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.
My cat converter got stolen from my 2016 auris hybrid on 2/11/19 in broad daylight. Reading through the comments cant believe Toyota are doing nothing about…
Cat converter got stolen from my 2016 hybrid auris on 2.11.19 in broad day light. I had to search on internet to find out this is a well known issue with Toyota hybrid cars. Toyota why are u not making your customers aware of this… Reading through the comments I see Toyota are doing nothing about this…
My catalytic converter from my 2015 Auris was stolen between Tuesday and Wednesday. Toyota Assistance as refusing to collect the vehicle insisting this is not their problem. This is appalling, Toyota are fully aware there is a lot of criminal activity around the Auris’s catalytic converters – you can not wash your hands and say the Toyota Assistance is not worth the paper the cover is written on. I have also raised a complaint with your customer service team. My vehicle is parked undriveable whilst Toyota washes its hands of its own customers. Shame on you Toyota
Hi, i am wondering if this theft is only limited to Prius and Auris models? I have just purchased a Yaris Hybrid 2019 model and curious to know if it is at risk at all? Or Toyota has fitted converters in Yaris in a way which is not easy to steal? I was reading that from 2015 onwards Honda has fitted cat converters inside the engine bay in Jazz models which will require the car to disassembled in order to steal it.
Hi there,
Thanks for your message. In theory, any car with a catalytic converter is at risk of theft.
Thanks.
can you answer the question?
how many newer yaris , to your knowledge have had the catalytic converter stolen
i am replacing a hi da jass which was written off after a cat theft with a yaris. is there a cat lock for the yaris?
Hi Steve,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are producing Catlocs for our vehicles deemed most at risk such as second and third-generation Prius models (2004-2009 and 2009-2016 respectively) and second-generation Auris Hybrids (2012-2018), and therefore at this time we don’t produce a Catloc for Yaris.
Regarding your question about stolen Yaris catalytic converters, the Police are best placed to answer queries regarding crime stats.
Thanks.
Hi Nila,
Thanks for your message. We are so sorry to hear you have been impacted by this crime. We are working hard to support all our customers and we will email you directly to in order to gain additional details and open a customer relations case on your behalf.
Thanks.
Hi there,
We’re sorry to hear about this. We will email you directly to gain additional details and put you in touch with our customer relations team.
Thanks.
My catalytic converter was stolen on 29/10/2019 in broad daylight. The prime witness has noted culprits vehicle registration number in which they had come for the robbery. I had filed police Complaint immediately but inspite of giving them description of the thieves and the vehicle registration number in which they had come, police said they don’t have enough resources to send to knock the doors of the culprits and ultimately said they have now closed the case. If anyone of you spot Blue Renault with registration number MK55 CRU, (this the car in which culprits had come) please report to the police. My daughter detached on the net about this vehicle and it says it’s MOT is due on 14th of November.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. We don’t currently provide a Catloc for RAV4. At the moment we provide Catlocs for the models deemed most at risk.
Thanks.
Hi there,
Thanks for your message. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We will add these comments into your existing customer relations case with us. Someone will be in touch with you soon.
Thanks.
Any protection for new Carolla Touring Sport ?
Hi Jack,
Thanks for the message. At this time, we don’t offer a Catloc for Corolla.
Thanks.