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.
I am another victim of Cat converter theftleft car for 2 hrs In Muswell Hill North London between 13:00 and 15:00 in busy road and thieves cut converter from under car. According to Met police crime has increased by 100% but just becoming a victim and checking google, it looks like a lot more, hundreds and hundreds of percent above total last year, so much so that insurers, police and car hire companies are all so aware, many making money off the back of the crimes and us owners paying hudreds in excess claimes and increased Insurance fees.Met police recorded,supplied crime ref and closed case in a matter of mins! Since sharing on social media I have become awares of dozens of similar crimes in my area in last few weeks some peoples more than once!
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We appreciate the severity of this criminal activity and are assessing cases on an individual basis in order to provide the best support. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details to open a customer relations case on your behalf.
Thanks.
My Toyota Auris catalyst converter has been stolen just at our driveway within 4 min they have taken it which I have seen it on my Cctv. Police said they are unable to do anything and closing the case. My insurance rocketed already. Toyota kept on saying they do not make profit however Toyota’s franchises are pocketing. One Toyota dealer told me £1900 plus another £2300. Toyota does not realise how bad is the issue for their customer. We have 3 Toyota in the household and I can assure you this is the last time we are getting from Toyota. Toyota dealership granges are the worse one in the world.
Hi there,
Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been impacted by this crime and fur the distress this may have caused. We will email you directly to gain additional details in order to open a customer relations case on your behalf. our team are assessing each case on an individual basis in order to best provide support.
Thanks.
Two nights ago I had the Cat stolen from my great (but old) Lexus 400h in Brixton. The repair cost will right off the car. Please Toyota (Lexus) do something positive quickly to help your loyal customers. Being told to read the police advice which reads, “consult your car dealer” is useless, insulting and a waste of time. What a pity to be 5 years behind Honda who have redesigned their cat location.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team. Unfortunately, we are unable to contact you using the email address associated with your account. However, if you would like to leave a comment stating your email address, we would not make this public but would be able to contact you directly.
Otherwise, if you prefer, you can contact our customer relations team directly. You will be able to find their contact details via this link: https://fal.cn/34nMo
Once again, we are so sorry you have been impacted by this.
Thanks.
So My car is a Lexus RX400H reg 2007 do you do a catlock for those if so how much and where from
I was inform by a police contact that on the replacement Cat Con I am waiting for the Met recomend that info should be engraved on the new Con so that it could be detected if it happens again and also acts as a warning to scrp metal dealers that the Con has been stolen if presented. What is the offical response from Toyota/ Lexus please.
Hi John,
Thanks for getting in touch. At this time, we don’t have a Catloc available for Lexus RX. We have been in touch with you via email to gain additional details in order to open a customer relations case on your behalf. They will be best placed to discuss your case in more detail.
Thanks.
You can add me to the long list of people who have had their catalytic converter stolen. I plan on fitting the catlock when I finally get my car back from the garage. I share the concern of many people in this comment board about the resale value of my car and the increase in insurance premiums. But for now my most immediate issue is that I still don’t have my car back! The catalytic convert was stolen almost 2 months ago and I just got a message from the garage that the part is still on back order and they do not have any information about when I can expect the part to be delivered. Why can’t we get some information about when the part will be ready?
Hi Travis,
Thanks for your message. We are so sorry you have been targeted by thieves and for the continued distress this may have caused you. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details to open a customer relations case on your behalf. Our team are assessing each case on an individual basis in order to provide the best support and will be able to track ordered parts.
Thanks.
Hi Rico,
Thanks for the message. We are urgently looking into other technical possibilities, however we would like to refrain from mentioning specifics at this time.
Thanks.
Hello Toyota UK. Please open a similar case for me. My wife’s cat was stolen yesterday and I understand we may have to wait weeks or even months for a replacement.
Hi Fred,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are extremely sorry you have been targeted by thieves and have emailed you directly regarding opening a customer relations case.
Thanks.
My Auris has been targeted today and has had the catalytic converter stolen from a ‘secure’ car park at the O2. With all the CCTV around in the area I thought my car would be slightly safer, but it seems as though this is common practice in the area and no amount of CCTV is going to stop these low life’s when it only takes what sounds like seconds to rip the part from the car. What’s the point of replacing the part when it could happen again? I now have the stress of trying to source a replacement car as I need my car for work and cannot wait for 2,3,4 months for a new part to arrive.
Maybe a Toyota was a bad idea and I should hand the car back!
What a mess of a country we live in!
Hi Steve,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We take your comment incredibly seriously and would like to open a customer relations case on your behalf. Our customer relations team will be able to track parts and discuss your case in greater detail.
Thanks.
I am fed up reading Toyota’s same old response:
” …… We are urgently looking into other technical possibilities to deter criminals but we would like to refrain from going in to specifics at this time …….”.
I drive a Prius 2nd gen with 199,000 miles on the clock. The car still drives very well, still does 62-65 mpg and has never failed its MOT. Only problem I’ve ever had has been worn out wheel bearings. However, I know my car could be next on the list, and I won’t bother replacing the Cat when it gets stolen. I am already looking for a replacement car, probably a Nissan electric (no more Toyota hybrids). I can’t even go to the shops anymore as I am too scared. It is a shame to be leaving Toyota after 15 years …..
Toyota are good cars but this problem is unacceptable they know for a while but still not do nothing probably they are happy bring more profits to them
I own a 2016 Prius Excel and the catalytic converter was stolen in broad daylight while parked at a station, in full view of the platform. Started the car and heard a horrendous noise from beneath. I contacted my local dealer who advised this was a catalytic converter theft (Hadn’t heard of the issue before being a victim of the crime) and that sadly they weren’t surprised as this has become a frequent problem with this model of car. They advised me to drive home as the car was “safe, but loud”. Obviously by the time I got home the fumes were pretty noxious. Who knows when I will get the car back, I’m two payments away from completing the purchase of a car I now won’t have due to repairs and can’t park in public when I do get it back. I would imagine resale value is now also non-existent as who would want to buy a car with the constant stress of wondering if the converter has been stolen again whenever leaving the car. Great work Toyota!
Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are extremely sorry you have been targeted by criminals and for the distress this may have caused. We would like to help you further by opening a customer relations case on your behalf. This will allow us to assess your case on an individual basis, to determine how we can support you.
Thanks.