Protect Your Car
Most car theft is preventable. These are the products that actually stop it — ranked by how much they help.
CarTrace deterrent stickers
Scare off thieves before they touch your car
The cheapest theft insurance there is.
Thieves pick the easiest target and avoid cars that look monitored. A €7.90 deterrent decal — backed by CarTrace's real recovery network — can make them move on to another car.
Live Tracking Badge
Circular · approx. 100 mm
€7.90
Weatherproof · Easy to apply · Free EU delivery
Monitored Warning Decal
Rectangular · approx. 120 × 60 mm
€7.90
Weatherproof · Easy to apply · Free EU delivery
Best value: any 2 stickers for €12
Mix designs and languages — free delivery across the EU.
- Thieves target the easiest car — yours won't be it
- Weatherproof vinyl, fits any window or bodywork
- Backed by CarTrace's real recovery network
- Every sticker helps protect the whole community
Our goal: a CarTrace deterrent on every car in Europe. The more cars that look monitored, the harder it gets for thieves everywhere. Add yours.
CarTrace PickEssentialDefender
#1 Faraday Key Signal Blocker Pouch
A police-approved Faraday pouch that blocks the signal from your keyless fob, stopping relay attacks instantly. Slip your key inside whenever you're not driving.
Why we recommend it
Relay attacks account for the majority of keyless car thefts in Europe. A €10 pouch can stop a €20,000 theft — this is the single most important product on this list.
- Blocks RFID, keyless, WiFi, GPS and NFC signals
- Comes as a 2-pack — one for each key
- Police-approved designs (Secured by Design)
- Tiny, cheap, works instantly
- Velcro can wear after years of daily use
- You must remember to use it every time
€8–30
Night protectionSamfolk
#2 Faraday Key Storage Box
A shielded box for your hallway table that stores every family key overnight — when most relay thefts happen. One drop-in habit protects the whole household.
Why we recommend it
Pouches are for on-the-go; a box is for home. Most relay thefts happen at night from keys left near the front door. This blocks them all at once.
- Holds 5–8 keys
- Often includes 2 portable pouches
- Looks good on a hallway table
- Dual-layer shielding
- Only protects keys placed inside it
- Larger than a pouch
€18–25
CarTrace PickRecovery essentialPAJ GPS
#3 Real-Time GPS Tracker
A hidden 4G tracker with real-time location, geofence alerts and weeks of battery life. If your car is taken despite prevention, this is how you get it back.
Why we recommend it
Recovery rates jump dramatically with an active tracker. EU-based options keep your location data GDPR-compliant. The #1 recovery tool.
- Real-time tracking + geofence alerts
- 20–60 day battery
- EU-based servers (GDPR)
- Magnetic, waterproof, easy to hide
- Small monthly SIM subscription
- Must be hidden well to avoid removal
€40–50
+ ~€5/mo
Visual deterrentStoplock
#4 Steering Wheel Lock
The classic visible deterrent. Thieves see it through the windscreen and move to an easier target. Fits in seconds; options range from budget bars to full-cover anti-grinder locks.
Why we recommend it
The most visible deterrent there is. Pair it with a Faraday pouch and you cover both keyless and physical theft.
- Instant, obvious deterrent
- Fits in ~10 seconds
- Full-cover versions resist angle grinders
- One-off cost, no battery
- Basic bars can be defeated by determined thieves
- Full-cover locks are heavy
€25–295
Double lockTevlaphee
#5 Steering Wheel-to-Pedal Lock
Locks the steering wheel to the brake or clutch pedal, so even if a thief bypasses keyless entry they physically cannot drive the car away.
Why we recommend it
Different weak point to a standard lock, and it took the longest to defeat in independent testing. A strong second layer.
- Locks steering + pedal together
- Full-metal construction
- Adjustable length
- Key or combination versions
- Takes a little longer to fit
- Bulky to store
€30–40
Block key cloningbbfly
#6 OBD Port Lock
Physically blocks the diagnostic (OBD-II) port that thieves use to program a new key in under two minutes. A mechanical lock with thousands of key variations.
Why we recommend it
OBD key-cloning is a common method for BMW, Ford, Kia and Toyota. This stops it cold in ten seconds of installation.
- Blocks key-cloning via the OBD port
- Tool-free install
- Purely mechanical — no wiring
- Universal fit (non-GM)
- Locate your OBD port first
- Adds a step to legitimate servicing
€25–60
24/7 surveillanceViofo
#7 Dashcam with Parking Mode
Records front and rear even while parked, using motion and impact detection. Captures anyone who approaches or tampers with your car — potentially their face and vehicle.
Why we recommend it
Evidence matters for insurance and recovery. Parking mode turns your car into its own witness 24/7.
- Front + rear recording
- Motion & impact parking mode
- Strong night vision
- Wi-Fi access from your phone
- Parking mode needs a hardwire kit or battery pack
- Higher upfront cost
€90–400
Protect your wheelsMcGard
#8 Locking Wheel Nuts
Replace one nut per wheel with a locking nut that needs a unique key socket only you have. Stops alloy wheels and rims — worth €500–€2,000 a set — walking off in minutes.
Why we recommend it
The same brand many manufacturers fit at the factory. A €30 upgrade that protects €2,000 of wheels.
- Unique key per set
- Hardened steel, OEM-grade
- Vehicle-specific fitments
- One-time fit
- Keep the key socket safe (needed for tyre changes)
- Match the correct thread size
€15–50
Instant alertsCarLock
#9 Car Alarm with GPS + Vibration Sensor
Get an instant phone notification the moment your car moves, vibrates or its engine starts unexpectedly. OBD-plug options combine tracking and alerts in one device.
Why we recommend it
Knowing within seconds that someone is tampering with your car buys you the time that makes recovery possible.
- Instant movement / engine-start alerts
- OBD-plug or stick-on options
- Combines tracking + alarm
- No professional install
- Some models need a subscription
- OBD models occupy the diagnostic port
€20–60
+ optional
Ultimate protectionAutowatch
#10 Ghost Immobiliser
Professionally installed, it requires a secret PIN entered via existing car buttons before the engine will start. Even with a cloned key, without the PIN the car won't move.
Why we recommend it
The highest level of protection — invisible, with no fobs or LEDs, and often earns an insurance discount. For high-value cars, this is the one.
- Defeats cloned keys entirely
- Invisible — no fobs or LEDs
- Uses existing car buttons for the PIN
- Often lowers insurance premiums
- Requires professional installation
- Highest cost on this list
€400–600
Protection bundles
Starter Protection
€30
The two essentials, together.
- Faraday pouch 2-pack
- Steering wheel lock
Smart Protection
€100
Relay, physical and basic tracking covered.
- Faraday box + 2 pouches
- Steering wheel lock
- AirTag tracker
Maximum Protection
€250
Signal, physical, tracking, OBD and video.
- Faraday 2-pack
- GPS tracker
- Steering lock
- OBD port lock
- Dashcam
Ultimate
€600+
For high-value cars — the full stack.
- Everything in Maximum
- Full-cover steering lock
- Ghost immobiliser (fitted)
About these recommendations
CarTrace may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only list products with a strong track record — but always check the fit for your own vehicle.