Motoring Advice

Manufacturers' standard security devices are often not effective enough to protect your car. Studies of new cars often reveal that they fail to meet the Home Office's security guidelines, which suggests that a car's locking system should keep a thief at bay for at least two minutes. The most important security features are locks, alarms and immobilisers.

Central locking secures all car doors when the key is turned in just one lock. Some systems also close any windows that have been inadvertently left open. Remote central locking systems are operated as you approach the vehicle via a button on the key fob

Deadlocks are highly effective. They prevent doors being opened even if windows are smashed.

Alarms are effective up to a point. Make sure the system does not work on what is known as a 'voltage drop'. This type of alarm is triggered by a drop in car battery voltage, which happens when someone tries to start the engine. However, cold winter weather can also sap the battery's power, causing the alarm to go off by itself.

Immobilisers come in two forms:

• Physical: bars that fit on to the steering wheel, locking it to the accelerator or gear lever
• Electronic: devices that stop the engine from working if the car is broken into. All new cars now have some form of engine immobiliser.

Tracking systems
Depending on the cost of your car and the area you live in, you may wish to invest in a tracking system which, when activated, can pinpoint your car by satellite. It is estimated that 95 per cent of stolen vehicles using this system are recovered but the fitting and monthly costs can be high. The coverage is now being extended to mainland Europe too. Leading systems include Tracker and NavTrak and they can be astonishingly sophisticated. The latest NavTrak system has a discreet personal ID tag, so even if the thief steals the car with the keys (e.g. by breaking into your house), the control room is alerted.