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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. Mine is a Toyota Auris hybrid for which the catalytic converter is stolen this week from my driveway and on checking with Steven Eagell Toyota, there are quoting the price as £1250 for the replacement where the blog says – “Our recommended prices for a bundle that includes a new catalyst and a Catloc are £950 for Auris Hybrid, £1,000 for Prius Gen 2 and £1050 for Prius Gen 3.”

    This looks like even Toyota is not aligned on the prices and not really doing anything for help even after publishing the prices on portals, dealership is charging what they want. This is ridiculous.

    Reply

    1. Hi Abhay,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are sorry you have been a victim of this crime. The price quoted by our dealers may vary depending on the extent of any damage that needs repair. We have moved to ensure that the cost to customers of replacement catalytic converters supplied and fitted through our approved service centres is as low as possible, and that TGB doesn’t profit from this.

      Please also be aware we are currently engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

      If you would like to discuss your situation further with our customer relations team, you can find their contact details via this link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/contact-us/

      Once again, we are sorry you have been impacted by this crime.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  2. Just got my stolen. Why can toyota not connect this to the alarm system when the car is locked any tampering of the catalytic converter the alarm should come on. Big let down.

    Reply

    1. Hi Zaman,

      Thanks for getting in touch and or sharing your thoughts with us. We are incredibly sorry you have been affected by this crime. We are doing all we can and have developed and are supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit such as CatLocs, bolt caps, component etching and tilt sensors/alarms (available soon) to protect consumers from further attacks.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  3. Hi Toyota

    I had my Catalytic stolen mid last year.
    The responses I have seen keep mentioning about technical solutions. Toyota have now had over a year for the technical solution.
    Can you please share what customers can do now to protect the part and will Toyota be covering the additional costs involved.

    Regards

    Reply

    1. Hi James,

      Thanks for the message. We have developed and are supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit such as CatLocs, bolt caps, component etching and tilt sensors/alarms (available soon) to protect consumers from further attacks. As soon as we have more information to share, we will update this blog post.

      Please also be aware we are engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  4. The cat converter was stolen from my 2016 Auris Excel Hybrid in broad daylight from the road directly in front of my apartment. A neighbour was on the phone to the police and my wife was shouting at the two guys from the balcony. It was all over in about two minutes. The thieves took off with my cat, the police – who had been given the thieves reg. number by my neighbour – expressed little interest and never came by. Hills of Woodford, my local dealer, we’re similarly disinterested. They told me that they could not provide a recovery service and wanted £750 upfront before they would order any parts. My insurance company, Allianz, had the car collected by their own repairer within a couple of hours and were able to return it five days later. Upon its return I immediately drove it to webuyanycar.com and got rid. Their offer wasn’t brilliant but, frankly, I wouldn’t want to buy a Toyota at ANY price. For now I remain without a vehicle whilst I consider my options. Occasionally it’s a nuisance but it’s still better than sitting up day and night looking out of the window. Well done Allianz and a pox on everyone else.

    Reply

  5. Mine was stolen around midday at our company offices on Birmingham Business park where apparently others have been a victim. CCTV was no discouragement to thieves. Apparently they jacked the car up with parked car next to mine. I’m curious why this didn’t set off the car alarm. i also wish I’d been advised about Catloc before it happened to me.

    Clearly ALL is not being done by those who have the power to do something : car manufacturers, police, insurers and government. Please work together, make decisions and stop this from costing normal hard working people thousands of pounds and plenty of upset.

    Toyota should take immediate simple steps:
    – contact owners and offer free or subsidised fitting of catloc
    – Mark catalytic converters with a serial number to make it distinctive
    – Place a protective covering over the catalytic converter (Honda have a tray under the catalytic converter and in more recent models have moved it to the engine bay)
    – lobby the government and work with insurers to keep a register of catalytic converters / prevent scrap metal merchants from accepting any before checking serial number on register.

    See this sensible article on BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49767195

    Reply

    1. My catalytic converter was stolen from Hampton-in-Arden station car park yesterday. I was told by recovery team that 13 where stolen from NEC car parks on same day. Once fixed I will be getting rid as seems no point keeping if you cannot be sure car will not be attacked. Catloc by Toyota’s admission will not stop determined thieves.

      Reply

      1. Hi Tony,

        Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We appreciate the severity of this situation. Please be aware we are engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

        We are also working with insurers to minimise the impact on customers.

        Thanks.

    2. Mine was stolen outside my house at 4pm on Saturday 8th Feb the dashcam cam on and it was stolen in under 3 minutes. I have also written to Toyota saying everything you mention above and they have written back saying they are working hard to resolve the issue – but the crime numbers are increasing? and their customers are telling them they are not doing enough? they are not listening the message from Toyota is the same while the number of thefts just carry on increasing – I’ve also written to the UK CEO Paul Vanderburgh but same response as on this blog, they are not listening; as a minimum they SHOULD of written to their customers but they don’t agree so as a customer I am wrong – I am wrong to feel nervous every time I get in my car and start it up – stress free relaxing drive? I don’t think so as soon as I can get rid of the car I definitely will owning one is too stressful

      Reply

      1. Hi Sarah,

        Thanks for getting in touch. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We have tried to ensure as many of our customers as possible are aware. We published police advice on this crime as soon as we could online, wrote to our dealer network to brief customers and wrote directly to owners of a number of our vehicles where we had confirmed details to do so.

        Please also be aware, we are currently engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

        Thanks.

  6. Hi Kieran,

    Thanks for getting in touch. We are sorry you have been impacted by this crime. Please be aware we are engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

    We have developed and are supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit such as CatLocs which do have anti-tamper fixings and a unique marking kit that chemically etches a unique number into the catalysts, which is registered on the International Security Register. We are also working with insurers to minimise the impact on consumers.

    Thanks.

    Reply

  7. Hi Shakeel,

    Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We are currently engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation. We are also working with insurers to minimise the impact on consumers.

    In addition, we published police advice on this crime as soon as it could online, wrote to our dealer network to brief customers and wrote directly to owners of a number of our vehicles where we had details to do so. We have tried to ensure as many of our customers as possible are aware.

    Please also be aware, we are manufacturing Catlocs for our vehicles deemed most at risk of theft. This currently does not include Corolla.

    If you would like to discuss your situation further with our customer relations team, you can find their contact details via this link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/contact-us/

    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Laszlo,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We don’t currently have Tilt alarms available. As soon as we have updates on this, we will share it to this blog.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. Had my converter stolen last week.
    Disappointed as I was warned by family about this theft however, as my car is an Auris 2010 model thought I wasn’t at risk. The totoya website refers to Auris’ 2012 onwards being at risk. This is misleading.

    Will the CatLocs even fit on my Auris 2010 model?

    Have people experienced theft of the replacement converters – the ones that aren’t as valuable?

    Reply

    1. Hi Alwyn,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime for a second time. Please be aware we are engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

      We are also working to minimise the impact on consumers by working with insurers, treating all cases on a one by one basis and developing and supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit such as CatLocs, component etching and tilt alarms (available soon).

      If you would like to discuss your situation further with our customer relations team, you can find their contact details via this link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/contact-us/

      Thanks.

      Reply

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