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Catalytic converter theft: how to protect your car

By TOYOTA UK

Catalytic converter theft from cars isn’t a new crime, but it has increased significantly in recent times.

Police forces around the UK are advising owners of any car fitted with a catalytic converter to take precautions. In Toyota’s case it is second and third-generation Prius models (2004-2009 and 2009-2016 respectively) and second-generation Auris Hybrids (2012-2018) which have been particular targets for thieves.

Below we’ve gathered the best advice for Toyota owners who may be concerned.

What is a catalytic converter? 

The catalytic converter is part of the car’s emissions control system. It cleans up the exhaust gases before they are expelled from the car through the exhaust pipe. Its internal elements react with the gases, breaking them down into less harmful substances and water vapour. All new cars sold in Europe since 1993 have had to be fitted with a catalytic converter by law.

Why are they a target for thieves?

Clearly the police are best placed to offer advice on the motives behind this crime. But we understand that the value of the catalytic converter for recycling is the main attraction to thieves, because it contains precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium.

What can owners do to stop their cars being targeted?

Some owners have chosen to tag their catalytic converters with an invisible yet traceable forensic marking solution, such as that provided by SmartWater. This means that a stolen catalytic converter can be traced to a specific crime, helping police in their attempts to fight the organised gangs responsible. It also raises the risk to all those handling the devices along the criminal chain, from theft to eventual disposal and recycling. Mechanical theft prevention products such as Catloc devices can also deter thieves.

However, it must be noted that catalytic converter theft is a criminal operation and the scope of owners is therefore limited. Police forces are taking action, so it is important for anyone who is a victim of this crime to report it as quickly as possible.

In the main, older cars are more likely to be targeted. This is because advances in efficiency and technology mean the latest generations of catalytic converters contain vastly lower amounts of precious metals, while still doing their job just as well or even better. This means their value for recycling is very low and they are not attractive to thieves.

Does a mechanical lock give my car 100% protection from thieves?

Sadly not. It can make theft more difficult but thieves are using high-powered cutting tools to remove catalytic converters and because of this it is not possible to make them ‘unstealable’. A mechanical locking device makes it harder to steal a catalytic converter because it slows down thieves and therefore acts as a deterrent.

If I’m worried about my Toyota model, what should I do?

If you are worried about potential catalytic converter theft from your Toyota, we recommend you use our locator tool to find your nearest Toyota centre and contact them to discuss the best way to protect your car.

This article was last updated on 2 November 2024, so some of the responses to reader comments below have been superseded by more recent information.

2,452 comments

  1. It takes 1 minute to steal a Cat, 3 months to replace it, only to be stolen again in 1 minute. Unless Toyota take firm action, e.g. recall all old hybrids and carry out modifications such as transferring Cats to an inaccessible location, they will be losing a large part of their loyal customer base who may switch to electrics or non-hybrids. These customers who switch will rarely come back to Toyota.

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      We are doing all we can, but clearly these are criminal operations and our scope is therefore limited. We are urgently exploring new technical possibilities to deter criminals but we would like to refrain from going in to specifics at this time for obvious reasons. We hope to have news on this soon.

      Thanks

      Reply

  2. I have just had my Catalystic Convert stolen this last Saturday (21st September). Ive had my car for under three months. It a 2019 Prius Plus. I had to wait 4 months to get the car and ive had it less time then i waited for it and now my insurance has told me there is at least a 5 week waiting time for parts which they have said is more likely to be 2-3 months.

    Seems like Toyota knew about this and doesnt want to let anyone know. If i knew you could steal the converter in under a minute then i probably wouldnt have got the car. This isnt happening to all cars its happening almost exclusively to Toyota cars because its so easy to steal them.

    When I get the car back who can say they wont steal it again straight away and im out again for another 2-3 months plus all the affect it has on my insurance.

    You are saying buy your catlock rubbish that will only add another 1 minute to someone taking it and charging £250-300 for a problem that shouldnt be there in the first place. It should be given for free to everyone until you sort out the issue.

    Toyota just doesnt want to admit it is there fault for making the converter so easy to remove as then they will have to pay everyone for the inconvenience of it all that’s why they are keeping quiet about it all.

    Reply

    1. Hi Ryan,

      We really sorry to read that you’ve been a victim of crime.

      We’ve emailed you directly to get further details so we can open a case with our customer relations team.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Toyota customer relations team have very kindly arranged to supply me with a hire car – after 10 weeks of waiting for the replacement cat with still no date in sight

  3. In your opinion is a 2019 Toyota CHR Hybrid at the same risk of Cat theft as the older models.

    Look forward to your response. Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Alan,

      We believe some of our products have been targeted, especially in some specific areas of the country, due to the large number of those vehicles on the road, but the main focus of criminals seems to be older models. As we have reduced the quantity of precious metals in catalytic converter design over time, older models seem more attractive to thieves.

      We recommend following police advice on protecting your vehicle: https://www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/theft-from-a-vehicle/vehicle-safe-and-sound/

      Thanks

      Thanks

      Reply

  5. I had the Cat cut of my lexus RX400H on Saturday 21st September 2019 in Beckenham, South London, and have found it near impossible to obtain any replacement. Genuine Toyota part is £1600 + Vat where as a pattern part is only £240. I can’t see the financial logic in having a genuine part, only for it to be possibly stolen again. For now I have linked the exhaust with two clamps and a section of pipe, as I need to use the car. I am now seriously considering selling the car and switching to a different manufacture, as this is a ridiculous situation to be in.

    Reply

    1. Hi Andy,

      On behalf of Lexus UK, we extend our sincere apologies that you have been affected by this crime. We’ve sent you an email to request further details so we can open a case with our customer relations team on your behalf.

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. Hi zzbbaker,

      We’re very sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves. We’ve sent you an email requesting further details, so we can open a case with our customer relations team on your behalf.

      Thanks

      Reply

      1. Toyota customer services have very kindly arranged for a hire car for me after 10 weeks of waiting. So I would ask sooner rather than later!

  7. What’s the point of having your stolen Cat replaced when you know it will be stolen again as soon as you take delivery of the vehicle? Yes, another 4 hours waiting for the AA/RAC to tow you to a garage, 2 hours to get a taxi home, 4 hours on the phone to the insurance, 3 months wait for another Cat, and then …. it’s stolen stolen AGAIN…. Toyota’s must be to Cat thieves like rhino’s or pangolins are to poachers, i.e. they possess something very valuable and well sought-after. Unless Toyota act NOW, I can easily see a situation where Toyota vehicles going the same way as the dodo.

    Reply

    1. Hi,

      We are urgently exploring new technical possibilities to deter criminals, but we would like to refrain from going in to specifics at this time for obvious reasons. We’ll hopefully have more news soon.

      Thanks

      Reply

      1. Good to hear BUT this doesn’t give any level of confidence to us customers! How about communicating what that might be and timelines of your oncoming solution with your customers sooner, ie with us Toyota Owners? You’re about to lose significant number of loyal customers! For the record, I’ve had mine stolen 3 times this year from 3 different Toyotas, 1 prius, 2 auris. I’m considering others cars at the moment as toyota has now proved to be a liability. Toyota Customers relations did nothing when I reported apart from saying we cannot be held responsible for organised gang crime. Really? Think again..

      2. Hi,

        It would be unwise for us to share further details at this stage for obvious reasons – we don’t want to alert criminals; they may be monitoring this page.

        We hope this solution will prevent the thefts by criminals, and we hope to have more info soon.

        The main focus of criminals seems to be older models. As we have reduced the quantity of precious metals in catalytic converter design over time, older models seem more attractive to thieves.

        Thanks

      3. Hi, my Auris from where one of them stolen is 2016 model. I’ve seen here 2019 stolen too so newer models are targets also.

      4. Hi, my auris is 2016 so fairly new. I’ve seen others 2019 facing the same crime. So my thoughts are the thieves are indiscriminatory. Unfortunately toyota hybrid cars are their main targets.

      6. Hi. I have a first generation Auris. If older cars are being targeted why is there no catlock for First generation Auris?

      7. Hi,

        This is a trend, but there are exceptions. First generation Auris Hybrid was only on sale for two years and there are relatively few on the road compared to later models. We have developed Catloc for cars that have been a target for thieves.

        Thanks

  8. Had my Catalytic convertor stolen from my 2010 mk3 prius yesterday from my place of work in Dartford. On the cctv it took them four minutes to remove. Messaged Jemca Sidcup for cost information today & sill have not got back to me. Now stuck without car waiting for Toyota to get back to me.

    Reply

    1. Hi Douglas,

      We are very sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves. We’ve sent you an email requesting further details so we can open a customer relations case on your behalf.

      Thanks

      Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We will email you directly regarding opening a customer relations case on your behalf in order to help you further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. I had my catalytic converter stolen yesterday from my Prius 2, my car was parked in an NHS car park in Staffordshire, RAC guy who recovered the car to my insurance company’s approved repairer said he hasn’t seen much of this in this area, mainly in London as others have said.
    The approved repairer have quoted £1830 to replace the cat and O2 sensor, so my insurer has declared it uneconomical to repair as the car is 15 years old
    This estimate seems very high to me, I’m thinking about taking the £800-odd the insurer is offering and having the cat replaced myself as 1) I love this car and 2) I can’t really afford to buy a newer Toyota – they are expensive and I work for the NHS and don’t get paid much.
    Altogether a very negative experience – is the approved reparier’s estimate reasonable?

    Reply

    1. Hi Rob,

      We’re really sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by criminals. Particularly in a hospital car park; that’s just awful.

      We can’t really advise on what your insurer’s approved repairer is quoting, but we recommend that our dealers charge £1,000 for Prius Gen 2, which includes a new catalyst and a Catloc. This doesn’t take into consideration additional damage that may be caused by thieves during the theft.

      Thanks

      Reply

    2. Rob,
      big carpart shops are selling now full system ,2m long 2 converters and muffler ,quality sensor and gaskets for £180 delivered by fedex or similar ,it’s special offer :/ … called BM91617H only 4 screws to change ,can be done DIY.
      ebay is prob the best to search ,I got there. Works perfect and safe , 90% won’t be stolen again ,maybe only by amateurs. cancel insurance claim asap if you can.
      I got it just last week ,no smell or extra noise same as was ,2 years warranty too.

      Reply

    3. Hi Rob – you should be able to get an aftermarket cat with little metals of value in. In theory they are not worth anything as scrap and so your car should be left alone. This does of course rely on a certain level of intelligence in the car theives, but I think it’s the best way forward IMO. Catlocs are not worth the bother as they’re no defence against a power saw. In the SE I was quoted £500.

      Reply

    4. HI my friend had her catylytic converter stolen from her Toyota parked up at Twycross zoo Staffs this week(Friday I think)

      Reply

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