The tracker shows the wrong position
GPS positions come from satellite signals, and accuracy gets worse near buildings, bridges and trees (gps.gov). Narrow streets, covered yards and underground car parks can cause jumps or drift, and a vehicle parked in a covered area may show the last good position until the signal returns. If a vehicle is consistently wrong in an open location, ask the supplier to check where the tracker is fitted and how it is configured.
A tracker has stopped reporting
- Power: a hardwired unit that loses its supply may report on a backup battery for a short time and then go quiet. A battery unit may be flat. See tracker battery life.
- Mobile connection: the SIM may be in an area with poor coverage, or the tracker may depend on 3G, which Eir is retiring after Vodafone did so in 2024. See the guide to the 3G switch-off in Ireland.
- Recent work on the vehicle: a battery change, a repair or a new accessory can disturb a wired tracker.
- Platform flags: check whether the platform shows when a unit last reported, and ask for an alert for units that go quiet.
Updates are late or the route looks jumpy
Trackers report at set intervals, so a long interval gives a rougher route and a later live position, and poor coverage delays reports. A shorter interval gives more detail but uses more data and, on battery units, more battery. See how GPS vehicle tracking works.
Alerts that do not make sense
Geofence alerts depend on how the zone is drawn, so a zone that is too small for GPS accuracy can fire while a vehicle is parked inside it. Ignition and movement alerts depend on the unit being wired and configured for the vehicle. Test each alert rule with a real journey before relying on it. See our guide to geofencing.
Concerns from drivers
If drivers are uneasy, the usual cause is that they were not told what is collected and why. Be open about it, restrict who can see the data and limit tracking outside working hours. See vehicle tracking and GDPR in Ireland.
What to do next
Note the vehicle, the time and what you expected to see, then contact your supplier. Talk to Trackmatic if you want help with a tracker or are choosing a new system.
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