Car alarms and vehicle security in 2026

Car theft tactics have moved on, and stock alarms have not kept up. Keyless relay attacks, OBD port cloning and bypass tools are now the leading methods used by organised thieves in the UK, with high-value Range Rovers, BMWs and hot hatches the most common targets. Adding a quality aftermarket alarm, OBD lockout or GPS tracker is the cheapest insurance you can buy, often pulling your premium down at renewal too.

Thatcham categories explained

• Thatcham Cat 1. Combined alarm and immobiliser, typically required by insurers on high-value or modified cars.
• Thatcham Cat 2. Stand-alone electronic immobiliser, cheaper add-on for older vehicles without alarm circuitry.
• Thatcham Cat S5 and S7. GPS tracker categories with automatic driver recognition tags. Common on prestige and supercars.
• Thatcham Cat Q. Aftermarket immobilisers and visible deterrents not formally listed but still recognised by some insurers.

Brand quality at a glance

• Cobra. Long-running UK favourite, strong dealer network, excellent Thatcham Cat 1 systems and OEM-look two-way fobs.
• Clifford. Premium alarms with two-way pagers, glass-tilt sensors and remote start on selected ranges.
• Viper. US-market leader, popular on imports and modified cars where features outweigh OEM aesthetics.
• Laserline. Solid mid-market option for daily drivers, with simple two-way fobs and Thatcham Q approval.
• Meta and Pandora. Premium pan-European systems with full app control, live GPS and engine kill.

How keyless relay attacks work

Thieves carry two devices: a receiver near your front door to pick up the key signal, and a transmitter at the car to amplify it. The car thinks the key is present and unlocks. A Faraday pouch is a quick fix for storing the key at home, but a relay-defeat alarm or OBD lockout is the proper solution. Many of our systems require a PIN or driver tag on the move, so the car will not move even if the door is open.

OBD port lockouts

An OBD lockout slides over the diagnostic port and locks with a key. Without OBD access a thief cannot programme a fresh key blank to your car. Pair it with an alarm and tracker and you have a serious three-layer system for under 500 pounds, fitted by us in around three hours.

GPS trackers and stolen-vehicle recovery

Modern trackers report position every few seconds to a 24-hour monitoring centre, with movement alerts straight to your phone. The Cat S5 and S7 standards require a driver tag, so simply taking the keys is not enough to drive away undetected. The monitoring centre can immobilise the engine remotely on confirmation of theft and dispatch police directly to the live location.

Compatibility and fitting

Plan ahead for a clean install. Most jobs need only:

• Fascia adapter. Useful when alarm modules sit behind the dash and you need a clean trim refit.
• ISO harness. Keeps the factory wiring loom reversible for warranty.
• Steering-wheel control adapter. Retains stalk buttons on a new stereo if you upgrade alongside the alarm.
• Aerial adapter. Converts the factory antenna plug to standard DIN if a head unit goes in at the same time.
• SIM data plan. Annual subscription on trackers, often three years prepaid at install for the best price.

Workshop installation in Wolverhampton

Most aftermarket alarms and trackers are installed in two to four hours by a trained fitter, with no permanent changes to the factory loom. We are a registered installer for several brands including Cobra and Meta, so warranties stay intact. Book a slot through our website or by phone, with weekend appointments available on request.

Why buy from Bass Junkies

Bass Junkies has been fitting car security systems since 1995. We supply private owners, fleet operators and trade installers from our Wolverhampton workshop, with UK-wide shipping on stocked systems ordered before 3pm. Phone 01902 863 005 to book installation or to speak to a security specialist about which category suits your car and insurer.