Do dealerships put trackers in the car?


Editorial team Published on

Yes, car dealerships sometimes put GPS trackers on cars.

Why Dealerships Use Trackers

  • Inventory and Lot Management: Dealers use trackers to locate vehicles on large lots before they are sold.
  • Buy Here, Pay Here / Subprime Financing: High-risk loans or in-house financing lots often install trackers—sometimes with starter-interrupt "kill switches"—to repossess vehicles if buyers miss payments.
  • Theft Recovery and Add-ons: Some dealers install trackers as security features or bundle them as expensive add-on packages ("hard adds") to boost profits.

Where Trackers Are Hidden

  • OBD-II Port: Plugged directly under the driver's side dashboard.
  • Under the Dashboard or Glove Box: Tucked away with zip-ties or hidden behind kick panels.
  • Fuse Panel or Engine Bay: Wired directly into a power source near the battery.
  • Under-Carriage: Magnetically attached to the exterior frame.

What the Law Says

Dealerships are generally required to disclose tracking devices and obtain your written consent, especially if the car is fully purchased or financed. Always review your sales or lease contracts to check for hidden charges or disclosures regarding GPS tracking. You can learn more about how tracking operates in inventory and finance via GPX.