuitry behind trim; cars are full of factory electronics, so every response is verified.
Manufacturer systems and accounts
Many newer cars have built-in telematics and a companion app that legitimately reports location to the owner’s account. If that account is shared or compromised, someone else can see where you are. That is an account problem, not a hardware one, so we review linked apps, registered users and sharing settings with you. Check your phone’s location and family-sharing settings as well; sometimes the “tracker” is the phone.
Before the sweep
- Don’t mention the sweep in the car or on the phone you suspect.
- Contact us from another device.
- If you think you’ve found a device, don’t touch or move it.
- Keep using the car as normal until the sweep; sudden changes can alert whoever fitted a device.
If a device is found
We photograph it in place and document how and where it is connected. Whether and when to remove it depends on your safety, and we decide that together. If you suspect stalking, we recommend legal advice. If you feel in immediate danger, call 112.
For organizations, fleet and executive vehicle checks can be scheduled as part of a corporate periodic TSCM programme.
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Warning signs
- Where you are, or where you are going, is known without explanation
- An unfamiliar box or cable under the bumper, in chassis voids or around the dashboard
- A device plugged into the OBD port that you don't recognise
- Disturbed trim after a service, valet or parking stay
- The battery draining unexpectedly with the ignition off
02
Process
Secure first contact
We talk away from the car and the phone you suspect, and hear about the vehicle, how it is used and your concern.
Choosing the location
We plan the sweep for a quiet, covered space where the car can be inspected safely.
Exterior and underside
Bumpers, wheel arches, chassis voids, the fuel tank area and spare wheel well are inspected with lighting and mirrors.
Interior and wiring
Under seats, trim, glovebox, headliner, OBD port and wiring are checked, with an endoscope where needed.
RF and thermal checks
With the vehicle running and at rest, we look for RF transmissions and heat from active electronics.
Verification and report
Every suspicious point is verified and the findings go into a written report with photographs.
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What you receive
- Written report of the parts of the vehicle inspected, methods and findings
- Photographs and connection details of any device found
- Practical security recommendations for using the vehicle afterwards
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Limitations
- Manufacturer telematics and connected-car services are assessed through account and settings review, not a device search.
- Trim or parts are removed only with your approval and without damaging the vehicle.
- Location sharing or spyware on your phone requires a separate phone inspection.
- A sweep verifies the vehicle at the time of the sweep; it does not cover a device fitted later.
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Questions
Can you check my car remotely?
No. Passive GPS loggers emit no signal at all, so they cannot be found remotely. The vehicle has to be inspected physically.
Do I need to take the car to a garage?
Usually not. A covered car park or private garage where the car can be inspected safely is normally enough. We agree the location with you beforehand.
What should I do if a tracker is found?
Talk to us, and if needed to a lawyer, before removing it. Pulling it off suddenly can alert whoever fitted it. We consider together what is safest for you.
How long does a vehicle sweep take?
It depends on the vehicle and its interior. For a passenger car we usually plan one to three hours; commercial vehicles and fleet work take longer.