Alastair Shephard

Content Writer

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

 have had their cars stolen, and a further third have had their cars broken into?

Unfortunately, car break-ins and thefts are more common than you’d expect. However, there are ways to keep an eye on your vehicle, even when you’re not driving—introducing car trackers.

Below, we’re exploring car trackers, how they work, and how to put one on your car to keep it extra secure. 

A car tracker uses GPS technology and cellular networks to track your vehicle’s location. They can also give real-time information about your car’s speed, distance, and direction.

Sometimes, car trackers are also called vehicle tracking systems. 

Many of us depend heavily on our cars, and life would undoubtedly be far more stressful without one.

Car theft can cause financial and emotional burdens. There’s a lot of paperwork to deal with from 

 to hire car expenses. Not only that, but you may even face the loss of your no-claims bonus. 

A car tracker helps you find your car quickly—and even deters thieves if they notice it. 

Alternatively, you can place a sticker (often included with the tracker) on your car to warn thieves that you have the technology.

Car trackers work the same way as your navigation system—they use GPS tracking.

GPS works by communicating with a set of satellites to send a signal from your car. This signal shows the car’s location based on the distance from the satellites, giving you your live location and speed. 

Most car trackers are small rectangle boxes around four inches long and two inches wide.

These are either installed in the car within the wiring or placed in more visible locations, such as the glovebox, 

Car trackers are usually black to blend in with the average car interior. However, if you want a more obvious box, you can find models in grey or white.

How you install the car tracker depends on the type you buy.

Higher-end devices need to be wired into the car’s system. The company often sends out an 

More affordable trackers can be self-installed, usually through a magnet or sticker strip. 

Both offer good coverage but come at different price points and with different lifespans and add-on advantages.

Now you know how car trackers work and what they look like, it’s time to analyse the benefits. Here’s what you can expect:

The general opinion is that car trackers are worth the money. Investing in one helps you protect your car and avoid potential thefts. This will also lower your car insurance premium, saving you money in the long run. 

So, it’s a wise addition to consider, especially if you’ve spent a lot of money on your current vehicle. 

Car trackers vary in price, with some around £30 and others at £200 or more.

Some even use monthly subscription price models, allowing you to 

mobility cars are fitted with location trackers

often if several drivers have access to the vehicle or if none live at the customer’s address. The tracking information is only examined if the Motability scheme believes the car is being misused—and they’ll always talk to the customer before doing so.

Advanced car trackers can detect GPS signals underground, ensuring your vehicle remains visible to police even if hidden in containers or transported across Europe.

Yes. Most car trackers connect to smartphone apps which show you where your car is and its recent journeys.

Most car trackers work over any range and don’t have any limitations. The car location information is also usually accurate to within three metres. 

AirTags are cheaper than some car trackers, but it’s not recommended that they be used as car trackers. They don’t support live tracking for objects that are in motion, so you won‘t have live updates on your vehicle’s journey. 

Car trackers are an excellent modern solution to car theft—and they’re a powerful tool for peace of mind. Whether you travel frequently or live in an area with a high rate of break-ins, a tracker can help you deter theft and monitor your car’s position.

Learn more about looking after your car on the Bumper blog now.

Theft isn’t the only expensive problem car owners face. Last-minute repairs can also put a dent in your budget. 

, you can split the cost of repairs into monthly payments at no extra cost. 

Apply online for up to £5,000 and choose from 1,000s of trusted repairers. 

How Do Car Trackers Work?

 give back if you drive well? That’s true for black box car insurance, and it’s a popular option for new drivers who usually face steep premiums.

If you opt for this insurance, you must install a black box that records your driving habits. The information is sent to the insurance company and directly impacts your premium.

 the safer you drive, the cheaper your insurance is.

Below, we’ll explore black box car insurance, its benefits and drawbacks, and whether it’s the right option for you.

Black box insurance (also known as telematics insurance) uses a small black box that monitors your driving. 

This data creates a driving score and shows how safe you drive. Higher scores are given to safer drivers, and they can lower your insurance premium when it’s time to renew.

Many drivers opt for black box insurance to save money and to adopt safer driving habits. Plus, it makes the roads safer for all—can’t beat that!

Black boxes track a range of driving metrics, including:

Black boxes come with plenty of benefits, and they’re especially popular for inexperienced drivers and those with high premiums. Here are the main advantages:

The advantages of black box car insurance are impressive. However, before you proceed, take a few moments to consider both sides.

Here are some potential disadvantages of black box car insurance:

Black boxes are easy and quick to install and don’t affect your car’s performance. Here’s a step-by-step rundown of a black box fitting:

All done! It’s that simple—you don’t have to roll up your sleeves.

In some cases, an insurer will require you to install the black box.

If this happens, they’ll send the self-fit box by post with simple installation instructions. You should follow these and fit the box within the first 14 days, otherwise your policy will become invalid. 

Your technician will install the black box in a discreet position—usually under the car’s dashboard. The fitting may change depending on your car’s make and model.

However, you can be confident it’ll be out of sight and mind.

Technically, yes, you can remove your black box.

But this would violate the terms of the policy and could lead to your insurance being cancelled. 

Only the insurance company can see your black box driving data.

Companies know privacy is a top concern and ensure your driving data is protected at all times. You can read your chosen insurer’s data protection policy to learn more.

Most black box car insurers allow you to check your driver score via an app. This way, you can see how you’re driving and improve your habits if need be. 

That’s a wrap on the mystery of black box car insurance. This unique policy allows drivers to potentially access cheaper premiums and save money by proving they’re safe on the roads.

Always weigh up the pros and cons before going forward to make the best decision for your driving habits and finances.

High insurance premiums can be an unwelcome surprise, and so can last-minute car repair bills.

What is Black Box Car Insurance?

If you prefer to take some of the stress out of driving by having an automatic, but don’t need a large engine or car, you may find your choice is slightly limited, especially with a budget constraint too. 

Thankfully though, this blog will give some good options for the best small automatic cars in the UK, all for under £5,000.

Whilst the styling may not be to everyone's taste, you can’t dispute the practicality or reliability of a used 

As standard, it offers pretty much the same storage space as a larger family-sized hatchback, but all whilst being only slightly bigger than a supermini.

Even though the Jazz seems to hold its value well, £5,000 will comfortably get you either the 1.3 

CVT drivetrain, or the 1.4 petrol engine. Both will provide long service, provided they are serviced on time, and no gear changing needed!

Expect to get a 2012 car with around 80,000 miles on the clock for £5k, check for service history and 

 the one weakness of most small Japanese cars.

As it’s the best-selling car in the UK, there’s no doubt the 

 works well for UK roads, its compact exterior combined with ample interior space make it the perfect sized car for many. 

The options for automatics are limited, with mainly petrol engines to pick from. 

A post-2013 car certainly looks more modern, but make sure the engine oil has been changed on time, many of these 1.0-litre Ecoboost engines suffered with 

An earlier, pre-2013 car won’t give the same issues, but the 1.4 or 1.6 engines are a little less efficient.

£4,500 will buy a pre-2012 car with under 80,000 miles, budget nearer £5,000 for the later car, but watch out for that 

There’s plenty of engine choices to pick from with this generation (07-14)of 

 from the 1.2 TSI, a turbocharged petrol, to the really quite nippy 1.4 vRS. 

All three options can be paired to the Volkswagen Audi Group DSG 

 which is a great box, as long as it’s maintained.

Inside, even the high spec vRS model feels a little bare, with mostly hard plastics and a purely functional design. The included features are generally quite good, though with most vRS models having cruise control, 

As it’s based on the same platform as the Skoda Fabia mentioned above, the 09-17 shape 

 offers roughly the same amount of space inside, with the benefit of having a slightly better interior, there’s less harsh plastics, and the dash and controls are much more aesthetically pleasing.

Mechanically, the Polo and Fabia are very similar, sharing the same selection of engines and gearboxes. 

If you want to grab a bargain under £5000, then you’ll likely have to settle for slightly higher mileage, or an older vehicle, if you want the VW over the Skoda.

Whilst the pre-2012 models now look a bit dated, the later 

 (2012-2018) still feels somewhat contemporary. 

They feature the same shape grille as the new cars, and the LED side lights add to the modern feel. 

Only one engine option is really available to those needing an auto; the 1.6 turbo diesel. Thankfully this engine is a pretty good one, offering reliability and a claimed 62 MPG, even with the automatic gearbox.

A low mileage 2014 Kia Ceed model can be bought for just under £5,000, and there’s plenty of choice on the secondhand market.

Certainly on the larger size of what could be considered a small car, you do get a lot for your money with a 

The 1.6 TDI gives a good balance of economy and power, with a claimed 67MPG possible. If you do plenty of motorway journeys, you might find the extra power that comes with the 2.0 TDI worthwhile.

For less than £5,000 you will be looking at cars made around 2010 - 2013, you can typically find examples with just under 100,000 miles on the clock.

Make sure the DSG gearbox has been serviced, it is a well-performing gearbox, but can give issues if not maintained.

 is a great little car, they have a decent amount of interior space, reasonably good handling and are 

 The auto is only available with the larger 1.5 litre engine, which is still reasonably 

Like many small Japanese cars, the interior is functional but basic, with steering wheel controls and air conditioning being the most you can expect.

A great deal because with £4,000 you’ll be able to buy a half-decent car, with sub 80,000 miles, though it will be a little older than most on this list.

Certainly a left-field option, and whilst not strictly an automatic, an 

 does have the same easy driving style, having just two pedals.

 was one of the first affordable EVs that appeared on the market, but there’s still plenty of life to be had from an older electric car. 

The significant downside of an older EV is the reduction in range, when the new Leaf had around 100 miles, a 2017 car, which is just about possible on a £5k budget, is likely to have around 75 miles of range in 2025. 

 and somewhere to charge it, this could be a viable budget option. 

Being one of the most popular super-minis since its release, the 

 clearly filled a gap in the market for a very small, reliable car perfect for new drivers or those living in cities. 

Thankfully, it was also offered in an automatic version, called the “Multimode”. The name refers to the ability to be driven in manual mode.

Its gearbox is an automated-manual, something I would usually say to stay away from, but despite being a little hesitant at low speeds, the multimode box is said to be surprisingly good, and above all, reliable.

A 2012-2013 Toyota Aygo can be bought for under £4,000, with less than 100,000 miles on the clock.

What is the best type of automatic to buy?

Its said that the traditional torque-converter gearbox is the most dependable, as it is the simplest. However they are less efficient than a DSG or twin clutch gearbox, and usually best suited to cars with bigger engines. 

It depends on your circumstances, for some people, depressing the clutch can become tiresome or painful, especially in traffic. Autos also allow you to focus more on the road ahead.

That said, manuals are usually cheaper, and offer new drivers a chance to acutely understand how their drivetrain functions, which can help further down the road.

What are the downsides of an automatic car?

There aren’t many, some drivers prefer the level of control you can get with a manual gearbox. Depending on the gearbox, they can be less efficient. Typically any problems that arise with the gearbox will be more expensive with an automatic, too.

Repair Your Automatic (or manual!) Car with Bumper

Bumper allows you to spread out those expensive bills, with zero-percent financing on car repairs. 

 can be found nationwide, getting you back on the road with minimal fuss, and eased cash-flow.

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Best Small Automatic Cars Under £5,000

9 Kleinwagen mit Automatikgetriebe unter 5000 €

With similar names and reminiscent styling, it may be a challenge to pick between the Karoq and the Kodiaq. This guide will pit one against the other, and should hopefully help you make a decision between these two Czech SUVs.

As Skoda's flagship, “full-size” SUV, the 

 is a favourite of larger families looking for that bit of extra space. It comes with either 5 or 7 seats, and in many different trim levels. Prices start at £38,720. 

Whilst the Kodiaq is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan, which is not the German brand’s largest SUV, the Kodiaq is the largest SUV offered by Skoda. It was first introduced in 2016, and the current car - launched in 2024, is the second generation. 

 is Skoda’s mid-size SUV/Crossover. It’s based on the same platform as the Seat Ateca, and is only available with 5 seats. Prices start at £30,670, and rise to just over £37,000 for the Sportline trim.

It was first introduced in 2017, to fill the gap left by the outgoing Yeti, a model loved by many for its spacious interior and quirky looks. So far sales have been strong, but the relatively new Kamiq has stolen some of the market share, more on that below.

If you’re looking for a large car, with as much space as possible, the Kodiaq is the best option. It is however a good deal larger than the Karoq, meaning it’ll be harder to park, and take more care to navigate narrow streets in. The table below compares the two.

We can see from the data above that the Kodiaq is a good 4 inches wider than the Karoq, this may not seem like much, but the Karoq is already a decent sized car, being 4 inches wider than a typical saloon car. 

The width and height contribute to both vehicles luggage capacity, though the Kodiaq’s is severely restricted with the 6th and 7th seats in place, but that’s something that can’t really be avoided, short of driving a minibus! 

There’s really no clear winner here, it will be purely down to how you want to use your car, if 7 seats or a large boot and 5 seats are a must, the Kodiaq takes a point. If not, it’s probably better to consider the smaller, and lighter Karoq.

Something to mention is that the Karoq is not currently available with any form of hybrid or electric powertrain. In contrast, you can get the Kodiaq in EV, hybrid or petrol/diesel variants. This can also affect both company car tax, and VED.

This earns points for Kodiaq, as it means it can match the much smaller Karoq in running costs. 

If you’re not interested in any electrification, you can pick from 4 different engine options in the Karoq.

Engine options between the two models are reasonably good, with a range of petrol and diesels on offer.

In the SE and SE-L trim Kodiaq, you can pick from either a 1.5 or a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol, with 150 and 190hp respectively. There's only one diesel engine available, with multiple power outputs on offer, from 150 to 240hp. Hybrid options include a mild system or a plug-in, both in conjunction with the 1.5 TSI petrol engine.

None of the engine options for the Kodiaq are available with a manual gearbox, they all come with the VW-group DSG twin-clutch automatic.

Options in the standard trim Karoq range from a 1.0 or 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol, or a 2.0 litre diesel. No hybrid is on offer. Power ranges from 116hp from the 1.0 petrol, to 150hp, from all other options. The 1.5 petrol is available in both DSG (auto) and manual.

If we’re being honest, there isn’t a huge difference between the Kodiaq and the Karoq, both share the same design language and have similar proportions. The big difference is best seen in person, where the overall scale of the Kodiaq is apparent.

Both cars are good to look at, especially in sportline or VRs trim, where the chrome is replaced with black accents, and the 17” alloys are upgraded to 5-spoke diamond cut ones. 

You could be forgiven for thinking, whilst inside a Karoq, that it's simply a low-spec Kodiaq, they share many of the same dashboard features and designs. 

Both feature the same centre console design, with the gear selector being sandwiched between two vertical panels, the difference being the base spec Karoq simply uses hard, textured plastic, whilst most versions of the Kodiaq are finished in soft touch leather.

The seats are another area that differs between the two cars, the Kodiaq getting sculpted “microsuede” upholstery, with the Karoq featuring plain old cloth. That said, many of the pre-spec’d Karoqs you can buy today, have the quilted suede too.

Naturally both cars come with the same warranty term, of 3 years or 60,000 miles. This is paltry if we compare it to that of Hyundai and Kia, but if you do significant mileage per year, and will be 

Reliability is a tricky one to place, without a few years' data to look back on, it's entirely speculation. However, recent WhatCar reliability ratings typically place Skoda in the mid-upper third, which should mean both cars are reasonably reliable.

Both cars received a 5 star NCAP rating, which is pretty typical of Volkswagen Group vehicles. They scored pretty closely in most areas, some of the key takeaways being listed below. 

Averaging across the board, there is no clear winner between the two, with the Kodiaq having a higher child occupant safety, but lower adult safety score. Safe to say, both cars will offer excellent protection in an accident. 

With the Kodiaq being the bigger car, it’s naturally the more expensive of the two, it also comes with larger and more powerful engines. The Karq does include many of the same tech features though, with things like the heated front seats, heated steering wheel and the reversing camera as standard.

If we compare the base spec cars, the 5 seat Kodiaq comes in at around £8,000 more than the Karoq, considering the latter is loaded with tech as standard, it’s really only the size you’re paying more for. 

These are very similar cars, with only their size setting them apart. Whilst the Kodiaq has an enormous boot (on the 5 seat version), the Karoq starts at over £8,000 cheaper. Personally, unless I was in dire need of those two extra seats, I’d pick the Karoq.

However, if carrying 7 people is something you do regularly, the Kodiaq has to be the car to go for. That said, with both of these cars facing stiff competition, and the market being in uncertain times, shop around for deals on both.

Skoda Kodiaq Vs Skoda Karoq

Getting a speeding ticket isn’t on anyone’s to-do list. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you'd think.

 statistics show that 44% of drivers speed on 30mph roads, and up to 45% go over the 70mph motorway limit. 

Remember, speed limits are there for a reason and the best way to avoid a ticket is to drive safely. However, if you receive an unfair ticket, you might want to dispute it. 

Keep reading to learn how to appeal a speeding ticket and whether it’s even worth it.

You should appeal a speeding ticket if you suspect your car number plate has been cloned or if your car has been stolen. In these cases, you must contact the police, explain what’s happened, and provide evidence.

But what about if you or someone you know was driving?

If you received a speeding ticket but weren’t driving the car, you need to provide their details, or you’ll face a fine and 

When you get a speeding ticket, you first get a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP). This asks you to confirm whether you were driving. So, if you weren't, you should submit the real driver’s information. 

You must plead ‘not guilty’ to the speeding offence when completing either form. 

If a police officer caught you, you wouldn’t receive a NIP. Instead, you’ll get a Fixed Penalty Notice that doesn’t allow for a ‘not guilty’ submission.

It’s usually not worth appealing a speeding fine.

you can’t directly appeal to the police. So, you might end up with some expensive legal fees.

Also, if your appeal isn’t successful, you might face an even larger penalty than the original fine.

It’s rare for a speeding ticket appeal to be successful. Before you begin, consider whether you have legitimate reasons and evidence for an appeal.

Even in cases where you’ve sped over a reduced motorway limit on an empty road, you’ll still be found guilty because the set limit is the law. 

Want to appeal your speeding fine? Here are some common reasons for dispute:

Appealing a speeding ticket in the UK is simple. Here are the main steps you’ll need to take:

1. Respond to the NIP and state you’re not guilty of speeding.

2. You’ll receive a court summons — prepare your evidence and consider working with a traffic offences solicitor.

4. The court will then decide whether your appeal is or isn’t successful.

Can you avoid points from a speeding ticket?

You can avoid points on your licence by attending a speed awareness course.

However, this isn’t offered in all cases, so you might have to take the points. 

Also, once you attend a speeding course, you can’t go to another for three years. This rule is in place to keep repeat speeders from dodging points.

Should I appeal a speeding ticket without evidence?

If you don’t have evidence to support your case, you shouldn’t appeal the speeding ticket.

You’ll likely waste time and money trying to appeal your case, and you may be slapped with another big fine if it’s found unsuccessful.

What happens if I ignore a speeding ticket?

If you don’t respond to the speeding ticket NIP within 28 days, your case will go to court, as failing to provide the required information is also an offence.

If you’re convicted you’ll get six penalty points and possibly a fine.

Understanding how to appeal a speeding ticket is helpful, but the real power lies in knowing whether it’s worth the battle. 

And remember, you can avoid speeding tickets 100% of the time by following the limit!

Speeding tickets can be expensive, just like last-minute car repair bills.

How To Appeal a Speeding Ticket

Have you noticed the term ‘insurance group’ while shopping for a car or comparing quotes? 

 groups are a system for assessing a vehicle’s insurance risk based on various factors.

Learn what insurance groups mean, how they work, what impacts your premium, and tips to lower your costs below.

Car insurance groups are groups used by the insurance industry to set premiums. They first appeared in the 1970s to simplify car insurance quotes and to judge potential risks.

Today, vehicles are assigned an insurance group from 1 to 50, with 1 being 

Cars in lower groups generally cost less to insure, while those in higher groups are pricier. Rare, fast, or expensive cars often fall into higher groups, leading to higher premiums. 

Overall, the group system helps insurers calculate premiums, providing a baseline, though other factors also affect the final cost.

What do car insurance group letters mean?

Each car insurance group is assigned a letter representing the car’s safety ability.

Without understanding the letter system, you can’t figure out your insurance group meaning. Here’s a quick overview:

Car insurance group ratings don’t only feature letters. They also have numbers, for example 1A or 21 D.

Advice

How Do Car Trackers Work?

What is Black Box Car Insurance?

Best Small Automatic Cars Under £5,000

Skoda Kodiaq Vs Skoda Karoq

How To Appeal a Speeding Ticket

Car Insurance Group Meaning - Complete Guide

Best Used Cars Under £5,000

How Does A Fuel Card Work?