Trackers

[Trojax]

So it's that time of year again and my Vodaphone tracker is up for renewal this year they are after £173 for 1 year or £451 for 3 years. Is it worth using the VW app for this instead ??

 

[KevH]

In my limited experience of receiving notifications via the app, there is a very very long delay before it comes through. Pity.
I too have a Vodafone tracker and had the same dilemma at renewal. I paid up this time but it really is getting to be past acceptable.

 

[johnyboy]

TruTrak on my Defender is £60 a year, even has lifetime option

 

[dspuk]

I’m not aware the VW app has a tracker on it. There used to be a tracker of sorts on my VW Tiguan, but VW disabled it for privacy reasons. Have never seen one in the VW Cali app.

 

[KevH]

I’m not aware the VW app has a tracker on it. There used to be a tracker of sorts on my VW Tiguan, but VW disabled it for privacy reasons. Have never seen one in the VW Cali app.

Sorry to cause confusion.
I have had a couple of potential theft alerts via a Vodafone tracker as a result of forgetting to disarm when on a ferry. On both occasions I also received a subsequent notification from VW of a potential theft, but much much later (I am talking 24 hours later).
Hope this makes sense.

Anyway, back to the OPs question...it's a lot of money to shell out. In my case it was an insurance requirement.

 

[WelshGas]

I’m not aware the VW app has a tracker on it. There used to be a tracker of sorts on my VW Tiguan, but VW disabled it for privacy reasons. Have never seen one in the VW Cali app.

Volkswagen App tied into a WE Connect subscription.

 

[stoobthealien]

Volkswagen App tied into a WE Connect subscription.

Can't the thief just turn off location on the infotainment though?

 

[WelshGas]

Can't the thief just turn off location on the infotainment though?

I’m sure they can, if they have the key, just as they can block a 3rd party tracker.
The trick is to not let them have access to the Key in the first place.

 

[lohr500]

TruTrak on my Defender is £60 a year, even has lifetime option

+1 for TruTrak.

Not insurance approved, but cheap and so far (in 2 years) very reliable.

 

[Jay586]

Mine has just come through too, Metatrak, it's amazing but yep, very expensive.

 

[Trojax]

Many thanks for the reply’s I am in to minds on renewing this year and can pay for the VW app to do the same thing

 

[Up10]

2 March 2026 BBC1 at 8:30pm 'Track, Trace get my Car Back.'
Also showed a caravan.

 

[KevH]

Many thanks for the reply’s I am in to minds on renewing this year and can pay for the VW app to do the same thing

Key difference (apart from cost) is that the tracker company will liaise with police to recover your van, whereas VW won't. You may have an idea where the van is, but will the police, or your insurer, act on that information. I would hope so, but I like to base security risk on more than a 'fingers crossed' possibility.
As always, it's 'pays your money and takes your choice'.
@WelshGas makes a good point, that if your keys are secure and you lock your van, it is very difficult to start the engine.

 

[Trojax]

Yes I was also wondering what sort of cost difference has on people insurance when you have the active tracker

 

[stoobthealien]

I have also taped a

Yes I was also wondering what sort of cost difference has on people insurance when you have the active tracker

I'm paying £390 for a brand new beach - I can't think the roi on a tracker would be there

 

[OverDub]

Sounds like this is an insurance discussion and for tracking the Cali we have the VW App in Europe that shows a location and also happy using an Apple AirTag.