Remotely Operated Immobilisers
Remotely operated immobilisers have been a vital tool for vehicle leasing and rental businesses. They are often used to immobilise the vehicles of non-paying customers to prevent vehicle use and to prompt payment. The ability to stop a customer from using a vehicle due to non-payment also prevents further wear and mileage increases to the vehicle if it’s decided to be repossessed by the owner.
Vehicle leasing and rental companies can gain complete fleet control with remotely operated immobilisers when paired with trackers for locating purposes.
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The automotive industry in the UK has experienced a significant change in recent years, with car leasing becoming a more popular option among drivers. Most of these vehicles are supplied not from the dealership but from vehicle leasing and rental companies. According to the latest industry statistics, over 1.6 million people in the UK are leasing a car. It is estimated that between 20% to 30% of new cars in the UK are leased instead of being purchased.
Managing a large fleet of vehicles and customers can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to tracking customer payments and ensuring they are up to date. Without the ability to remotely immobilise a vehicle's engine, it can be extremely challenging to prevent a customer from using the vehicle in the event of non-payment. If a business does not have a remotely operated engine immobiliser installed on their vehicles, the only option is to communicate with the customer via phone or email, requesting them to stop using the vehicle. This method is inefficient and often fails to achieve the desired outcome.
For remote immobilisation of any vehicle, a tracker (telematics device) is also needed. The tracker, which houses all the communications hardware is what you're communicating with when sending remote immobilisation commands to the vehicle. Once a command has been sent over the mobile network to the tracker from your device, the tracker then outputs a signal to the immobiliser telling it to either arm or disarm and therefore either allowing or disallowing use of the vehicle.
Specialist Trackers UK has a great selection of some of the best combined trackers and remotely operated immobilisers available on the market. Remotely operated immobilisers are a key tool for many types of business including vehicle rental, vehicle leasing, fleet operators, and plant machinery and equipment.
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Remote Immobiliser Installation and Purchase Process.
Remote Vehicle Immobilisation FAQ’s
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A remotely operated immobiliser is a type of vehicle immobiliser that can be controlled remotely by the end-user. Also referred to as remote immobilisation, this technology allows you to send commands over the air to the system installed in your vehicle to immobilise it remotely.
These systems typically require both a telematics device (tracker) and an immobiliser to operate. The tracker contains the communication hardware, such as the GSM antenna, which enables the connection and transmission of your commands over the mobile network to the immobiliser. The immobiliser then disables the vehicle once it receives the command.
In simple terms, you send a command from your device instructing the immobiliser to either arm or disarm. This is usually done through the product's mobile app or its online portal via a web browser. After you send the command from your device, it travels over the mobile network, which delivers it to your telematics device/tracking device.
Once the tracker receives the command, it outputs a signal or communicates wirelessly via Bluetooth to your immobiliser. After the immobiliser receives the command, it will either arm or disarm, depending on the command you sent. For example, if you send an "arm" command, once it is received, the immobiliser will open the circuit associated with the specific wire used to immobilise your vehicle.
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Remote immobilisers offer numerous benefits, particularly in theft prevention. If a vehicle is stolen, remote immobilisation can be activated to prevent further driving and effectively lock down the vehicle until police assistance arrives. They are also extremely useful for businesses involved in vehicle hire, leasing, and financing.
Managing assets that customers drive on a paid basis can be challenging, especially when they fail to meet their monthly payment obligations. By installing a remote-operated immobiliser in the vehicle, you maintain complete control over who can access it. If a customer misses a payment or uses the vehicle irresponsibly, you can remotely immobilise it. Once immobilised, customers often respond promptly by making missed payments to regain access.
In the worst-case scenario, if the customer still does not make payment, you can arrange to recover the vehicle without the added concern of them continuing to drive it, which can complicate recovery efforts.
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Choosing the best remotely operated immobiliser for your needs involves several factors, including your budget, desired features, and reliability.
In our opinion, Meta Trak is a solid choice. They have consistently pushed the boundaries of customer-controlled remote immobilisation for years. Meta Trak was the first vehicle security company in the UK to make this technology widely available to end-users. Previously, remote immobilisation technology in the aftermarket vehicle security industry was only utilised at the request of the Police. Meta Trak empowered vehicle and system owners with this technology for their own personal use. Today, they are regarded as leaders in vehicle immobilisation and have introduced many innovations and solutions over the years.
Which is the best option? How do the different systems available differ?
Many, if not all, current remotely operated immobilisers on the market use a wired connection between the telematics device (tracker) and the immobiliser. When the tracker receives a remote command to immobilise the vehicle, it sends a signal through this shared wired connection, which activates the immobiliser. However, some products, such as those from Meta Trak, utilise a wireless link instead of a wired one. This wireless connection employs Bluetooth technology, allowing for a more streamlined, covert, and flexible installation of the product.
When it comes to pricing, many high-end vehicle security systems that include both a tracker and immobiliser feature remote immobilisation capabilities as standard. These systems can be expensive and might not fit your budget, especially if you intend to implement this technology across multiple vehicles or are primarily interested in just the remote immobilisation function. In such cases, remote immobilisation can be more cost-effective. For example, you could pair a compatible immobiliser with a low-cost fleet tracker that has minimal ongoing costs.
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Its simple!
Select the product you wish to have installed and either add it to your bag or go straight ahead and purchase it.
Once purchased, Specialised Trackers will contact you that same day* to arrange a date and time for your installation. *or within 24hrs of purchase.
Once your product has been installed you will automatically receive your ‘proof of installation certificate’ via email. This is the important bit your insurer will be wanting from you to prove the product has been fitted.
Your all set and now insurance compliant.
Thatcham category S5 insurance approved tracking
Automatic driver recognition (x1 Driver Tag)
Automatic , No Tag, No Start engine immobilisation
Local/Remote engine immobilisation via ST app