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.
I didnt realise the Auris hybrids were being targeted in addition to the Prius until I read a number were stolen from vehicles close to me & on further investigation (and reading this blog) it included the Auris. Jemca have quoted me a catloc, etchings and glass stickers for £250 inclusive. I was hoping for £200 all in and might have reluctantly paid it but for the fact numerous people have said here it made no difference, i.e. it was still stolen. Added to that some people have been targeted 2 or 3 times! Whether or not insurance covers it I dont know but there would be an excess to pay and no doubt increased premiums on renewal.
Well this is such a pity because I’ve had 3 years very enjoyable and absolutely trouble free motoring with that Auris Hybrid and was going to give it another 2 years before thinking of a part exchange.
With the government’s recent anti Hybrid announcements, lack of law enforcement and such derisory punishments meted out to criminals by the courts then clearly I cant wait that long before becoming another statistic.
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for your message. We are sorry you have been impacted by this crime.
Toyota is very concerned with the recent sharp rise in the organised theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in the UK which is affecting its customers. Toyota’s first priority is to do all we can to support its customers who have been victims of this crime and we have taken measures to increase replacement parts supply as quickly as we can.
Catalyst theft has existed as long as catalysts have been fitted to cars – many years – but it has always been rare. We first became aware of a growth in this crime in late 2018, when we issued urgent guidance (where we could), including police advice, to our customers and our dealer network.
We are not the police, but we are doing all we can to try and help prevent this crime being committed, and have taken the following actions:
Engaged 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 scrap metal legislation.
We have also 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.
We treat all cases on a one by one basis and our Customer Relations team will look at a customer’s case and consider offering a courtesy vehicle FOC where insurance providers will not cover this cost. 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. We are also working with insurers to minimise the impact on consumers.
Thanks.
I have a 2015 Auris Hybrid and like the car and knew about the cat thefts before I bought it as researched about the car before hand.
What I think Toyota should do is certainly offer to recover the car for free and passengers after cat stolen. Especially if having Toyota to replace cat and loan a car in the iterim.
I wouldn’t claim as don’t want higher insurance premiums for 5 years or if happened twice, insurance declined. 2nd time I would probably look to sell.
I bought a protection plate off Ebay for £30 and had it re-inforced for £20 and fitted for £17. A lot cheaper than £250.
I would be interested in the tilt alarm, but fear most alarms are ignored.
Toyota should offer the police some bait cars and have a targeted sting in known hot spots!
James.
Hi, Sadly my Auris Catalytic converter has been stolen at 11pm at night.
These have platinum parts that hold their value on the open market so I do not think it is just sold to the mental scraps it is to Goldsmith’s as well. The million dollar question is why my alarm did not go off when the car was jacked and the hydraulics was used. Any jerking of the vehicle should of set of the alarm, but Toyota are claiming it is not internal. This causes for concern for Law suit. What prevention measures are Toyota placing for the consumer protection and safety. We are at risk and Toyota have had more than enough time. I will be writing to MP, local newspaper, and CEO. Lets start to lobby the government etc. I am absolutely lived, the minute we say this is fine, it is like we are accepting it.
Hi Sajia,
Thanks for getting in touch. We’re so sorry you have been a victim of this crime.
Please be aware, we are currently engaging with 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, bolt caps, component etching and tilt sensors/alarms (available soon) to protect consumers from further attacks. We are also working with insurers to minimise the impact on consumers.
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.
Dear Toyota UK.
You keep repeating your so called actions to all as above. How about some positive action. Forget the “we are producing Catloc at zero profit” response. and the “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” rubbish. That is absolutely no help whatsoever to the people who have suffered the theft. Not to mention the personal upset and inconvenience. You should be suppling and fitting at no cost to your loyal customers this so called Catloc system which as you have previously stated it can still be stolen even with this fitted.
Hi just wondering how you are lobbying for a change? Mine was stolen and I think it’s preposterous – Toyota is charging 1200 pounds to replace it and can give no guarantee that it won’t get stolen again.
Hi Farah,
Thanks for getting in touch. We’re 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.
Thanks.
I’ve sold my Auris for this very reason. I was intending to keep hold of this car for a while, as it has been very reliable, but each time I parked in a public place, I was getting paranoid about the catalytic converter being ripped out. Feeling quite sad and annoyed about selling a good car I invested in, and that customers have had little support on the issue – dealerships don’t really care. I’ll consider the new Corolla in a year or so to see how things pan out, but have a feeling this is not limited to the models suggested on the blog article. Check out the Lexus blog.
Welcome news re the tilt alarm “soon to be available”
Is this to be available across the range , more specificantly for the Corolla Hybrid?
Are we talking weeks away or months?
This will be a no brainer to have installed!
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for getting in touch. We currently have no further information to share regarding the Tilt Alarm. As soon as we have more to share, we will update this blog post.
Thanks.
Hi,
My Catalytic converter was cut off my Auris 2012 Hybrid yesterday between the hours of 3PM-8.30 PM in a residential street.
They jacked it up one side and cut it off, parts wise it’s going to cost £1186 for the sensor, the Cat and the CatLoc +fitting..ooch!! I’m not going down the insurance route because i’ve read that the insurance costs spike after a claim. I think the CatLoc is a slight deterrent, it might help. I loved my Car, but now i am really considering part exchanging it for a new 2020 Yaris Hybrid, where does the Catalytic converter sit in the new car is it under the engine so the thieves can’t get to it?
I hope Toyota give me a great part exchange value on it..(i hope your listening Toyota).
Hi Denise,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. As we have reduced the quantity of precious metals by up to 84% in catalytic converter design over time, older models seem more attractive to thieves. In addition to this, the Catalytic converter is housed within the engine bay on the new 2020 Yaris making it less accessible.
Thanks.
I am getting a CatLoc fitted this week via Toyota dealer. Just curious if anyone has had the converter stolen with the CatLoc installed?
We toyota car owners must complain about what is happening to our car. They should put a catluck to secure the car..I must say that. We should not buy toyota cars anymore..
Yes! They stole the catalytic converter and the Catloc!
HI Dianna, what models did you have (Prius or Auris) and what registration year?
The reason I ask is because I believe that due to the location of the catalytic converter on earlier cars, pre-2009 catlocs may be less effective than on later vehicles.
Many thanks
Hi Keven. It was a 2007 Prius.
Last night catalytic converter was been stolen from my car I bought this car 4 months ago direct from Toyota (auris 2015)but no one told me about security device I paid for the car 12700 so another 250 to secure I would be happy to pay now Toyota saying I have to wait few weeks for the parts coz they lot of people waiting for they order
Very disappointed Toyota such a big company and no one told me about catalytic converter getting stolen
I am taxi driver so I can’t work for few weeks coz they is alot of backlog
Hi Imran,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We have tried to ensure as many of our customers as possible are aware. Toyota 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.
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.