Where Do Car Dealers Put Tracking Devices?

Last Updated on January 1, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim

Usually, people who decide to install a GPS tracking device choose the space under the driver’s compartment. This is usually done by car dealers when a vehicle is financed by the buyer. More than 70% of all vehicles that are financed by a dealership, hide in this electronic device. 

Key Takeaways

  • Car dealerships don’t put tracking devices on the vehicles they sell
  • It is not legal for car dealerships to install tracking devices on vehicles without the owner’s consent
  • If you are concerned about tracking devices on your vehicle then you can use a device detector to check for any unwanted tracking devices

Active Vehicle Tracking Devices – Pros & Cons

ProsCons
1. Data transmissions can use different networks for this
2. Real-time data transmission offers really fast functionality
3. The results of using these devices are usually better profitability
4. This device allows better compliance with labor legislation
5. Customers have detailed information to know the delivery time of a product
1. The initial investment level is usually high
2. Each of the costs required for operation is high
3. There are not a lot of networks everywhere
4. Some employees may refuse to be tracked during their work 

How To Find A GPS Tracker In A Car?

In a lot of cases, people are driving a used vehicle without knowing that there is a GPS tracker installed inside. This is often done because dealers want to avoid non-payment of vehicle financing. However, this is not something that is mandatory and that you should leave in your vehicle.

In most cases, you can find that tracker to remove it permanently. The most common cases in which this electronic device is installed are

1. Vehicles that are part of a fleet in a company

2. Vehicles intended for use as company cabs

3. People who are suspicious of their spouse and want to investigate further 

A GPS tracker is a device that can be bought on the market very easily. Therefore, this means that anyone can have access to a GPS tracker. At the same time, there are other spy objects such as small cameras and microphones.

So, a GPS tracker is another spy device among the variety that exists. You can find two types of GPS tracking devices. Some of them require a subscription to receive data from the device.

Monitored Devices: In this case, data transmission is required so that the user can know the location of the device in real time. This device can transmit the necessary data at intervals or constantly. At the same time, a set of batteries is usually included to allow the device to be turned on at the moment when data needs to be sent.

After that, these devices are simply turned off to save battery usage time. Finally, the transmitted data can be received on a smartphone or a computer that is connected to the internet. In this way, the user can know at all times, the exact location of the GPS device and therefore of a vehicle or a person.

Unmonitored Devices: In this case, it is a device that works as a handheld GPS device. Each of these units does not transmit the location and stores reference points on board. In particular, this device can collect data and coordinates to establish a path. 

In this case, these devices do not require a subscription and are therefore less expensive. Here, the stored data must be downloaded by the user to be able to know the necessary information. 

1. Knowing Where To Look 

In this case, it is necessary to know that these GPS devices are small and compact. So, if you don’t know exactly where to look you probably won’t find the device. Here, you can learn three different ways to start looking for a GPS-tracking device in your vehicle. Some of them can be useful to get more privacy. 

You even need to consider that not all GPS tracking devices should be hidden from the user. Some devices are simply installed for really legitimate reasons. When a device is not designed to be seen, then you can start looking outside. Of course, you will need to do a thorough analysis of the outside of your vehicle to find the device.

Also, you need to keep in mind that not all GPS tracking devices have the same design. So, this is a point you should consider if you want to recognize where this device is. One of the general aspects of these devices is that they include a magnetic side and a small box in their design.

Along with this, a light and an antenna can be included, although this is not always the case. Also, usually the thickness is 1 inch, the width is 2 inches, and the length could be 3 to 4 inches. Here, it would be advisable to have a telescopic mirror, an electronic sweeper, or simply a flashlight. You should inspect every dark space in the vehicle.

2. Begin A Physical Inspection

Here you should start by checking each of the darker parts of the vehicle. In this case, it is important to know that this device is compact and very weather resistant. So, in most cases, you will choose the outside of the vehicle and the bottom. Of course, you will need a flashlight if you want to get good results.

First of all, use the flashlight in combination with your hands to detect as much of the vehicle as possible. Here, you can start with the front and rear wheels by feeling each of the areas that are not visible. In general, it does not make sense to check the plastic cover whether a device has a magnetic side. Therefore, you should check the metal parts.

You can also use a mirror so that you can check the vehicle’s undercarriage. Here, you should consider that dirt may interfere with your search. Keep in mind that the tracker probably has the same dirt as the rest of the vehicle’s components. Therefore, your attention should be developed to detect that there is something strange. 

Another space you should check is under the hood of the vehicle. Some of the most popular places are air ducts, a nook, and a cranny near the battery, behind the radiator, the firewall, or near the strut towers. However, the tracker is not very likely to be in this location, as the hood often raises too much temperature, which damages the device.

One of the things you should consider is that the person who installed the tracking device wants to hide it. However, the installation location should be quick and discreet. This way, that same person can remove the device without arousing suspicion. Therefore, you should start looking at the most accessible sites. 

Finally, we recommend that you inspect the vehicle. Some places chosen are the dashboard, on the driver’s side, the trunk, under the seats, and the bottom of the dashboard. Each of these sites is perfect for installing a GPS-tracking device without arousing much suspicion.

3. Using An Electronic Sweeper

In this case, it is a device that will allow you to know if there is a transmission of a cellular signal to a radio frequency transmission. These devices are available on the market in different designs and sizes. Through a vibration, a flashing light, or an audible tone, you will be able to know where the GPS tracking device is located.

For the best results, you can ask another person to drive the vehicle while you look for the device. This is effective because some GPS tracking devices start working when the vehicle is in motion.

4. Removing The GPS Tracking Device

Once you have found the device, then you can easily remove it. In general, GPS tracking devices are powered by their batteries. Such a device is not connected to your vehicle’s battery. Also, if you can see some cables from the GPS device you should disconnect them.

If the device has a magnetic side you can remove it without any problem. Here, it is necessary to consider that there may be other cables next to the GPS tracking device.

You should remove this device very carefully so as not to damage other cables in the vehicle. After that, you are done and your vehicle is free of any tracking device. In other words, you will gain back your privacy.

References:

https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/10/how-buy-here-pay-here-gps-tracking-devices-work/

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-find-a-tracker-hidden-in-your-car