An OBD Port immobiliser is an electronic security device designed to prevent unauthorised access to your vehicle’s electronic control modules via its OBD port (On-Board Diagnostics).

When the OBD port immobiliser is in a blocked state it prevents thieves from accessing your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics system. Therefore preventing unauthorised key programming and the potential for software manipulation intended to start the vehicle without the key or for other malicious purposes.

The OBD port immobiliser is intended to be in a blocked state all of time, unless of course you need to unblock it to allow access by authorised service personnel for maintenance work. You therefore have control over when and who has access to your vehicles electronic control modules and software via the vehicle’s OBD port.

To understand more about how this all works, please see the ‘How does an OBD Port immobiliser work?’ Q&A below.

An OBD port immobiliser works by cutting off your OBD port from your vehicle's electronic control modules and on-board diagnostics systems.

The OBD port immobiliser is generally installed behind the dash on the wiring coming from the OBD port, with the port normally being mounted in the under-dash panel. The wiring coming from the OBD port is directly connected to your vehicle's on-board diagnostics system and in turn, connected to all your vehicle's electronic control modules. While automotive professionals use this standardised OBD port for genuine reasons such as to perform vehicle health checks, fault code removals and maintenance work, thieves use it to gain access to your vehicle’s software for alarming reasons.

What the OBD port is really doing (when in a blocked state) is breaking the connection between the OBD port and the vehicle’s on-board diagnostics system. When this connection is broken communication with the vehicle’s onboard diagnostics and electronic control modules via the OBD port is unable to take place. This therefore denies thieves the ability and opportunity to program new keys and manipulate the vehicle's software for malicious purposes via the OBD port.

The OBD port immobiliser is intended to be in a blocked state indefinitely until unblocked by the user. This ongoing blocked state ensures access to the vehicle's electronic control modules is denied when and wherever the opportunity arises for thieves to try and gain access. If the OBD port immobiliser is needed to be unblocked to gain access to the vehicles on board diagnostics this can be done very easily by the user.

How does the user control the state (blocked or unblocked) of the OBD port immobiliser?

As mentioned, the OBD port immobiliser is intended to be in a blocked state indefinitely to prevent unauthorised access to your vehicle's electronic control modules and its onboard diagnostic system. However, there will be instances where access to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic system is needed, for instance for maintenance work by authorised service personnel.

Please note that the OBD port immobiliser cannot be used as a stand-alone product. It requires a telematics device (tracking device) for communications to be controlled remotely for the purposes of either blocking or unblocking its state. This product can pair with any Meta Trak tracking device as an additional add-on, or it comes as standard in multi-point immobilisation systems such as Meta Trak S5 DEADLOCK PRO.

The OBD port immobiliser is controllable remotely through the smartphone app and web portal to send commands to either block or unblock it. These commands are sent from your device (phone or web) over the mobile network to the tracking device which then outputs a signal telling the immobiliser to either enter a blocked or unblocked state.

This straightforward process ensures quick and hassle-free operation of the OBD port immobiliser for the purposes of deactivation for access by authorised service personnel etc. Compared with more conventional forms of OBD port protection that require unbolting or time-consuming deactivations, the solution offered here with the Meta Trak OBD port immobiliser is industry-leading.

It's industry-leading also because the OBD port immobiliser connects wirelessly to the tracking device to send and receive communications. Doing so avoids wire tracing to other parts of the system, for instance, tracing the tracking device back from the OBD port immobiliser etc, a common problem for many tracker and immobiliser systems on the market.

There are various types of OBD port protection available to customers, with most marketed as an OBD port blocker, OBD port lock, OBD port immobiliser, or OBD port protection, while some are dummy ports with the real OBD port being located away from the normal factory installed position.

Of these products, the most common house the OBD port in a metal box requiring a key to allow access, so too are electronic products also requiring a card or key to allow access to the OBD port.

While both approaches are effective at denying unauthorised persons access to your vehicle's OBD port, they both require physical interaction with the product fitted to the OBD port. For instance, if you’ve dropped your vehicle off for servicing and forgot to disarm these types of OBD port protection then there’s nothing that can be done than go back with the authorisation key. They are also nearly all visibly noticeable as there attached directly to the port so can be seen from the interior of the vehicle.

If you want a clean installation of some form of OBD port protection, then an OBD port immobiliser is the way to go. Specialist Trackers UK offers customers a smart and innovative solution to OBD port protection, locking and blocking via the use of an OBD port immobiliser from Meta Trak.

This OBD port immobiliser requires no physical keys or cards to disarm for access by authorised service personnel and is not visible from the interior of the vehicle. The OBD port immobiliser is a remotely controllable piece of hardware, meaning commands can be sent over the air from your smartphone to the OBD port immobiliser to block or unblock its state, thus either allowing or denying access. As the OBD port immobiliser doesn’t require the use of a key or card as it's controlled remotely, there's also no risk of thieves obtaining these items to allow them unauthorised access to your vehicle’s OBD port.

The OBD port immobiliser is intended to be always blocked, therefore denying access to your vehicle’s onboard electronic control modules and sensitive personal information by anyone who tries to access it. To unblock the OBD port immobiliser and allow access by authorised service personnel, a simple command sent via the app or web will unblock the OBD port immobiliser immediately and remotely without any physical interaction with the

To conclude, the OBD port is the entry point to your vehicle's systems and data, and it’s recommended you install some type of aftermarket product to protect it from unauthorised access. Although various forms of OBD port protection can be effective, an integrated OBD port immobiliser provides a more user-friendly and visually appealing solution to enhance vehicle security.

OBD, which stands for On-board diagnostics, is an electronic system in vehicles that allows for self-diagnosis and reporting capabilities for repair technicians. It's the standard protocol used across most light-duty vehicles to retrieve vehicle diagnostic information generated by engine control units (ECUs) or electronic control modules within a vehicle. The OBDII port is typically located on the underside of the dashboard on the driver’s side of the car and may have a 16-pin, 6-pin, or 9-pin configuration, depending on the vehicle type.

Before standardisation, manufacturers created their own systems, connector types, and electronic interface requirements, and used their own custom codes for reporting problems. The history of OBDII is characterised by several milestones, such as the introduction of the first OBD computer system with scanning capability by Volkswagen in 1968.

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended a standardised diagnostic connector and set of diagnostic test signals in 1979, leading to the standardisation of onboard diagnostics in the late 1980s. This came after the 1988 SAE recommendation that called for a standard connector and set of diagnostics. These developments led to OBD becoming mandatory for all cars manufactured in the United States in 1996, and EOBD (European version of OBD) becoming mandatory for all petrol and diesel vehicles in the European Union (EU) in 2001 and 2003, respectively.

Starting in 2004, all vehicles in the UK are required to implement OBDII through a Controller Area Network as specified by ISO. The OBDII provides access to status information and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) for the Powertrain (Engine and transmission) and Emission Control Systems. Additionally, the OBDII provides access to vehicle information such as Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), Calibration Identification Number, Ignition counter, and Emissions Control System counters.

When a car is taken to a shop for service, a mechanic can connect to the OBD port with a scanning tool, read the trouble codes, and identify the problem. This means mechanics can accurately diagnose malfunctions, inspect the vehicle quickly, and fix any malfunctions before they become a major problem.

Its simple!

1. Select the product you wish to have installed and either add it to your bag or go straight ahead and purchase it.

2. Once purchased Specialised Trackers UK will contact you that same day to arrange a date and time for your installation.

3. Once your product has been installed you will automatically receive a user guide via email explaining how to operate the device and a ‘proof of installation’ certificate if relevant.

4. You’re all set, your vehicle's OBD Port is now protected.