ScorpionTrack S7 vs S5 vs S5+ — Which One Is Right for You?

If you’re looking at ScorpionTrack’s range and trying to work out whether to go with the S7, the S5, or the S5+, you’re not alone. It’s a question we get regularly, and understandably so — all three are Thatcham-approved, all three come with 24/7 monitoring, and all three are designed and built in the UK. The differences come down to the level of protection you need and the specific threats your vehicle faces. 

This guide walks through what each tracker does, where it sits in the range, and who each one is actually suited for — so you can choose with confidence rather than guesswork. 

Overview of the ScorpionTrack S7 

The S7 is  ScorpionTrack’s entry-level Thatcham-approved tracker. It’s a solid, well-rounded product that covers the fundamentals of vehicle tracking and theft recovery without any unnecessary complexity. 

It gives you GPS positioning accurate to within 10 metres, a multi-network 4G roaming SIM so coverage holds up wherever you are in the UK and internationally, and real-time location through the ScorpionTrack app. 

The S7 is recognised by all major UK insurers and carries the Thatcham Category S7 certification — enough to satisfy most insurance requirements and bring your premiums down. It starts from £329 including professional fitting. 

Subscriptions run from £139 per year, with a lifetime option at £499. 

Overview of the ScorpionTrack S5 

The S5 steps up the protection significantly. It holds a higher Thatcham category and adds features specifically designed to counter the theft methods that are most common today — particularly relay attack and key cloning. 

The defining addition over the S7 is the Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) tag. This is a small tag carried by the driver. If the vehicle moves without the tag present, the system alerts the monitoring centre. 

That matters because modern car thieves rarely need your physical keys. Relay devices can clone your key signal from inside your home. The ADR system defeats this approach entirely, because even if a thief can start the car, the tracker fires an alert the moment the vehicle moves without a recognised tag detected. 

The S5 starts from £449 including fitting, with subscriptions from £155 per year (lifetime: £585). Immobilisation is available as an optional add-on. 

Overview of the ScorpionTrack S5+ 

The S5+ takes everything in the S5 and makes immobilisation a standard, built-in feature rather than something you add on later. 

There are two layers to this. The first is automatic immobilisation: the vehicle simply will not start unless an ADR tag is detected nearby. This is different from the S5’s alert system — it’s a physical barrier. A thief who has somehow managed to clone your key or compromise your car’s on-board computer still cannot drive away, because the car won’t start. 

The second layer is remote immobilisation, controlled by the monitoring centre. If a theft occurs and the ADR tag has somehow travelled with the vehicle — say, the thief grabbed your bag along with the keys — the monitoring team can remotely stop the engine from restarting once it is switched off. The car goes nowhere. 

The S5+ starts from £599 including fitting. Subscriptions start from £189 per year, with a lifetime option at £619. 

Key Differences at a Glance 

*Active subscription required for full functionality. Terms and conditions apply. 

*Lifetime subscription covers you for the duration of ownership for that vehicle. Please contact our subscriptions team for more information

Who Should Choose the S7? 

The S7 suits drivers who want Thatcham-approved tracking and 24/7 monitoring without the additional anti-theft layers of the S5 range. 

It’s a good fit if your insurer requires a Thatcham-approved tracker and the S7 category meets their specification. Many standard car insurance policies are satisfied by a Category S7 device, so if your policy doesn’t require a higher-rated tracker, the S7 does exactly what it needs to. 

It also works well for vehicles without keyless entry. Cars with a conventional key-turn ignition aren’t vulnerable to relay theft or key cloning — the attack methods the S5 range is specifically designed to counter. If you’re primarily after theft tracking and recovery rather than prevention, the S7 covers that well. 

Finally, if you’re looking to protect an additional vehicle — a van, a classic car kept in storage, or a fleet asset — the S7 delivers professional-grade tracking at a straightforward price point. 

Who Should Choose the S5? 

The S5 is for drivers of newer vehicles, particularly those with keyless entry and push-button start, where relay theft and key cloning are genuine risks. 

If you drive a car that’s appeared on vehicle theft hot lists, or you’re aware of keyless theft happening in your area, the S5’s ADR system directly addresses how that type of theft works. Without a recognised tag present, your car won’t leave undetected — the monitoring centre is alerted the moment it moves. 

It’s also the right choice for anyone whose insurer specifically requires a Category S5-VTS rated tracker. Several insurers mandate S5 approval for higher-value vehicles or for owners with previous theft claims. ScorpionTrack’s S5 is recognised across the UK insurance market and satisfies that requirement. 

The optional remote immobilisation add-on is worth considering if you’d like that extra capability without committing to the S5+ price — though if immobilisation matters to you, the S5+ is a cleaner solution since it comes with immobilisation as standard. 

Who Should Choose the S5+? 

The S5+ is for drivers who want the strongest possible protection and don’t want to leave anything optional. 

The built-in automatic immobilisation changes the dynamic of a potential theft. With the S5, a thief who bypasses your key security can still drive away while the monitoring team scrambles to alert police. With the S5+, the car won’t start at all without the ADR tag. That’s the difference between detection and prevention. 

It suits high-value vehicles, performance cars, and prestige cars — the models that are actively targeted by organised theft rings equipped with relay and cloning technology. If your vehicle regularly appears in theft statistics or is stored overnight in an area with a high rate of vehicle crime, the S5+ closes off the routes that the S5 would only flag after the fact. 

It’s also a straightforward choice if you simply want peace of mind: everything is included, nothing is optional, and the protection is as complete as a tracker can offer. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do all three trackers qualify for an insurance discount? 

Yes. All three — the S7, S5, and S5+ — are Thatcham-approved and recognised by UK insurers. The level of discount varies by insurer and policy, but all three carry recognised Thatcham certification that can potentially reduce your premium. For specific requirements, check with your insurer whether they require Category S5-VTS or if S7 approval is sufficient. 

What is Automatic Driver Recognition (ADR) and why does it matter? 

The ADR system uses a small tag carried by the driver to confirm that a legitimate driver is present. If the vehicle moves without the tag being detected, the monitoring centre is alerted immediately. This is particularly valuable against relay theft, where criminals use signal-boosting devices to clone your key fob’s signal — allowing them to unlock and start the car without your actual key. The ADR tag creates an additional layer that this method cannot bypass. 

Can I add remote immobilisation to the S5 later? 

Yes, immobilisation is available as an optional add-on for both the S7 and the S5. However, if immobilisation is something you want, the S5+ includes immobilisation as a standard feature — so it’s usually better value to start there rather than adding it to an S5 afterwards. 

What happens if I change vehicles — can I transfer my tracker? 

Yes. All three trackers are transferable from one vehicle to another. Contact the ScorpionTrack direct sales team to arrange the transfer, and your subscription and monitoring continue on the new vehicle. 

Is fitting included in the price? 

Yes. All three trackers include free professional fitting at a location of your choice anywhere on the UK mainland. SGH Connect, our approved fitting engineers, will contact you after purchase to arrange a time and place that suits you — at home, at work, or elsewhere. 

How does the monitoring centre work? 

ScorpionTrack’s monitoring centre operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If your tracker detects unauthorised movement or an alert is triggered, the monitoring team contacts you straight away to confirm whether a theft has taken place. If a theft has occurred, the ScorpionTrack Vehicle Recovery Team will request a Crime Reference number. Once a Crime Reference number has been provided to the Vehicle Recovery Team they will liaise directly with the Police to coordinate the recovery. 

Which One Is Right for You? 

The short answer: if your vehicle has keyless entry and you want full protection against modern theft methods, go with the S5 or S5+. The S5 gives you ADR-based alert detection; the S5+ adds immobilisation so the car physically cannot be driven away without your tag. 

If your insurer requires Thatcham approval, the S7 is usually the minimum standard they’ll ask for. If your insurer is satisfied with the S7, and your vehicle doesn’t carry the vulnerabilities that relay theft exploits, it’s a capable, well-priced tracker that does the job it’s designed to do. Some insurers — particularly for higher-value or keyless vehicles — require the higher S5 standard instead.  

For personalised advice based on your specific vehicle and insurance requirements, get in touch with the ScorpionTrack team. 

Explore the full ScorpionTrack range on our website.