Can a dealership track a stolen car?
Asked by: Nicklaus Harber II | Last update: August 13, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (10 votes)
Can cars be tracked if stolen?
There are 5 different ways to track a stolen car: Report the license plate to the police. Check its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) maintenance log. Find the location using a pre-installed Bluetooth tracking system.
What happens when a car is stolen from a dealership?
The car dealers generally tell the car owners to file the theft claim with their own insurance and you might have to pay a deductible when you did nothing wrong. In this situation your insurance company may go after the car dealer's insurance company to cover the cost.
Can a financed car be tracked?
Loan Payments
GPS tracking allows auto financing companies to keep constant track of vehicle locations, no matter where they are. If there are late payments, the location of the asset can be easily repossessed.
Can repo companies track my car?
Repossession happens when a lender takes back a car because the borrower has fallen behind on payments. Repo agents use personal details, social media, and tools like GPS trackers and license plate scanners to find vehicles.
Stolen car tracked down by car dealer
What happens if the repo man never finds your car?
What Happens If the Repo Agent Doesn't Find Your Car? But if you make it hard for the repo agent to get it, then the creditor may use another method to get the car back, called "replevin." Replevin can be just as costly as a repossession, if not more so.
Does my car have a tracker from the dealership?
Yes, dealerships are typically obligated to disclose the presence of tracking devices in the vehicle's documentation.
What happens if your car is stolen and you are financing it?
Unless you take out GAP insurance when financing a car, you will have to continue making monthly payments when the vehicle is stolen. However, you will be free to sign a new agreement once you have paid off the remaining balance on your auto loan.
Is it illegal to remove tracker from financed car?
In conclusion, removing a GPS tracker from a financed car without the lender's permission is not legal.
Can title loan find your car?
Title loan companies have several ways to find your car if you don't make your payments. They use basic information from your loan application and credit report first and then use other tactics, such as checking local neighborhoods or accessing public information.
Do stolen cars ever get returned?
The quicker you report the theft, the higher the chances of recovering your vehicle. According to the Insurance Information Institute, cars reported stolen in the first 24 hours have a 34 percent same-day recovery rate. More than 85 percent of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered.
Do police do anything about stolen cars?
Once the police receive the report, they will investigate and check for any leads or surveillance footage that could help identify the thief. They may also notify surrounding law enforcement agencies and other organizations specializing in stolen vehicle recovery, such as the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
How long does a stolen car stay in the system?
A report of a stolen vehicle, or of a vehicle taken or driven in violation of Section 10851, is effective for a period of not less than one year from the date first reported or longer as the department may determine.
Can police track my stolen car?
The Police Tracking Computer provides the police officer, via the dispatcher, all pertinent information about the stolen vehicle. The LoJack monitor installed in patrol cars has a strength indicator that tells the officer if he is within one mile of the stolen vehicle, allowing time for back-up help to be called.
Where do stolen cars usually end up?
According to the FBI, a car is stolen in the U.S. about once every 40 seconds. Many of them end up at ports like the Port of Baltimore, where they are put on cargo ships headed to West Africa.
How to check if a stolen car has been found?
NICB's VINCheck is a free lookup service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle may have a record of an insurance theft claim, and has not been recovered, or has ever been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies.
What happens if you remove a dealership tracker?
Removing a GPS tracking device without the dealership's permission isn't just a violation of trust—it's actually illegal. Doing so goes against the terms of the loan agreement and could lead to serious actions from the dealership, including the possibility of repossession.
Can a finance company track your car?
Attempting to boost used-car sales, car dealers and finance companies have begun using GPS and starter interrupt devices (a.k.a., kill switches) to eliminate the risk of their customers' default by allowing them to locate vehicles and prevent them from starting.
Can a dealership disable your car?
Oh yes. They can most certainly immobilize your vehicle and GPS track its location. Many “Buy here Pay here" lots install these devices so that if you don't pay, they can shut you down and collect their vehicle. Many high-risk lenders also do this.
How do I track my car if it's stolen?
- File a “Car Stolen” Report to the Police. ...
- Track Stolen Car with VIN Number. ...
- Use GPS Device to Track Your Stolen Car. ...
- Check Security Camera Footage to Find Your Stolen Car. ...
- Contact Your Insurance Company. ...
- Inform Your Leasing Company If Your Rented Car Is Stolen.
Can you trace in a car that is financed?
Yes, you can trade in a financed car, but the balance of your loan doesn't just disappear when you do so — it still has to be paid off. In most cases, the loan balance should be covered by the trade-in value of the vehicle, but that will depend on a variety of factors, including condition and age.
How long does it take police to find a stolen car?
If you report your car as stolen immediately to police, there's a better chance it will be recovered. In fact, according to NICB data, 35% of recovered stolen vehicles are recovered on the same day as the theft, and 45% are recovered within two days.
How do you check if a car has a tracker?
Under Seats: Feel beneath and between seats for small devices or unfamiliar objects. Dashboard and Glove Compartment: Open the glove compartment and visually inspect the dashboard area. Sometimes trackers are disguised as regular items. Data Ports: Check the OBD-II port (usually near the steering wheel).
Where do dealerships hide GPS?
Generally under the dash but it could be anywhere they can get battery power. Where do used car dealers like to install the GPS devices on the cars they sell?
Do dealerships put airtags on cars?
Unless you paid cash for the vehicle, it is likely that the airtag was installed by the selling dealer.