CAT 5 vs CAT 6 Trackers: What's the Difference?

CAT 5 and CAT 6 were the older Thatcham classifications for insurance-approved vehicle trackers, with CAT 5 offering the highest level of security including driver identification and remote immobilisation, while CAT 6 provided solid tracking without those extra layers. 

Both categories were officially retired in 2019 and replaced by the modern S5 and S7 standards, so this guide explains exactly what the old terms meant and how they translate to what's actually available to buy today.

What Was a CAT 5 Tracker?

CAT 5 trackers represented the top tier of Thatcham-approved vehicle security before the classification system changed. They came with Level 1 police response, meaning a confirmed theft alert triggered a direct police dispatch rather than requiring further verification first, alongside motion sensors, automatic driver recognition and dedicated key theft protection.

The defining feature was the driver identification card. The device would actively search for an encrypted card the moment the ignition was turned on, and if it wasn't detected, the system would flag unauthorised use immediately. 

Remote immobilisation was also part of the specification, giving police or a licensed monitoring agency the ability to disable the vehicle's engine functions if a theft was confirmed.

What Was a CAT 6 Tracker?

CAT 6 sat a notch below CAT 5 in terms of security depth, though it remained a genuinely solid option for everyday vehicle protection. It relied on GPS, GPRS and GSM technology to provide continuous 24-hour monitoring, 365 days a year, giving owners reliable location tracking without the driver identification layer that defined CAT 5.

Crucially, CAT 6 devices didn't include Level 1 police response or remote immobilisation as standard, though driver identification was sometimes offered as an optional extra depending on the manufacturer. 

If a vehicle fitted with a CAT 6 tracker was stolen, the 24/7 control room would detect the unusual activity and liaise directly with police to support recovery, just without the same guaranteed dispatch priority as CAT 5.

Why These Terms Don't Officially Exist Anymore

Thatcham Research overhauled its classification system on 1st January 2019, retiring both CAT 5 and CAT 6 in favour of two new, more clearly defined categories: S5 and S7. This wasn't a cosmetic rename either, the actual technical requirements shifted slightly, tightening what a device needs to include before it earns Thatcham approval today.

If your insurer still asks for a "CAT 5 tracker," they're almost certainly referring to what's now officially called an S5 tracker, since that's the direct modern equivalent. Similarly, a request for a "CAT 6 tracker" now means an S7 device. Understanding this mapping matters because buying a genuinely CAT 5 or CAT 6 labelled product today isn't possible, manufacturers only produce and certify devices against the current S5 and S7 standards.

How CAT 5 Maps to Today's S5 Category

The modern S5 category absorbed most of what defined CAT 5, though with one notable adjustment. S5 still requires a driver identification device to be present, meaning Automatic Driver Recognition is now mandatory rather than a bonus feature, which directly targets relay theft and key cloning by checking for an authorised tag or card whenever the vehicle starts.

Where it differs slightly from the old CAT 5 spec is remote immobilisation. The S5 category removed the strict requirement for engine immobilisation that CAT 5 mandated, focusing the core standard on tracking and driver recognition, with immobilisation now often available as a manufacturer add-on rather than a baseline requirement. 

This is where devices like the GPSBob Thatcham S5 fit the modern picture well, combining Automatic Driver Recognition through TOTP technology tags with 4G-enabled real-time GPS tracking and a 24/7 monitored control room, all built to the current TSC597 standard rather than the retired CAT 5 specification.

How CAT 6 Maps to Today's S7 Category

CAT 6's successor is more straightforward. The S7 category largely combines what used to be CAT 6 and CAT 7 into a single, unified standard focused on post-theft tracking and asset location, without the mandatory driver identification tag that defines S5. 

In practical terms, an S7 tracker still provides continuous GPS monitoring, motion detection and a 24/7 monitored control room, it simply raises the alarm after unauthorised movement is detected rather than actively checking for an authorised driver before the engine even starts.

This makes S7 the more accessible, budget-friendly tier for vehicles that don't specifically need driver recognition. The GPSBob Thatcham S7 reflects this positioning closely, offering 4G-enabled real-time tracking and advanced anti-theft alerts through a 24/7 monitored control room, built to the TSC600 standard, and priced at £169.99 for the device with a £9.99 monthly plan and no lock-in commitment.

Which One Do You Actually Need Today?

Since CAT 5 and CAT 6 no longer exist as purchasable products, the real question is whether your insurer requires S5 or S7 compliance. Generally, S5 is required for higher-value vehicles, keyless entry cars on high-theft-risk lists, or anything specifically flagged as vulnerable to relay attack. S7 is typically sufficient for standard family cars, vans and motorcycles where basic movement-based tracking satisfies the policy condition.

Checking your exact policy wording rather than assuming which category applies is worth doing before buying, since paying for S5-level protection with driver recognition when your insurer only asks for S7 is an avoidable extra cost, while under-specifying leaves you technically non-compliant with the policy.

Find the Right Modern Tracker for Your Policy

Now that you know how the old CAT 5 and CAT 6 classifications translate to today's standards, take a look at GPSBob's full range of car trackers for straightforward, subscription-free tracking, or browse the Thatcham-approved insurance vehicle trackers collection to find the right S5 or S7 device for your specific insurer requirement.

FAQs

Are CAT 5 and CAT 6 trackers still legal to use if already fitted to an older vehicle?

Yes, existing CAT 5 or CAT 6 devices can generally continue to be recognised by insurers, provided the monitoring service hasn't lapsed and the unit still passes regular health checks.

Can I still find genuine CAT 5 or CAT 6 hardware for sale in the UK?

No, manufacturers no longer produce devices certified against the retired CAT 5 or CAT 6 standards, so any new purchase will be certified to the current S5 or S7 specification instead.

Does switching from a CAT 6 device to a modern S7 tracker require a new installation?

Yes, since the underlying hardware and certification differ, a full replacement and reinstallation is typically needed rather than a simple software update.

Is CAT 7 the same as CAT 6?

No, CAT 7 was a separate, lower-tier classification historically used for asset location without full vehicle tracking, and it was also absorbed into the modern S7 category in 2019.

Do motorhomes and caravans use the same CAT 5 and CAT 6 equivalents as cars?

Largely yes, though caravan and motorhome insurers sometimes apply slightly different practical requirements around driver identification tags within the S5 and S7 framework.