Tracker and dash cam installation is just as important as choosing the right security equipment. A poorly fitted tracker may be easier to find and disable, while a badly positioned dash cam can have an obstructed view and provide poor-quality footage when you need it most.
Why Tracker and Dash Cam Installation Matters
Modern vehicle thieves are often familiar with common tracker locations, particularly on high-value or frequently targeted models. A tracker glued under the dashboard where every installer puts it is easy to find with a basic RF detector. Professionally installed trackers are typically hidden in multiple possible locations — behind trim panels, within the engine bay loom, or built into less obvious areas of the vehicle — and wired directly into the car’s electrics rather than left on a battery that can be found and disconnected.
Common professional tracker locations
- Behind interior trim panels – dashboard, kick panels or door sills, away from obvious cavities
- Within the engine bay, tucked among existing wiring and away from heat sources
- Under the vehicle, in a sealed housing bolted to the chassis, for insurer-approved systems that require a hardwired power source
- Multiple locations on higher-spec systems, so a thief who finds one device doesn’t necessarily find them all
If you’re fitting a tracker to meet an iansurance requirement, always check whether your insurer specifies an approved product or installer — some policies only recognise Thatcham-categorised trackers, and using an uncertified device could mean the discount, or even the cover itself, doesn’t apply. Thatcham Research maintains the UK’s recognised vehicle security categories used by most major insurers.
Professional Tracker and Dash Cam Installation
A front-facing dash cam should sit centrally behind the rear-view mirror, low enough to stay clear of the windscreen wiper’s sweep but high enough not to obstruct your view of the road — a legal requirement, since anything that restricts the driver’s forward visibility can be a road safety issue. A rear-facing camera is typically mounted on the rear windscreen, angled to capture the full width of the lane behind. For the cleanest wiring, route the power cable along the top of the windscreen and down the A-pillar, tucked behind the trim rather than left dangling — both for a tidier finish and to stop it swinging into your eyeline.
Should you have a tracker and a dash cam professionally fitted?
Both can be fitted as DIY jobs, but professional installation reduces the risk of a tracker being found and disabled, and ensures a dash cam is wired safely into the car’s fuse box rather than left running from a cigarette lighter socket that switches off with the ignition. A specialist will also know the discreet routing points specific to your make and model.
Frequently asked questions
Do all insurers require a Thatcham-approved tracker?
Not all policies require one, but many high-value or high-risk vehicle policies do. Always check your policy documents or ask your insurer directly before choosing a tracker.
Can a thief detect and remove a professionally fitted tracker?
No security device is completely undetectable, but professional, hardwired, discreetly placed trackers are significantly harder to find and disable than a self-fitted battery unit left in an obvious spot.
Is a dash cam admissible as evidence in the UK?
Yes, dash cam footage is widely accepted by UK police and insurers as evidence following a collision or an incident of theft or vandalism, provided the footage is clear and the timestamp is accurate.
For advice on the right security setup for your vehicle, see our guide to car security upgrades that could lower your insurance premium, or contact AutoWagon directly for tailored advice across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.