Thatcham S5 vs S7 vs S5+ Car Trackers Explained (2026 Buying Guide)

If you're buying a car tracker, you'll quickly run into terms like "Thatcham S7" and "Thatcham S5." These categories define what a tracker does and what your insurer expects. Here's a plain-English guide to the three most popular options.

What Does Thatcham Approved Mean?

Thatcham Research is the UK body that tests and certifies vehicle security. An "approved" tracker meets a recognised standard, which is why insurers often ask for one — and may reduce your premium when it's fitted.

Thatcham S7: The Essentials

The Thatcham S7 tracker is the ideal entry point. It gives you live GPS location, journey history, geofence alerts, and battery-tamper warnings through a mobile app. If you want to know where your car is and be alerted to suspicious movement, the S7 covers it from £199.

Thatcham S5: Adds Driver Recognition

The Thatcham S5 tracker steps things up with Driver Recognition (D-iD). It confirms an authorised driver via smartphone or a secure Bluetooth tag before the car is driven. If someone moves the vehicle without it, you and the monitoring centre are alerted instantly — active theft prevention, not just tracking.

Thatcham S5+: Remote Immobilisation

The Thatcham S5+ tracker is the top tier. It includes everything in the S5 plus police-approved remote immobilisation, allowing the engine to be safely disabled at police request if the car is stolen. It's the recommended choice for high-value and performance vehicles.

Quick Comparison

• S7 (£199): Live tracking, journey history, geofences, tamper alerts
• S5 (£275): All of the above + driver recognition (D-iD)
• S5+ (£349): All of the above + police-approved remote immobilisation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tracker is best for insurance?
Many insurers specifically require an S5 tracker on high-value vehicles. The S5 and S5+ offer the strongest recognition, but always confirm your insurer's exact requirement.

Do car trackers need a subscription?
Approved trackers generally include a monitoring subscription. We'll explain the current terms before fitting.

Can a thief disable the tracker?
Our trackers are fitted covertly and hidden within the vehicle's wiring, making them very difficult to find or disable.

Where can I get a tracker installed near me?
German Auto Mods fits all three trackers at our East London workshop. Compare trackers here or get in touch for a recommendation.