The Ultimate Showdown: Testing Car Immobilizers - Can They Really Keep Your Car Safe?

Most car immobilizers, such as wheel locks and boot clamps, are easily bypassed and offer little to no security.

The Barnacle, a high-end immobilizer, was the only product that provided some level of protection against car theft.

Low-cost immobilizers, including wheel locks and boot clamps, can be easily defeated with simple tools or brute force.

The California Immobilizer, despite its expensive price tag, failed to withstand our tests and didn't provide adequate security.

The Barnacle, with its suction cup design, proved to be the most difficult immobilizer to bypass, but it still had its weaknesses.

Do car immobilizers really work?

—Most car immobilizers are easily bypassed and offer little to no security. Only high-end immobilizers, like the Barnacle, provide some level of protection.

Are wheel locks effective in preventing car theft?

—Wheel locks are not effective in preventing car theft as they can be easily bypassed with simple tools or brute force.

Is the California Immobilizer worth its high price?

—No, the California Immobilizer failed to provide adequate security and is not worth its expensive price tag.

Which immobilizer proved to be the most secure?

—The Barnacle, with its suction cup design, proved to be the most difficult immobilizer to bypass, although it still had its weaknesses.

What is the cost of the Barnacle immobilizer?

—The Barnacle is lease-only and costs $250 per month to use.

00:01We tested various car immobilizers, including wheel locks, boot clamps, and suction cups, to see if they can prevent car theft.

02:34The turn art wheel lock was easily defeated and proved to be flimsy.

03:39The 50 Mooney Raider wheel lock was also easily defeated with brute force.

06:08The $90 Trevally wheel lock failed to provide any effective security.

09:26The $450 California Immobilizer also failed to provide adequate security and is not worth the high price.

12:30The Barnacle, a high-end immobilizer with suction cups, proved to be the most difficult to bypass.

14:30We successfully bypassed the Barnacle, but it still provided some level of security.