How to Check If Your Vehicle Has a GPS Tracker Fitted

There are several legitimate reasons to check whether a vehicle has a GPS tracker fitted. Fleet managers need to verify that hardware has been installed correctly before relying on it. Operators buying or taking on used vehicles want to know what is already fitted. Fleet administrators auditing older vehicles may not have records of what was installed by a previous team.

This guide covers where to look physically, what to look for, and how to verify through fleet software.

Check the OBD port first

The OBD port is the easiest place to start. It is the 16-pin diagnostic connector found on all vehicles manufactured after 2001 in the UK. On most vehicles it is located beneath the dashboard on the driver’s side, often near the steering column or under a small panel.

A plug-in OBD tracker will be immediately visible: it is a small device (usually the size of a car key) plugged directly into the port. It may have a small LED indicator.

If nothing is plugged into the OBD port, that rules out OBD devices but does not rule out hardwired trackers.

Where hardwired trackers are typically installed

Hardwired trackers require a power connection and are usually installed in one of these locations:

• Behind the dashboard or instrument cluster, where they can tap into the vehicle’s wiring loom.
• In the boot or cargo area, wired to a constant power supply from the rear fuse box.
• Under the bonnet, near the battery.
• Behind or beneath the seats, particularly in vehicles where the wiring is accessible from there.

What to look for: a small rectangular or cylindrical device, usually black, attached with cable ties or double-sided tape, with two or more wires running to the vehicle’s wiring. It may have a small GPS antenna, either internal or a small magnetic puck attached nearby.

External locations: wheel arches and undersides

Battery-powered magnetic trackers, which do not need to be wired into the vehicle, can be placed in wheel arches, behind bumpers, under the vehicle chassis, or inside the boot cavity. These are designed to be covert and hidden.

To check:

• Run your hand inside each wheel arch. Look for any device attached by a magnet.
• Check under the rear bumper and front bumper.
• Look along the underside of the vehicle if you have access to a ramp or inspection pit.
• Check inside the spare wheel well.

These locations are typically used for covert tracking purposes, not standard fleet installations.

How to verify through fleet software by IMEI

If you are a fleet manager and need to confirm whether a specific vehicle is tracked in the platform, the IMEI is the reference you need.

The IMEI is a 15-digit unique identifier for the tracker. It is printed on a label on the device itself and is also retrievable via SMS command on most devices (check your device documentation for the exact command).

In the Traknova platform, you can search by IMEI to confirm whether a device is registered and linked to a vehicle. If the IMEI shows data being received, the device is installed and communicating. If no IMEI is registered for a vehicle, either no tracker is fitted, or the tracker was fitted but never registered.

For operators using Traknova’s GPS tracking solution, the platform lists all active devices with their linked vehicle registrations, making it straightforward to audit which vehicles are being tracked.

Checking a used vehicle before purchase

If you are buying a used vehicle and want to check for trackers:

• Check the OBD port for plug-in devices.
• Inspect the wheel arches and underside for magnetic devices.
• Look for any unfamiliar devices or aftermarket wiring behind the dashboard.

Any tracker found on a vehicle you own (or are purchasing) is legally within your right to investigate, remove (if it is your vehicle), or report to police if you suspect it was installed without consent.

What to do if you find an unexpected tracker

If you are a fleet manager and find a tracker that is not in your records, cross-reference the IMEI with your fleet software. If the device does not appear in your platform, it was either installed by a previous operator, a leasing company, or in rare cases by someone without authorisation.

Contact Traknova or your fleet management provider to help identify the device based on its IMEI or physical markings.

Verify your fleet is tracked as intended

For fleet managers, the most efficient way to confirm all vehicles are fitted and communicating is a device health report in the platform rather than a physical inspection of each vehicle.

Traknova’s GPS tracking platform shows active and inactive devices across your fleet in one view. Book a demo to see how device auditing works in practice.