Ghost Immobiliser vs Faraday Pouch vs Steering Wheel Lock — What Actually Stops Thieves?
Three popular car security products, three completely different jobs. Which one should you buy? The honest answer: you probably need all three. Here's what each one does, what it doesn't do, and how to layer them for the best protection.
They do three completely different jobs
People often ask "should I get a Ghost, a Faraday pouch, or a steering lock?" as if they're alternatives. They're not — they protect against different threats. Picking one is like choosing between a seatbelt and an airbag. You want both.
Faraday Pouch
Stops signal capture outside your house. Prevents relay theft.
£10 – £30
Steering Lock
Visible deterrent. Makes your car harder to steal than the one next to it.
£30 – £150
Ghost Immobiliser
Prevents the engine from starting. Works even if thieves have your actual key.
£449 – £499
What each stops — and what it doesn't
| Threat | Faraday Pouch | Steering Lock | Ghost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relay theft (signal amplification from outside your house) | ✅ Stops completely | ❌ No effect | ✅ Can't drive away |
| Key cloning / code grabbing | ✅ Blocks signal | ❌ No effect | ✅ Won't start |
| Physical key theft (house break-in, bag snatch) | ❌ No effect | ⏳ Slows down | ✅ Won't start without PIN |
| OBD port hacking (programming a blank key through diagnostic port) | ❌ No effect | ❌ No effect | ✅ Blocks ECU start command |
| Carjacking (keys already in the ignition) | ❌ No effect | ❌ No effect | ⚠️ Already disarmed if PIN was entered |
| Opportunistic theft / joyriding | ❌ No effect | ✅ Strong deterrent | ✅ Won't start |
| Professional theft ring with flatbed truck | ❌ No effect | ❌ Can be bypassed | ✅ Can't be driven off truck |
✅ = effective | ⏳ = helps but not complete | ❌ = no effect | ⚠️ = limited protection in this scenario
Faraday pouch — the £10 first line
A Faraday pouch is a small wallet lined with metal mesh that blocks radio signals. Put your key fob inside, and the car can no longer detect it — which means a relay amplifier at your front door can't either.
Completely blocks relay attacks. Cheap. No installation. Works with any keyless fob. Police and insurance companies recommend them.
Doesn't help if a thief physically steals your keys. Doesn't stop the car being driven if the thief has the actual key. Requires you to remember to use it every time. Cheap pouches can wear out — the metal mesh degrades with folding.
Essential for any keyless car. Costs less than a takeaway. But by itself, it's only one layer — don't rely on it alone.
Steering wheel lock — the visible "move along" signal
A steering wheel lock is the simplest deterrent: a highly visible metal bar that physically prevents the steering wheel from turning. Thieves looking for a quick steal will see it and move to the next car.
Visible from outside the car — thieves can see it before they even try. Sold Secure-approved models (Stoplock Pro, Disklok) take serious tools and time to defeat. No electronics, nothing to go wrong.
A determined professional thief with an angle grinder can remove it in 30-60 seconds. Doesn't stop relay theft or key cloning. Doesn't protect against key theft. Inconvenient to put on and take off every journey.
Excellent visible deterrent for opportunistic theft. Worth having. But not a replacement for electronic security.
Ghost immobiliser — the ultimate fallback
The Ghost 2 is a CAN-bus immobiliser. It connects to your car's internal data network and intercepts the engine start command. To start the car, you must enter a PIN code using existing dashboard buttons (steering wheel controls, window switches, etc.) — before the engine will fire. No extra fobs, no visible lights, no radio signals for thieves to detect.
This is the one thing that stops the car being driven even if the thief has your actual keys. Invisible to diagnostic scanners. No key fobs to lose or clone. Insurance-approved — many insurers discount premiums. Completely reversible — no trace if removed.
Doesn't stop the car from being broken into. Doesn't prevent physical damage. If PIN is already entered (e.g. you've started the car), a carjacker could drive away. More expensive upfront than a pouch or lock — £449-£499 installed.
The single most effective anti-theft device you can buy. Worth every penny if your car is worth more than £5,000. But pair it with a Faraday pouch for complete coverage.
The best setup — and why you need all three
Here's the optimal layered security for a £15,000+ car with keyless entry:
Faraday pouch
£10-£30Stops relay attacks. Costs almost nothing. Non-negotiable for keyless cars.
Steering wheel lock (Stoplock Pro or Disklok)
£30-£150Visible deterrent. Makes your car a harder target than the next one. Works even when the pouch isn't in use.
Ghost 2 immobiliser
£449-£499The ultimate fallback. Even if thieves have your keys, they can't drive the car. Insurance-approved. Peace of mind.
Total cost: £490 – £679 — less than the average insurance excess (£500) plus first-year premium increase after a theft claim (£300-£500). And unlike insurance, this actually prevents the theft in the first place.
Ready to Protect Your Car?
We install Ghost immobilisers at your home or workplace across Bridlington and East Yorkshire. About 2 hours. We also stock quality Faraday pouches in the van. Call for a fixed-price quote and availability.