How to tell if your vehicle has a hidden GPS tracker

Vehicle trackers fall into two camps: cheap battery-powered Bluetooth trackers (AirTags, Tile) and harder-to-find wired GPS units. Both can be planted in seconds by someone with brief access to your car.

Someone references your movements (where you parked, what time you arrived). Strange new 'accessories' on your car. Wires you don't recognise around the dashboard or under the steering column. Battery drain on a parked car.

Walk around the car (and inside it) with your phone. iPhone: Find My → Items → Identify Found Item. Android: Settings → Safety & emergency → Unknown tracker alerts → Scan now. Catches AirTags and SmartTags within minutes.

Wheel wells (front and rear, all four). Under bumpers (front and rear). Inside the licence plate frame if it's aftermarket. Magnetic boxes are common — sweep with a strong magnet or torch.

OBD-II port (under the steering column, driver's side) — anything plugged in you didn't install is suspicious. Under seats, glove box, boot trim. Behind the rear-view mirror. Hardwired trackers tap the car's power, so look for spliced wires.