Van Immobilisers

Factory-fitted immobilisers have become mandatory on all new vehicles since 1998. If you own an old or new vehicle you will still need an aftermarket immobiliser. Thieves are evolving and have such technologies now to override factory central locking, immobilisers, as well as keyless and non-keyless start vehicles. By installing a van immobiliser, this simple but powerful technology can significantly increase the level of security of your van, lower your insurance premium, and improve the level of comfort of your vehicle.

Van immobilisers are a hidden technology present in most vans and cars today. Since it has become mandatory to have a factory-fitted, Thatcham-approved immobiliser since 1998, it is rare to find vans that don’t have one today. Owing to the modern-day van thief, who are capable of compromising factory fitted van immobilisers, we strongly recommend getting an aftermarket van immobiliser with Solutionz to give you the best protection available.

Before deciding on the best course of action, it is recommendable to check whether your van already has an immobiliser. To do so, start by checking when your vehicle was manufactured – if it was made after 1998, the chances are that it already has an immobiliser fitted. However, it is still best to check if previous owners have left it in place and regularly checked it.

If your van was manufactured before 1998, you could check if it has an immobiliser through an MOT. Indeed, some manufacturers might have still completed your vehicle with an immobiliser before this date.

Immobilisers are those electrical security devices that you don’t often see or think about, but they do a lot to keep your van safe.

In brief, when you enter your van and insert the key, the immobiliser is activated. The key, or the fob attached to it, sends a message to the engine control unit (ECU). This message informs the unit that the code in the fob matches the requirements, and the vehicle has permission to start the engine.

Without an immobiliser, thieves or perpetrators can use techniques such as hot wiring to start the vehicle and keep the engine running once they are in the vehicle. Instead, an immobiliser will prevent them from starting the van without authorisation.

While this might seem a simple technology at first, it has impressively developed over time, and it has caused a drop in vehicle theft incidents by 40% since it was uniformly adopted. Today, some of the latest models of immobilisers use technologies such as rolling codes or cryptography to keep the vehicle even more secure. Get in touch with expert technicians today to find out more about the models and options available.

Thatcham Research, officially known as Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, has been a crucial body for the leading research regarding vehicle security, safety, and vehicle repair standards. It has been the vanguard in its field for over 50 years.

In the 1990s, a comprehensive system of categories, known as the Thatcham Categories for Alarm and Immobilisers, set the standards for manufacturers.
Today, immobilisers and alarms, as well as other security devices, that have been assessed and tested by Thatcham Research, are considered the best ones on the market. They can also significantly influence the price of your insurance premium.

Speak to a vehicle security expert to understand more about the Thatcham-approved immobilisers and Thatcham categories.

A van immobiliser installation process is not something to be taken lightly or to do by yourself. Indeed, if not done correctly, it can significantly compromise the functioning of the van’s electrical system.

It can also decrease the level of security and safety of your van. Thus, we always recommend consulting a vehicle security expert or technician who can guide you in the choice of the best immobiliser and installation process.

The benefits of professional van immobiliser fitting are that all systems will be tested. So, you will receive a certificate that you can use to prove your van’s newest installation to your insurer. In turn, this can help you save on the insurance premium and cost of your policy. In some cases, a company won’t allow you to get insurance at all if your vehicle does not have an immobiliser fitted professionally!

There are several types of immobilisers on the market, but there are two main ones you might consider. These are:

• Touch key immobiliser – touch key immobilisers will require you to touch the receptacle with a coded key. Once the code is recognised, the system will be disarmed, and the vehicle will start.
• Transponder immobiliser – transponder immobilisers are much less invasive, more discrete, and easier to use technology. You will have a coded chip on your keyring, and as soon as you place the key into the ignition, the code is recognised, which disarms the system.

The prices for van immobilisers can vary significantly, mostly depending on the van’s model, technology, and personal requirements. However, as seen, there are many models on the market that might suit your expectations and budget.

Speaking to an expert technician can give you a better estimation of van immobiliser pricing options and labour cost.