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.
Hi. My wifes car (2007 Prius) has also just had her CAT stolen. Does anyone know the cost of replacement – is is worth going through insurance and how do we prevent this happening again? Wife really not happy – was late at night, i was away and car was parked by the station.
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. Our customer relations team are best placed to help with your queries and we would like to open a case with our team on your behalf. We will email you directly regarding this.
Thanks.
My 64 Auris had its catalytic converter stolen yesterday (14/12/19) from Stratford International station NCP carpark. The inconvenience and frustration this type of crime causes is clearly shared by everyone commenting on this page, but I am livid at the way Toyota is mishanding this nationwide problem.
From the comments of those who have also been a victim, their catloc device doesn’t seem to be doing enough to deter thieves, but more alarming is how this issue isn’t being brought to the attention of their customers.
The first 6 months of 2019 saw nearly twice the number of cat thefts as for the entire year of 2018. Yet, my car had its annual service in September at Jemca Croydon and at no point was I made aware that this type of crime was on the rise, and that Toyota’s hybrid vehicles were being particularly targeted. For me, this lack of duty of care tells you everything you need to know about what Toyota thinks about its customers.
Hi Ian,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are incredibly sorry to hear you have been impacted by this crime. Our customer relations team are working to support our customers impacted by this in any way we can, by assessing cases on an individual basis. We would like to open a case on your behalf with our team and will email you directly regarding this.
Thanks.
Hi, I also had my catalytic converter cut out of my toyota auris in broad daylight in my workplace car park (which happens to be in a hospital). This is absolutely ridiculous. And toyota saying they have reduced the price is not good enough. That’s still at least £1000. Some people do not have that kind of money. I now do not have a car for who knows how long. I only bought the car in August and they did not mention anything of the sort considering Toyota are fully aware of the crimes. We do not care if you do not make any profit because of this as this is a Toyota problem. Toyota needs to do something about this a bit quicker!
Hi Jan,
Thanks for contacting us. We are deeply 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 who are working to provide the best support to all our customers who have been impacted by this. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open a case with our team on your behalf.
Thanks.
HI TGB
My Cat has been stole yesterday in broad daylight in a busy area. I contacted police I was shocked when I was told it is a growing crime at present. How come Toyota could not do something about it.
After all another problem I got if replace the part privately the total coast not affordable at all.If I nform my insurance I will losses my three years NCD on top of that still I have to pay 500 excess and ultimately the primun will increase significantly which I have to renew it in 6 weeks time. In addition the waiting time so long and I can’t afford to be without my car. I am depending on my car to do my daily job. TGB has to do something about it. Both ways helping the victim customers and use all necessesory technology and techniques to deter theft. According to the met police information this is a popular growing crime. The crimanals specifically target Toyota haybrid cars. If you can’t do something about it ultimately it will affect massively your reputation.
Hi Ben,
Thanks for your message. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this may have caused. Our customer relations team are best placed to discuss your situation with you in more detail and help advise you with next steps. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open a case with our team on your behalf.
Thanks.
Hi,
Sadly i am a victim of theft too.
It happened yesterday in the Croydon/Purley area.
I saw them outside of my flat at 12:30 in the afternoon, managed to shout and disturb them (i am on the 2nd floor and couldn’t get down to them and was frankly quite scared to face them) but it was too late anyway – they picked up the car, grab the converter and fled.
I thankfully caught some of their vehicle registration on camera, and it is now a police matter, but I really cannot see an outcome to this.
I am extremely concerned that the car did not alarm at any point and that this has been an ongoing problem.
Catlocs should of been offered free to all customers in the high risk groups until Toyota change the way these converters are created/fixed to the car.
Hi Louise,
Thanks for contacting us. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this may have caused. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team who will be able to discuss your situation in more detail and support you in any way we can. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open a case on your behalf.
Thanks.
Catlocs are next to useless. My cat with catloc fitted was stolen last night from my Prius. It took them 5 mins.
Last week, I had my cat stolen too, this was in a my building communal car park in the middle of the day! I have a 2018 Auris hybrid. I had no idea this was an issue and that this model was being targeted! Had I known I would not have bought one. Now I have to fork out right before Christmas, plus I’ve been told that due to so many incidents I could be waiting a while for a replacement part. This is just unacceptable!
Really very disappointed and stressed
Hi Sami,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are deeply sorry you have been impacted by this crime. Our customer relations team are able to track parts and are best placed to support you further. We would like to open a case with our team on your behalf and will email you directly regarding this.
Thanks.
They tried to cut mine off last Friday ( the 13th) but could not get it off. I can’t drive the car, as coolant liquid drained on the floor. I have found a snapped saw blade underneath the car. When I tried to tell the police I have the blade they’ve used they said: unfortunately our forensic team will not consider the blade as evidence…. Phoned the insurance and been advised the garage will try to weld it back together. ..
Really not happy with this. I’ll get it fixed then flog the car as this risk will always be in the back of my mind, and I have better things to worry about then parts underneath my car.
Thanks Toyota, Merry Christmas to you too!
Hi Marius,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this may have caused. We would like to open a case with our customer relations team on your behalf in order to discuss how we can help you further. Our team can track parts and discuss any potential next steps in order to support you in any way we can. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open a case with our team.
Thanks.
Marius: do you have any details of that blade? the brand? type? any numbers of details printed over the blade that could help to understand what type of blade are these guys using? thank you, Manuel
Hi Manuel. The blade they’ve used was a Reciprocating Saw Blade used probably in a battery powered saw. I can’t find any more details in the blade as it’s a hard used blade with nearly all tooth gone. I’m wandering how many Cat’s they’ve cut with it. Probably loads…
My cat was stolen from 2nd gen Prius on my driveway at 2:30am this morning. I had a catloc installed – useless. It took them 5 minutes by which time we were too late having not woken up during the theft.
Since Toyota are refusing to do anything about this, I wonder if there is some class action lawsuit that might be possible somehow – I doubt it – but I’m not lawyer so no idea really.
It’s pretty poor that so many people are suffering because of this design fault. Toyota should do something about it – provide an effective solution and install through a recall – not catloc because it’s in no way effective.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so 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 who are best placed to discuss your situation in more detail and provide you with any support we can. We will email you regarding this.
Thanks.
Mine stolen on 13th Friday from my hospital parking – Toyota Auris while I was on day shift. I started my car after the shift and could hear big noice, then found few nuts left on the place.The security officer said they cant guarantee that this will not happen again. and the criminals are using special tools and doing this in few mins time.
I called Croydon Jemca and they advised the cost is £1400 and I need to arrange recovery service to drop it …I cant see any price reduction from Toyota to help customers affected
Hi there,
Thanks for the message. We are deeply sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We appreciate your situation and would like to put you in touch with our customer relations team who are best placed to support you further in any way we can. We will email you in order to gain additional details and open a case on your behalf.
Thanks.
I’ve now been a victim of this crime with my cat stolen last Wednesday. £400 plus just before Christmas. I find it VERY disappointing Toyota, that you seem you have the right to charge for a cat lock too, especially when it doesn’t seem like a deterrent. This needs to be free of charge as an act of goodwill to all your customers and the replacements of the converter discounted – largely. It’s not our fault your catalytic converters are deemed the most valuable to steal, it’s yours by choosing the most valuable metals as part of it’s construction. Where was the common sense when these decisions were made? You couldn’t “envisage” it? Laughable.
Pragmatics dictate that I now sell my Prius and get another car entirely. What else is there to do?
Hi Neil,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are incredibly sorry you have been impacted by this crime and for the distress this may have caused. We will email you directly regarding opening a customer relations case on your behalf. Our team will be able to provide the best support for you in any way we can as they assess each case on an individual basis.
Thanks.