Moving from S7 to S5 adds Automatic Driver Recognition to monitored vehicle tracking. At Thatcham Trackers, the standard fitted S7 is £169 and S5 is £349. Monitoring stays £10.99 per month for either category. These are new-package prices; replacing an existing system needs an individual quote.
Updated 30 September 2026. Prices include VAT; optional extras and specialist packages are excluded.
What changes between S7 and S5?
S7 supports vehicle location and monitored recovery. S5 adds a driver tag so movement without a recognised tag can prompt an unauthorised-use alert. Standard S5 does not stop the engine starting. Our standard S5 Plus package adds tag-operated No Tag, No Start immobilisation; S5 Plus is our package description, not a separate certification category.
| Package | Device and fitting | Monthly monitoring | First year with 12 monthly payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| S7 | £169 | £10.99 | £300.88 |
| S5 | £349 | £10.99 | £480.88 |
| S5 Plus | £449 | £10.99 | £580.88 |
The first monitoring month paid at checkout counts as one of the twelve payments. Later payments are set up separately. See our current price comparison and product options before ordering.
Is S5 worth the extra £180?
At our current standard fitted prices, S7 is £169 and S5 is £349: an extra £180 for S5 driver recognition, with the same £10.99/month monitoring. Choose S5 if your insurer requires it or you want alerts when the vehicle moves without a recognised driver tag. If your insurer accepts S7 and you only need monitored tracking, S7 may meet your needs at a lower upfront cost. Standard S5 does not add immobilisation. These are new-package prices; ask for a quote to replace an existing tracker. See our full cost comparison.
Do other providers charge more for S5 monitoring?
Some providers charge different monthly fees by category. ScorpionTrack’s published subscriptions, checked 30 September 2026, list S7 ALS at £12.49/month, S5 at £13.49/month and S5+ at £16.99/month. Our monthly monitoring is £10.99 for each of S7, S5 and S5 Plus. This compares monthly monitoring charges only, not hardware, features, prepaid plans or contract terms; offers can change.
What should I check before upgrading?
- Check the category, named device, installation conditions and activation deadline in your insurance schedule. If it specifies S5, S7 is not a substitute unless the insurer agrees.
- Tell us your vehicle make, model, year and existing security equipment. EVs and hybrids may need a different immobilisation package.
- Ask for a quote for any removal, replacement, fitting and certification work. The £180 difference between new packages is not a universal retrofit charge.
- Confirm the required tags, payment terms and fitting arrangements before booking.
How does the upgrade work?
- Send us your vehicle details and insurer’s wording.
- Agree suitable hardware and a professional fitting appointment. Ask whether the existing S7 needs removing or can remain as a separate backup.
- Allow time for fitting, testing, tag setup and a demonstration. Duration depends on the vehicle and package.
- Complete activation and monitoring setup, then check the installation certificate.
- Send the evidence to your insurer if requested and confirm acceptance.
Using your S5 day to day
Carry your authorised tag and keep it separate from the vehicle keys where practical. Do not leave it in the vehicle. Follow the supplied battery and servicing instructions, keep monitoring active and update your contact details when they change. Arrange any system test with the installer or monitoring team.
Will upgrading reduce my insurance premium?
Some insurers offer savings for approved devices. Comfort Insurance describes a 5% motorhome discount for Aviva-approved tracking devices. Caravan Guard describes a 25% motorhome discount for devices it approves, with a maximum security-device discount of 25%. These are specific motorhome examples, not guaranteed savings for cars or every S7/S5 device. Ask your insurer to confirm eligibility, the exact device and your quoted premium before buying. Sources checked 30 September 2026.
Can an S5 tracker be jammed?
Yes. Like other GPS-based equipment, a vehicle tracker’s GPS reception can be disrupted by deliberate radio interference; mobile communications can also be affected. S5 driver recognition does not make GPS immune to jamming. Resistance, backup technologies and alerts depend on the exact device. GPS.gov explains GPS interference, and Ofcom explains how jammers interfere with reception. We do not claim that our trackers are unjammable. If you suspect theft, contact the police and monitoring provider promptly.
Jamming disrupts reception while effective interference is present. If it stops, an intact, powered tracker may regain a usable GPS signal and mobile connection and resume reporting, subject to coverage and the device’s operation. That is not a guarantee of immediate updates or recovery. Removal, damage, shielding or loss of power can also stop reporting. We have not found reliable UK data measuring how often GPS trackers are jammed continuously throughout a theft, so we cannot describe this as “very rare”. UK government guidance describes misuse of jammers as a real and growing risk.
Choose the right protection
Compare S7, S5 and S5 Plus, or contact us with your vehicle and policy wording. Professional fitting is included with our standard wired packages. Monitoring is separate. A self-fit battery S7 is a different product with its own verification requirements.
For independent category information, see Thatcham Research’s security categories. No tracker guarantees theft prevention or recovery.