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Catalytic converter theft: how to protect your car

By TOYOTA 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.

2,452 comments

  1. Hi Toyota. I have had catalyst convertor stolen this morning from a car park in Battersea. Spoke to toyota purley way, they said it will cost around £1200 up to £2000 to get it replaced. In order to find out exactly how much?, they said I need to pay £150 for just checking what other damages are there when the thief removed the catalyst convertor. This is a RIP off, I only bought the car 6 months ago. I earn my living with my car, now I am out of pocket. Please find a solution quickly as this can happen again if it so easily removed.

    Reply

    1. Hi Abdul,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. 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 working to support all our customers who have been impacted by this and are best placed to support you further. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open a case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Hi Toyota ,
      My catalist converter was stolen last week from
      Toyota Auris Hybrid 2015,
      from Sutton Surrey .
      Met police recorded,supplied crime ref and closed case.
      Toyota need to do something about this huge problem !!!!!

      Reply

      1. Hi Rose,

        Thanks for your message. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We would like to help you further by opening a case with our customer relations team on your behalf. They are best placed to discuss your situation with you in more detail and support you further. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with our team.

        Thanks.

  2. This has also happened to me at Bristol Parkway multi-storey car park tonight. I called Toyota Assist who simply said yes, it is happening a lot, will cost a lot of money to repair and could happen again soon given the volume of crime affecting my model. Helpful…

    Reply

    1. Hi Nick,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We’re really sorry to hear about this. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team who will be able to support you in any way we can. We will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. my catalyst converter is also stolen this morning from the Madingley road park and ride in Cambridge. Toyota knows this very well regarding the catalyst converter security issue. if you guys want to join me, it will make our case stronger. I will speak to my solicitor and see what can be done to stop this.
      this is not acceptable as in broad day light, thieves stole my converter. its so easy to disassemble it.

      Reply

      1. Hi there,

        Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are incredibly sorry to hear you have been a victim of this crime. We appreciate your concerns over this distressing situation and would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team. We will email you directly regarding this.

        Thanks.

    3. I am also in the Bristol area. I have had a Catloc fitted to my Prius Plus (2017) and also had Elite Vehicle Concepts fit a tilt sensor to the vehicle’s alarm system (linked in via the bonnet lock sensor). The cost was £115. The alarm will sound if the vehicle is tilted by more than 3 degrees. Hopefully that will put off anyone who jacks up the vehicle to gain access to the Catalytic converter.

      Reply

      1. Hi Allan, did the £115 from Elite Vehicle Concepts cover both labour and the tilt switch? Did they do it same day? I am based in South London but have struggled to find a comparable offering here. Many thanks

    4. Can anyone confirm the C HR 2020 engine bay may have been modified to prevent the Cat from being taken. Requiring removal of 4-5 parts to get to the cat. Are there any reported thefts on the new C hr models.

      Reply

      1. Hi Nick. The C-HR’s engine bay has not been modified since launch. Criminals tend to target older Toyota hybrids, as the catalytic converters in those cars had a higher content level of precious metals. Second and third-generation Prius models (2004-2009 and 2009-2016 respectively) and second-generation Auris Hybrids (2012-2018) have been particular targets for thieves, whilst newer models like C-HR, Corolla and RAV4 are not being targeted. Thanks.

    5. Just adding another location to the list Upminster C2C car park. Toyota Auris 2012 model. Shock and very costly for us and our insurers. Will be looking to change car as travel for work and very afraid of being stranded.

      Reply

      1. Hi Amanda,

        Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by 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.

  3. Hi,

    I had the Catalytic Converter stolen from my car at INTU Lakeside, Thurrock on Wed 22nd Jan. It would have been so helpful if I knew this was going on by Toyota actually informing customers especially as I always have my car fully serviced at Jemca Sidcup. I was only there few weeks ago and if I had been informed of this theft as part of the active measures from Toyota, then I was have prevented the theft at least by putting the Catloc instead of having to cough out over £1200 for this now. I am so upset, so angry about all of this.

    Reply

    1. Hi Anne,

      We’re very sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves. We understand that this must be a very frustrating time for you, and we’re keen to do all we can to assist customers affected by this issue.

      In April 2019 we posted guidance online for customers, and wrote to all our dealers asking them to direct customers to this information, and wrote direct to Prius customers, where we had contact details. We’re disappointed to hear that you didn’t find out about it until now, and we apologise for this.

      We’d recommend contacting your insurance company, as they will be able to let you know whether your policy covers theft.

      Also, if you’d like to make an official complaint with our customer relations team, we’d be happy to put you in touch with them. Please let us know if you would like to do this.

      Thanks

      Reply

      1. Hi,

        There is only one answer to this … DO NOT BUY TOYOTA! Unless they take their part of responsibility in this matter and help victims with the financial burden, mediate with the insurers and come with a strong defence in order to stop the thieves, next time buy another brand and advise anybody you know to do the same.

        I had my car service recently in Toyota Isleworth, spent a lot of money for a full service and none of this was mention to me. It’s really disappointing! I love the car but this is a extremely serious issue for Toyota owners.

        Furthermore, this is not knew, Toyota knows this problem for years and contrary to other brands like HONDA, has done nothing to solve the problem efficiently.

    2. Jemca Sidcup know full well about the epidemic of Catalytic Converters being stolen, as my Prius went there last April to have a CatLoc fitted due to mine being stolen. You need to have the bolts where the exhaust meets the manifold welded shut, along with additional bracing down the exposed areas of the exhaust where they try and cut the exhaust off. It still doesn’t stop them from trying though, mines been targeted again since I’ve put on additional security. Felt the response from the dealer was rubbish to be honest in regards to my case.

      Reply

  4. My Prius’ catalytic converter was stolen in the car park of a David Lloyd Club with CCTV cameras. The criminals don’t seem bothered by these. Another person also had his stolen from the same car park at the same time. Only the Toyota’s were targeted, his being an Auris. The AA diagnosed this for me and said there were many being stolen in the Cheam area. It seems that there is no way to stop/prevent this. I am already booked to drive to France on the half term holiday and as of now don’t know if I can go. The AA reckon it costs about £2000 to repair and because my car is a 2007 model the insurance company will write it off. I have had no problems with my Prius and love it but it seems that even if it is fixed it could just happen again. The nearest dealer is in Purley and someone has already remarked that they charge to diagnose and then charge up to £2000 to repair.
    Surely there is more that can be done both to prevent this and keep the costs down!
    Is there someone cheaper to take the vehicle for repair?

    Reply

  5. Mine was stolen from Wakefield Pinderfield Hospital car park today 26/01/2020. Car park have barriers/tickets system and some monitoring. Propably some guards as well. Been wondering can blame security company and charge them for all repairs?? Why i should to lose no claim bonus if they cannot protect my car??

    Reply

    1. Hi Thomas,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this situation. 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. We will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Omg!! I cannot believe the length of the thread. This is definitely a Toyota Cat Epidemic. Had I known… my Lexus Rx400h Cat was stolen on the 14 January 2020 – off road parking at John Wilson Street in Woolwich. The shock has still not worn off and fear / anxiety of it happening again is an understatement. The quotes are ridiculous. Surely, if this is a known problem and has been for a long while I presume, then Toyota’s focus should not be profit based as the theft increases but rather offer discounts and free Catlocs as they are not a 100% guarantee of anti theft.
      I am so off Toyota.

      Reply

      1. Hi Margs,

        Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been affected by this crime. We are working to support all our customers who have been impacted by this crime and we would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team. We will email you directly to discuss this with you and gain additional details in order to open a case with our team on your behalf.

        Thanks.

  6. Hi Anne,

    Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We would like to help you further and will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with our customer relations team.

    Thanks.

    Reply

  7. Hi Eduard,

    Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We appreciate the severity of your situation and would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team as they will be able to provide support in any way we can. We will email you directly regarding this.

    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. My catalytic converter was stolen on 27.01.2020 from my Auris Hybrid. Jemca Edgware Road is asking for £1640 to replace it. That is way more then the £950 recommended price that I see here. How is this possible. You should update this post to say if that includes labor or not, because they keep saying thats the price for the parts but the labor is not included. And they claim 3 hours labor for that. I would really like to see the official labor time for that job. Selling mine after this awful experience and never buying a Toyota again. And I am going to tell as many people I can about this so they will never attempt to buy a Toyota.

      Reply

      1. Hi Ionut,

        Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this may have caused. We appreciate your concerns regarding this situation and would like to put you in touch with our customer relations team in order to discuss this further. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with them.

        Thanks.

  8. My car and at least 4 others had the catalytic converters stolen today at Temple Green Park & Ride, Leeds. It seems that this is an issue which has been going on for some time and no measures have been put in place to prevent this. I also was not notified by Toyota that this was a problem either when I bought the car or when it was subsequently serviced by the Toyota dealership in Knaresborough. Furious 😡

    Reply

    1. Hi Sarah,

      Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime. Our customer relations team are best placed to discuss your situation in more detail and offer any support we can. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open a case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. Hi Toyota. I had catalyst convertor stolen last week from outside my home streatham hill. I Spoke to toyota purley way on Friday, they said it will cost around £950 and when I called them again yesterday to book the car, they change the price to £1450.00.This is a RIP off, Its has been going on from long time, they not doing anything about it and also they are not saying anything to their customers.

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for contacting us. We are sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team who are best placed to provide support in any way we can. We will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

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