How to Check if There is a Tracker on Your Car
4 Answers
Here are the methods to check if there is a tracker on your car: 1. Directly search the car (strong magnet, non-installation type): GPS trackers may be placed in relatively hidden locations, such as the rear bumper, inside or outside the doors, etc. 2. Check the wiring (wired type): Some GPS trackers require connection to the car's power lines. Therefore, to check for trackers, you can search along the car's power lines. 3. Check the OBD port (OBD port type): By plugging into the OBD port, functions such as point naming, timed tracking, fuel consumption analysis, and driving optimization can be used, so the OBD port should also be checked when searching.
Every time I wash my car, I also inspect the chassis and wheel arch areas since trackers are often hidden in these concealed spots. During my last maintenance at the 4S店, the technician taught me: first, check the OBD port for any unusual connected devices—it's the vehicle's data port. Then, use a flashlight to examine the gaps under the seats and around the spare tire compartment in the trunk. Before driving, I walk around the car, paying special attention to any new adhesive marks on the front and rear bumpers. The most important thing to watch for is small magnets suddenly attached to the chassis, as these cheap trackers are the most common. When washing the car, I ask the staff to focus on cleaning these areas to make it easier to spot foreign objects. If the car is parked outdoors for long periods, it's advisable to regularly check the inner side of the wheels and near the exhaust pipe, as these are also popular installation spots.
Installing a signal scanning app on your phone can be quite effective. Apps like Wireless Finder can detect abnormal Bluetooth or GPS frequencies. First, I turn off my phone's Bluetooth, then slowly scan inside the car, especially under the dashboard and around the dome light area, which are often overlooked. A friend taught me a trick: before driving at night, turn off the car lights and use the phone's camera to scan the interior—some trackers' infrared indicators might be exposed. If you can borrow a spectrum analyzer, even better, as it can pinpoint the signal source accurately. Also, remember to check the cigarette lighter socket for any extra charging devices; sometimes, trackers are disguised as air purifiers. Focus on inspecting the glove compartment lining and the gaps in the seat adjustment tracks. If you're handy, you can even remove the door trim panel to check the wiring harness.
I make it a habit to inspect under my car at the end of each month, focusing on the area around the fuel tank and the driveshaft mounting bracket. Last time, I found a magnetic tracker attached to the inside of the spare tire mount, which I almost missed. I recommend using a high-powered flashlight to check the grooves on the back of the wheel rims, as black magnetic devices are hard to spot on metal surfaces. During routine checks, make sure to feel along the leather folds of the seats and the connection points of the headrest rods—professional installers often use double-sided tape to hide trackers in small holes. Lift the soft padding at the bottom of the center console to inspect, and for modified cars, pay extra attention to the wiring harness behind the audio head unit. Don’t forget to squeeze the edges of the floor mats, as soft materials can conceal items without any noticeable feel—metal detectors aren’t very useful in this case.
