If someone always seems to know where you have been, a hidden GPS tracker on your car is one possible reason. Most trackers are small, battery powered boxes that can be fitted in under a minute. The good news is that many of them can be found with a torch and twenty minutes of careful looking.
This guide covers the places trackers are most often hidden, how to check each one, and what to do if you find something.
What a car GPS tracker looks like
- Magnetic box trackers. A black plastic box about the size of a deck of cards or a small phone, with strong magnets on one side. These are the most common because they need no wiring.
- Plug-in (OBD) trackers. A small unit that plugs into the car's diagnostic port, usually under the dashboard near the driver's knees.
- Hard-wired trackers. A small module connected to the car's power, often hidden behind panels with thin wires leading to it.
- Bluetooth tags. Coin-sized tags such as AirTags. They use nearby phones rather than GPS, and are often dropped in a bag, glovebox or seat pocket.
Where to look on the outside of the car
Magnetic trackers need a flat metal surface and are usually placed where they can be reached quickly. Use a torch and, if you have one, an inspection mirror.
- Inside the wheel arches. Feel around the top and back of each arch, behind the plastic liner where you can reach.
- Under the front and rear bumpers. Run your hand along the inside edge of each bumper.
- Along the underside. Check the metal frame rails along each side of the car, especially near the doors.
- Around the tow bar and number plates. The tow bar mount and the area above the rear plate are common spots.
Look for anything that does not match the rest of the car: a clean box on a dirty underbody, cable ties, tape or a small aerial.
Where to look inside the car
- The diagnostic (OBD) port. Usually under the dashboard on the driver's side. If something is plugged in that you did not fit, it is worth investigating.
- Under the seats. Check the springs, rails and the pockets on the back of the front seats.
- The boot. Lift the floor and check around the spare wheel and in the side compartments.
- Behind the dashboard and fuse box. Wired trackers are often tucked near the fuse box or behind the glovebox.
- Bags, the glovebox and door pockets. The usual places for Bluetooth tags.
Use your phone to check for Bluetooth tags
iPhones warn you automatically if an unknown AirTag is moving with you. On Android, the unknown tracker alerts setting does the same for many tag brands. These checks only find Bluetooth tags, not GPS trackers with their own SIM card.
Why a quick check can miss a tracker
Many GPS trackers only send their location every few minutes, or only when the car moves, so handheld detectors only pick them up while they are transmitting. Trackers can also be wired in behind trim panels that you would not normally remove. If you have searched and still believe your car is being tracked, a professional vehicle sweep is the most reliable option.
What to do if you find a tracker
- Do not remove it straight away if you feel unsafe. Removing it can alert the person who fitted it.
- Take photos of the device and where it was fitted, and note the date and time.
- Contact the police if you believe you are being stalked or followed. Fitting a tracking device to someone else's car without their consent is an offence in most Australian states and territories, and tracking a person can also amount to stalking.
- Get professional help to check the rest of the vehicle, your home and your phone.
If you are worried about family or domestic violence, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 at any time, or 000 in an emergency.
Professional vehicle sweeps
Our technicians check vehicles for GPS trackers, Bluetooth tags and listening devices using RF analysers and a careful physical inspection, including areas behind trim panels. Vehicle sweeps start from $1,300 and are booked discreetly. Request a private quote.
Common questions
Can a mechanic find a GPS tracker?
A mechanic may spot a plug-in or wired device during a service, but they are not usually looking for one. A professional sweep is designed to find devices that have been deliberately hidden.
Do GPS trackers need to be charged?
Battery trackers do, usually every one to four weeks, so whoever fitted it may need to come back to recharge or swap it. Wired trackers draw power from the car.
Is it legal to track my own car?
Yes, you can track a vehicle you own. Tracking a vehicle you do not own, or a person, without consent is restricted. See our lawful use guide.