General Interest

Classic Japanese Motorcycles

ABOUT THATCHAM

Established by the British insurance industry in 1969 as the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, Thatcham has an international reputation as a centre of excellence. Traditionally an independent, non-profit making accident repair research centre, Thatcham is a world leader in vehicle security testing, safety research on whiplash, and a leading trainer provider in Europe for the body repair industry.

A founder member of The Research Council for Automobile Repairs (RCAR), an international body of Insurance sponsored repair research centres, of which there are currently 24 in 17 countries.

At the start of this year (2004) Thatcham became a member of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). Euro NCAP’s established and unrivalled reputation as one of the world’s leading motor vehicle safety bodies, offers invaluable advice and test results direct to consumers.

Jointly owned by members of the ABI (Association of British Insurers) and LMUA (LLoyd's Motor Underwriters Association), Thatcham is partly funded by a levy on these member insurance companies. All UK motor insurers contribute to and benefit from Thatcham's work.

Thieves are becoming increasingly technologically aware in the methods they adopt to steal vehicles. Because of this, security systems have to do more than just sound a loud alarm.

In 1993 the British insurance industry test centre at Thatcham in Berkshire was tasked with establishing standards for car security systems - testing, evaluating and approving them as able to meet the demands required by insurance companies. The result was the Thatcham set of criteria, rigorous product testing standards and lists of approved products, reviewed regularly. Thatcham gives Category numbers to each section of the security market:

Category 1:

Combined alarm and immobiliser system with self-powered siren and two point engine immobilisation system. Category 1 systems meet Thatcham's toughest testing criteria. The category usually specified by car insurers.

Basic Features:

Alarm system
Flashes indicators when alarm operates
Battery backup siren
Automatic arming of immobiliser
Minimum 2 circuit immobilization i.e. Fuel pump & starter motor.
Anti scan anti grab remote controls
All black wiring
Anti tamper control box
Automatic arming
Thatcham approval number

Category 2:

ELECTRONIC IMMOBILISER

Two or more point engine immobilisation system. Offers no interior protection for goods left in the vehicle.

Basic Features:

Minimum 2 circuit immobilization i.e. Fuel pump & starter motor.
Anti scan anti grab remote controls
All black wiring
Anti tamper control box
Automatic arming
Thatcham approval number

Category 2 to 1 Upgrade:

ALARM UPGRADES

Upgrades a vehicle that has a Thatcham Category 2 immobiliser already installed to a full Thatcham Category 1 alarm system.

Basic Features:

Alarm system
Flashes indicators when alarm operates
Battery backup siren
Automatic arming of immobiliser
Uses vehicles factory fitted immobiliser
Anti scan anti grab remote controls
All black wiring
Anti tamper control box
Automatic arming
Thatcham approval number

Cat 3 mechanical devices:

MECHANICAL IMMOBILISER

A mechanical security device such as a steering wheel lock or gear lever lock etc. To be approved by Thatcham it must withstand an attack of at least five minutes.

Check to see the Thatcham Security rating of your Vehicle
CARS
VANS
TRUCKS

MOTORCYCLES

Category MC1: COMBINED ALARM AND IMMOBILISER

Category MC2: ELECTRONIC/ELECTROMECHANICAL IMMOBILISER

Category MC2..1: ALARM UPGRADE

Category MC3: MECHANICAL IMMOBILISER

Category MC4: SINGLE CIRCUIT – ELECTRONIC IMMOBILISER

Glossary of Thatcham Terms

See ALARMS for more information

THATCHAM car security site

Thatcham Contact information

Thatcham
The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre
Colthrop Way
Thatcham
Berks RG19 4NR
UK
Main switchboard: +44 (0)1635 868855
Main fax: +44 (0)1635 871346

Training Department
Thatcham Training Centre
Daytona Drive
Thatcham
Berks RG19 4ZD
UK
Email: training@thatcham.org
Fax: +44 (0)1635 868863
To discuss general courses, phone +44 (0)1635 294806/7
To discuss bespoke training, phone +44 (0)1635 294824

Sales and Marketing Department
Press & Media Services
Tel: +44 (0)1635 294826
Fax: +44 (0)1635 861862
Email: sales@thatcham.org

Thatcham Productions: simont@thatcham.org

Vehicle Security National Helpline: 0870 5502006
For other enquiries, send an email to: enquiries@thatcham.org