Car alarm repair specialists

Compare prices and find specialists to get your car alarm fixed near you

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What can a car alarm specialist do?

A car alarm specialist, sometimes known as a vehicle security technician, is a person who has been trained and certified in how to install, maintain and fix car alarm systems. If your car alarm won't stop going off, these are the people who can help! You can tell someone is a specialist if they have a certificate from one of these awarding bodies — the TRI or MESF.

Car alarm specialist average costs and prices

The average cost for a car alarm specialist depends on the type of alarm system you want to repair or reprogramme. Some systems are much more complex than others and so they require extra labour to be properly installed. 

While simple car alarm faults can cost under £50 to be resolved, the average cost of a car alarm specialist booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £91.33. See below for the average cost by car make.

Car MakeAverage Price
Audi£90.14
BMW£60.62
Citroen£106.25
Ford£99.36
Mercedes£79.45
MINI£63.33
Nissan£113.50
Peugeot£56.88
Renault£102.40
Vauxhall£89.92
Volkswagen£97.67
Volvo£71.17

Common car alarm problems

Some of the most common issues with car alarms are:

  • Car alarm going off randomly

  • Door and boot latches wearing down and not shutting properly

  • Loose wires

  • Low or dead car battery

  • Incorrect installation 

If you notice your car alarm isn’t behaving as it should, bring your vehicle to a car alarm specialist. They’ll be able to fix the issue and alert you to anything else that may need to be repaired.

  • Car alarm repairs

    The average cost of an car alarm repair booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £91.33. If you're unfortunate enough to find that your car alarm keeps going off, you may need a car alarm repairs specialist to fix it for you. Depending on the issue, this could involve replacing the fob battery, checking over the wiring, or assessing the locks.

    Can include
    • Diagnosis
    • Car alarm repair
  • Car electrical diagnostic

    The average cost of a car electrical diagnostic booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £62.34.

    The more complicated part of fixing a problem with your car’s electrical system is figuring out exactly what’s going wrong in the system and where the fault is located. A car electrician will carry out a diagnostics test to pinpoint the exact source of the issue and recommend the appropriate repair.

    Can include
    • Car electrics inspection
    • Car electrical fault diagnostic test
  • Mobile mechanic

    The average cost of a mobile mechanic booked on WhoCanFixMyCar is £81.64.

    A mobile mechanic will visit you at your home or workplace and can carry out a wide range of different repairs. If the repair is more complex, the mechanic will collect your car, take it to a garage to be repaired, and drop it off when it's finished. The exact cost of a mobile mechanic will depend on the repair you need.

    Can include
    • Home visit
    • Servicing
    • Tyre change
    • Oil change
    • Recommended repairs

Why does my car alarm keep going off?

There are several reasons why your car alarm might keep going off. Some of the most common culprits are:

  • Dirty sensors

  • Worn down latches

  • Broken key fob 

  • Low key fob battery

  • Overly sensitive sensors

  • Low or dead car battery

  • Unmaintained battery terminals

  • Faulty wiring 

  • Incorrect installation

While some of these issues are pretty straightforward to fix, we always recommend contacting a professional. They’ll be able to take a look and let you know for sure what needs to be done to stop your car alarm going off. Read more in our guide

When do I need the help of a car alarm specialist?

The average car alarm lasts about one year before it requires some maintenance or needs to be replaced.

If you don’t have any issues or malfunctioning with your alarm, you should still take it to a car alarm specialist at least once a year to have the system inspected. You can easily combine this with your annual car service if it’s not already included in your full car service package.

Once you know there’s an issue with your car alarm, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible. Not only can it be annoying to you and your neighbours, but a defective alarm can even give your insurance company the right to invalidate your car insurance. 

If you’re unsure about whether or not you're obligated by your insurance to maintain your car alarm, be sure to read your policy or reach out to your car insurance provider’s customer support department.

What impacts the cost of a car alarm specialist?

The cost of hiring a car alarm specialist will vary from garage to garage or specialist to specialist. Some of the biggest factors affecting the price are:

  • Car make

  • Car year

  • What service you need (eg. repair or installation)

  • Sophistication of your alarm system

  • Location (some cities have higher labour costs than others)

  • Whether the installation or alarm unit comes with a warranty

Car alarm repair versus car key programming

Car alarm repairs and car key programming are two completely different services. 

Car alarm repairs will focus solely on making sure that the alarm unit, and the different components in the system, function properly. On the other hand, car key programming is about making sure that your car key fob communicates correctly with your car’s systems – this will include the car alarm system but many fobs nowadays are also used for other purposes, such as flashing your car lights and starting the vehicle.

That said, sometimes what looks like an issue with your car alarm system can in reality be an issue with your electronic car key. Your fob works by sending signals to your car. If it’s broken, it can send signals at random or even send the wrong signals altogether, resulting in a car alarm that seems to go off randomly.

A garage will usually have mechanics available who can help with both car alarm repairs and key programming, so your best bet is to bring your car in so that the cause of the issue can be diagnosed and fixed. In general, car key programming will cost more than repairing your car alarm itself. However, the price of each service depends on several factors such as the make and model of your car.

Find car alarm specialists near you

Most garages will have certified car alarm specialists on hand. However, before taking your car to a garage or mechanic for a car alarm service or repair, you should confirm that they offer the service you need. You can also ask them to confirm if a certified technician will be working on your car alarm system.

In order to make sure that you receive the best price, make sure to get a quote from more than one place. If you're unsure of which garages to reach out to, WhoCanFixMyCar can help you easily compare the garages and mechanics in your area. 

Find a mobile car alarm specialist near you

Mobile car alarm specialists are specialists that will come directly to your location to work on your car alarm. They’re able to fix most of the things that can go wrong with it. 

If you have a busy schedule or your car won’t start, mobile mechanics are a convenient option. The most surprising part is that, in many cases, they’re cheaper than taking your car into a garage. That’s because they’re often independent and don’t have to pay many of the overhead costs associated with operating out of a fixed location.

How much is a new car alarm?

Car alarm prices vary greatly. You can buy one online for as cheap as £30 or as much as £1,000 from high-end, speciality companies. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

What to do if your car alarm keeps going off?

There are several reasons why your car alarm may be going off. Some quick tips: 

  • Remove the old fuse and replace it with a new one

  • Remove and replace the battery of your car alarm and/or key fob

  • Disconnect the alarm from your car entirely

  • Take your car to a specialist to check for defective sensors or bad installation

When do car alarms go off?

Depending on the type of alarm you have, there are different triggers which may cause it to go off. Some of the most common sensor types and their triggers are: 

  • Voltage sensors (that measure the static voltage of the car). These go off when they register a drop in voltage, usually caused by someone trying to hotwire the car or to open the boot or car door. 

  • Shock sensors. These are usually set off when someone moves the car or tries to force their way in. Shock sensors have a reputation for being quite sensitive and are often accidentally set off. 

  • Hood and door sensors (a bit like switches that you place on doors and the boot of your car). These go off when the alarm is turned on and either the boot or car doors are opened.

Can heat cause a car alarm to go off?

Yes! Hot weather can cause car alarms to accidentally go off because heat can create variations in air pressure inside the car.

Is a car alarm specialist covered by insurance?

While your car insurance doesn’t cover the cost of a car alarm specialist, having a car alarm installed and maintained with the help of a specialist can significantly lower the cost of your insurance payments.

Many insurance companies will also offer discounts on car alarm units and immobilisers. Immobilisers are usually included as part of more high-end alarm systems because they prevent a thief from starting the car if they don’t use the right key or enter the correct code.

How do you fix a car alarm?

Depending on the issue, there are several ways to fix your car alarm. Some repairs can be quite easy to do on your own. However, if you aren’t trained on how to work with car alarm systems, we recommend taking your car to a specialist.

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