What is an immobiliser?
An immobiliser is an electronic device that’s fitted into a car to stop the engine from running. It will only run if the correct key or key fob is present. Since the engine can only be started with the correct key, it would be harder to steal.
There are three main components that make your car start: the ignition, the fuel system, and the starter motor. An immobiliser works by disabling at least two of these three components. When any of these parts are disabled, the car can’t start.
Putting your key in the ignition will send a unique code from the key to the electronic control unit (ECU). Using the wrong key/key fob will enable the immobiliser.
How to check if your car has an immobiliser
To see if your car has a factory-fitted immobiliser, you can check your car’s handbook. This book should have all the details about your car.
If your car is secondhand, it’s possible that a previous owner may have disabled or removed its immobiliser. There are a few reasons why a previous owner might have done this, such as:
- Faulty coding.
- Parts have been replaced in an area of the car where the immobiliser data is different.
- A previous owner lost their keys, and the new ones weren’t programmed properly.
- The car’s battery was replaced as all old key information is lost when this happens.
- An electrical surge in the car blew a component in the ECU.
All information about the immobiliser should be in your car’s handbook. However, if this information isn’t clear, any qualified mechanic should be able to assess the car and confirm for you.
What is a Thatcham device?
Thatcham is an independent company that rates a car’s security to help insurance providers calculate your insurance premium. This independent evaluation looks at your car’s safety features, such as alarms and immobilisers. It’s important to note that Thatcham rates some alarms and immobilisers better than others.
You can visit Thatcham’s website for more information.
Will an immobiliser lower my car insurance premium?
Having an immobiliser will make your car safer and harder to steal. This is a good thing, as it can reduce the risk to car insurance providers and may positively impact your premium.
