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Catalytic converter theft: how to protect your car

By LEXUS 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.

2,460 comments

  1. Reimbursement?, I like loads of others are still waiting for a replacement cat. All you get from Toyota is the cut and paste reply saying how sorry they are. They claim that the factory making the parts are working 3 shifts instead of 1 but no parts arrive and there is no update from Toyota. They say we are opening a case for you at customer care but this is just a stalling tactic. Absolutely awful customer care.

    Reply

    1. Hi Phil,

      Thanks for getting back in touch. We are sorry you feel this way. We have added these comments to your existing customer relations case and can see our team have been in touch.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Chris,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are sorry to hear about this and will email you directly in order to gain additional details to open a customer relations case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  3. I have had my catalytic converter stolen from Maidstone Hospital car park, where I work. It’s a 67 Reg Auris Hybrid XL. I have been told none available in the country and not sure when it would become available. We have been treated by Mortoline Toyota Canterbury as if it’s none of Toyota’s problem. This is my second new Toyota car and never been told about this theft risk! They would not give me a loan car. They are happy to buy my car for peanuts and sell me a new car to make more money. Is this how Toyota make profit? Is Toyota doing this as a business torch to sell more new vehicles? I am very frustrated about Toyota and would never recommend anyone to buy cars from them.
    Dr Giridharan

    Reply

    1. Hi Dr Giridharan,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are deeply sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We will email you directly in order to open a customer relations case on your behalf. Our team will be able to track parts and answer any queries you may have.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  4. Has anyone actually being contacted by Toyota’s “dedicated” customer service team?
    Two weeks later and I am still waiting…

    Reply

    1. Hi Vivien,

      Thanks for getting back in touch. We have added your comments and escalated your open customer relations case with our team and someone will be in touch with you soon.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi Ian,

        Thanks for getting back in touch. We can see your case with our customer relations team and will be in touch with you directly.

        Thanks.

  5. I have had my Auris targeted twice now within 5 weeks, in the same NHS staff car park. The first time they got the catalytic converter, and it cost me £400 in insurance excess (and a hit to my ‘no claims’) to replace. Reading other posts, I was lucky to only have to wait 10 days for the part. The second time they got as far as dislodging the heat shield when I assume they were interrupted and left. Both thefts were caught on CCTV and sent to the police, but understandably, this is not a high priority for them. I have booked the car in to have the lock fitted, but there is a wait for that, so every day when I return to my car, I turn on with fingers crossed that the cat is still there…

    I would like Toyota to assure us all of the following:

    1. All newly sold cars of these targeted hybrid models will be fitted with the lock automatically. It seems reckless and unethical for any of these cars to be sold without the lock on, with the information Toyota now has about these thefts

    2. All owners of the targeted models will be contacted and offered a free retro-fit of the lock

    I have my car booked in for the lock to be fitted, but I expect this to be done for free. I know this does not guarantee that further thefts won’t happen, but it has got to be better than doing nothing. I am in the middle of a payment plan, but am close, in any case, to cancelling and returning the car. A refusal to fit the lock for free will probably push me over the edge!

    I cannot afford to keep paying out for this, and presumably will not be able to afford the inevitable hike in insurance premium which will follow. People ask about the car all the time, because there is so much interest in reducing emissions, but how can we recommend these models to others when they are so vulnerable to theft? Come on, Toyota, we know this is not your fault, but we urgently need a better solution, and at least the guarantees requested above.

    Reply

    1. Hi Mary,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We would like to open a customer relations case on your behalf in order to discuss your situation and queries in more detail. We will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  6. Our Cat was stolen last week from a supermarket car park, right by the main entrance. The police tell us it takes a minute or less to do, and recommend welding a plate to the bottom of the car to deter the thieves from doing it again.

    The local dealer, who is excellent, told us there was an 8 week wait for a new Cat from Toyota. Our insurance company arranged for the car to be collected, and we had it back 7 days later.

    Questions:

    1 – does the Toyota fix do what the police recommend?
    2 – what gives with the lead time from my dealer, or has a substandard part been fitted by the insurance company?

    It’s worth noting that the repair is covered, in writing, by a warranty equal to that of the manufacturer.

    Reply

    1. Hi Chris,

      Thanks for getting in touch and we are sorry you have suffered as a result of this crime. The official Toyota Catlocs are registered on the International Security register, Police approved and Thatcham Accredited. Regarding lead times, we have struggled to keep up with demand for this part due to the increase in this crime over the last few months.

      However, we can’t comment on the part that has been fitted to your car without any other details.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Chris

      Don’t listen to Toyota false information the catloc doesn’t work, they are feeding you blatant lies.

      Read through the other comments they state they are still working on a solution.

      They came up with the catlocs or a slightly adjusted version but it can be cut easily with bolt cutters and Toyota know this.

      Don’t fit a plate as this runs the risk of the cat overheating.

      I’ve fitted a Catclamp which seems to the best solution.

      Reply

  7. Toyota needs to face up to its responsibilities. The catalytic converter on my 2011 Prius was cut off two months ago. Nobody has the parts, and my local Toyota service centre (Inchcape Toyota Battersea) never even replied to my request for repair. I’ve been tearing my hair out and have had to import the part from the US myself. God knows if it will even fit or work. It’s a total nightmare. How do you expect people to buy Toyota cars in the future? Why would anyone do this to themselves? Ask yourselves that question!

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for your message. We are so sorry to hear you have been impacted by this crime and for the distress this may have caused. We are working to support all of our customers through this and would like to open a customer relations case on your behalf. We will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. My catalytic converter was stolen from my Toyota Auris last week, while parked in a car park at work. Replacing this under my insurance policy is increasing my premiums, as well as having to pay £80 in excess to the insurance company as well as emergency transport costs on the day of the theft.

    I believe the theft could have been avoided if the converter was originally fitted with security in mind. Please open a customer relations case on my behalf to have the £80 excess and emergency transport costs reimbursed to me.

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for contacting us. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We will email you directly regarding opening a customer relations case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. The ease with which the thieves have stolen my catalytic converter in broad daylight is shocking.

        I now have anxiety regarding leaving my car parked at work in the car park. I cannot start my car engine without fear of hearing the roaring sound of the engine due to the converter being stolen.

        If you do not reimburse my costs, please at least offer a complimentary Catloc to reassure me that this is unlikely to occur again.

  9. I just had my catalytic converter stolen at a car park, now am told i have to wait for over2 months for the next delivery to come, i drive for uber, am i meant to stay without work? Come on man! I have bills to pay and family to look after. Am actually considering to sell my car and get a different car, if Toyota know about this problem why aren’t they doing anything about it?

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are deeply sorry you have been targeted by criminals. We wholeheartedly appreciate the distress this has caused and will email you directly in order to gain additional details so that we can open a customer relations case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Have a look on ebay, there are pattern catalytic convertors for the Prius for not much more than £100. There is anecdotal evidence that these aren’t of much interest to thieves as they don’t contain as much precious metal. I’m sure a local exhaust company would fit it for you.

      Reply

  10. Hi Toyota

    I have 2 Toyota prius 2005 reg CN05EUR and 2007 reg LM07XAT both have been targeted by thieves. Both catalysts convertor has been taken from our drive on Thursday night 24/10/19 I can’t tell you how angry me and my wife are. I have had the car from brand-new great cars but this recent cat stealing nonsense has put me off big time. For me to replace the cat on both my cars will cost me arm and a leg I just don’t know what to do. Please advise??

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this has caused. We are working hard to support all our customers who have been targeted. With that in mind, we will email you directly regarding opening a customer relations case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Happened same to me ,second time stolen ,sadly thought parking in secured parking makes difference. Now bough aftermarket ,you can get BM91617H converter for around £130 for a while anyway ,works well and comes with 2 years warranty.
      2nd gen Prius completely lost it’s value now beacuse theft ,not worth selling or loosing insurance claim for the original part. anyway don’t think Toyota is resposible, these cars were designed in 2004 when palladium shortage didn’t exists, they put around 3 grams into it to last long with the start-stop engine ,that £200 metal is what organized criminals are after.
      I think only a recall and changing all hybrid cats to low precious metal variant will solve this problem ,new tech ones last same long and same time could make lot of money for Toyota from recycling old cats. Hope they choose this way and we hybrid owners can sleep well again.

      Reply

      1. Hi Pete,

        Thanks for getting back in touch. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime again. We will re email you regarding putting you in touch with our customer relations team, if you would like to discuss your situation further. They are best placed to answer any questions you may have.

        Thanks.

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