Sold Secure Ratings Explained: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond
If you have shopped for a wheel clamp, hitch lock or padlock, you will have seen products described as Sold Secure Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond. This guide explains what those ratings mean, so you can choose the right level of protection with confidence.
What is Sold Secure?
Sold Secure is a UK testing and certification house for security products. Products that pass its testing are awarded a rating. Testing is based on how long a product can hold out against specific tools and common theft techniques.
The main difference between the grades is the set of tools used in the attack test and how long the product has to resist them.
The four grades
Bronze
Bronze products are tested against a basic tool list. Sold Secure describes this level as good resistance against the opportunist thief, suited to a normal risk environment.
Silver
Silver products face a longer attack test using an enhanced tool list. This grade is aimed at a higher risk environment and the more determined thief.
Gold
Gold products are tested against a dedicated tool list and are intended for high-risk environments. Many of the Bulldog wheel clamps and hitch locks we stock carry Sold Secure Gold approval.
Diamond
Diamond is the top rating. It uses a more extensive tool list than Gold, including angle grinder attacks, and is intended for the highest threat environments.
Which grade do you need?
Sold Secure’s own advice is that the right grade depends on what you are securing and where it is kept. As a general rule, the higher the value of the item, the higher the rating you should aim for.
A few examples from our range show how the grades line up in practice:
- Diamond: the Quad Shield Wheelclamp, a drive-in clamp for ATVs and UTVs.
- Gold: Bulldog hitch locks such as the DKS, DM and BR10, Bulldog Titan and Centaur wheel clamps, Sold Secure Gold ground anchors and the Nemesis 16mm padlock.
- Silver: the Supaclamp Duo Silver wheel clamp, the Federal hasp and padlock, and the Secure A Door garage door lock.
- Bronze: the PJB Garage Defender Master.
Check your insurance first
Many insurers ask for a Sold Secure rated product, and some specify the exact grade they need. Before you buy, check your policy wording or ask your insurer which rating they require. Keep your receipt and any product documentation somewhere safe in case you need to make a claim.
Secured by Design
Some Bulldog products also carry Secured by Design approval. Bulldog describes Secured by Design as the only form of police approval for products in the UK, and you will see it mentioned on the relevant product pages.
Need help choosing?
If you are not sure which grade suits your vehicle, trailer or property, call our team on 01952 740308 and we will point you to the right product.