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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. Hi Stuart,

    Thanks for contacting us. We are sorry to hear about the distress caused by this situation. Would you like to discuss your case further with our customer relations team?

    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the reply. I have had some contact with the customer relations team already but each time, I felt let down, being told again and again ‘just wait’. It didn’t get me any closer to resolving things or getting my car back on the road. Results only happened when the dealer wanted to sell me a new car.

      Reply

      1. Hi Stuart,

        We are sorry you feel that way. If you have any other questions or there is any other way we can help, please do get back in touch with us. We can still go ahead and add your comments to your existing customer case for the case manager to recontact you if you would prefer.

        Thanks.

  2. Auris Touring Sports Hybrid 2015 – Cat stolen 04/11/2019 – South London. Looking for solutions. Report by STEFFI WESTPHALNovember 13, 2019 at 21:17 says it got stolen after catloc fitted!!! Toyota should guarantee free replacement converter and catloc if it gets stolen a second time, otherwise, what is the point!!?

    Reply

    1. Hi on the 19th November my car was targeted at 21:40pm in croydon, my neighbor’s son saw two people cutting my car which was a catalic converter. This was done within 5 mins. Luckily my local garage helped me find one which cost £1500. I contacted the police but I am still waiting for a response. I hope Toyota does something about this as the crime has increased especially in London. Thanks

      Reply

      1. Hi there,

        Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We will email you directly in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team.

        Thanks.

  3. Hi Alan,

    Thanks for your message. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We will email you directly in order to discuss your case further and open a customer relations case on your behalf.

    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Faruq,

      Thank you for contacting us. We are so sorry to hear you have been a victim of this crime. We will email you directly in order to discuss your situation further and put you in touch with our customer relations team.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  5. I have just returned to my car and my catalytic converter stolen again!! Twice in just over a month from staff hospital car park. Toyota doing nothing but empty platitudes and explaining not their fault!! Where does that leave there loyal customers!! Out of pocket every time!! I am not willing to keep going through this and will have to give the car back and end up out of pocket again!! I will never buy another Toyota and there responses are appalling!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Amanda,

      Thank you for getting back in touch. We can only apologise that you have been the victim of this crime again and for the distress this may have caused. We will add your comment into your customer relations case and someone will be in touch with you soon.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Don’t see the point as all you kept saying throughout your email that it wasn’t your fault. Well it’s not mine either!! I bought that car in good faith and the only advice I need from you is how to exit my agreement with you

    2. Pretty much the same for me. I’ve owned 7 Toyotas over the years, going back to a 1976 Corona. Doubt I will ever buy another one. They want me to spend £250 to supply and fit an “approved” Catloc that may, or may NOT protect my Auris Hybrid. No mention of the problems associated with cat thefts when I bought it last July.
      Not a happy camper at all.

      Reply

    3. My Catalytic Converter has also been stolen today. What is Toyota doing with is issue! This is very serious. You need to deal with this Toyota! This is a shame!How could you leave such a valuable part so careless for thief to be able to access it so easily. Toyota is asking for £1050+ to replace it. How could you be treating your customers like this! Never and Never I will not get a Toyota car.

      Reply

  6. Catalytic Converter stolen from flat car park overnight and it costs £1600 to replace it as car is still within manufacturer warranty. Since Toyota is only providing a catloc which does not guarantee safety, they should be replacing the converter free of charge if within the manufacturer’s warranty

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thank you for getting in touch. We are incredibly sorry to hear you have been impacted by this crime. We will email you directly in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team who will be able to discuss this with you further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. good luck with that mate, I had same issue as you can see by blog Toyota useless, the dealership are even worse and seek to profit from the situation. All say they are not responsible so it must be our fault. I lost £5000 on exchanging a car which was still in warranty for one which was inferior but not a hybrid. Disgusting.

      Reply

  7. Firstly, I feel sorry for those who have been effected by this crime. But I don’t see how ranting at Toyota is going to fix the problem. They designed an exhaust system over 10 years ago – long before the crime was at its peak, you can’t just do a redesign of an exhaust system and install it in a few months!

    I wonder if those who have had their cars damaged in an official car park could make a claim in the small claims court? The fact that a number of these crimes have been committed in a hospital car park sickens me, but there has to be a duty of care from the provider of the car park.

    A simple Google search reveals the companies that are buying catalytic converters for cash, why isn’t Toyota GB joining forces with Local Trading Standards and Police forces to visit these places and check to see if they are giving out cash (which is against the law)? If you cut off the scrap metal buyers these low lives will have no one to buy them.

    Toyota GB could then take out full page adverts in papers stating that they are on to those who are doing the crime and you are working with Local Authorities and the Police to stop it.

    If all else fails, lets get this into the public eye by using the General Election – MPs will say anything to get a vote!

    In the meantime, Toyota GB you are going to have to offer a free Catlock to all owners to avoid a PR disaster….

    Reply

  8. Hi, I am having the same problem here twice now my catalytic converter has been robbed within 3months apart. Today just on my door step and my mother threntend by the thugs with a chainsaw! No sign on the police either! I cant even get to work now as I live far and work night shift.
    First time I rang Toyota they told me its gonna cost x amount to put a lock. Money that I dont have. Toyota are reliable for this! They have no intention to help us loyal customers or help the ones who have been victims to such horrible stressful crime.
    Toyota need to re call all these cars back or replace the cats with something else FOR FREE! And stop us victims goIng through this crime it’s unfair.

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime and for the distress this has caused your family. Please be aware our priority in this is to do all we can to support customers who have been victims of this crime. With that in mind, we will email you directly in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. Hi again. Last night (21-11-19) I left a comment about how it’s the 2nd time my catalytic converter has been robbed at my door step, well after speaking to my insurance they’ve told me that Toyota will not be replacing the cats any more and that my car is a right off now!? Thanks Toyota never again! U just lost a loyal customer. Not tht you are bothered but I feel sorry for all the people you are tricking into buying these cars with catalytic converters. If you know the problem you should put this in BLACK AND WHITE in the papers or the news.

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      We can only apologise again for the distress this may have caused. We have responded to your first comment and have now emailed you directly in order to discuss the specifics of you case further with our customer relations team.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. Auris cat converter stolen. Read this blog quoting the recommended bundle price of 950. My Toyota dealer quoted 1030 for the converter and 250 for the catloc and since not byndled the insurance co was only prepared to pay for the converter. Suggest you update the blog to reflect proces more accurately!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Tony,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We have email you directly in order to open a customer relations case on your behalf. Regarding prices, they may vary depending on the extent of any damage that may have been caused by the criminals.

      Thanks.

      Reply

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