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.
Had mine stolen again. Catloc was completely useless as they cut right through it.
Thats £300 excess x2 and a £250 catloc. £850 in 8 months on a car I bought specifically for its low running costs.
Not happy.
Hi Sean,
Thanks for your message. We’re so sorry you have been affected by this crime and for the distress this may have caused. We are doing all we can to help our customers who have been impacted by this crime. Our customer relations team treat all cases on a one by one basis in order to provide support in any way we can and we are also working with insurers to minimise the impact on customers. If you would like to discuss your situation further with our team, you can find their contact details via this link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/contact-us/
Please also note, we have 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 legislation.
Thanks.
Hi Sean, would you mind telling me what year your Auris is and if it had the Toyota fitted catloc? I have a 15 plate Auris and had cat in January. Thanks
Why is it that Toyota recommend a “catloc” when it appears that a “catclamp” is much more effective?
Hi Mary,
A Catalytic converter clamp is a type of catalytic converter lock. We developed a system specifically for our vehicles to deter criminals, and supply them at no profit to our customers. Of course, you are able to choose any theft prevention device, and you do not have to fit our specially-developed device.
Thanks
Mine has been stolen yet again within 5 months. Auris targeted and I did all the right things. Plate thing is a waste of time. Am selling mine now and will never buy a Toyota or Hybrid, I might as well go back to diesel as I tried to do my bit for the environment but I dont want to be bankrupt by it. PLease Toyota dont send me a reply saying I am sorry etc unless you are going to offer to replace it all for free.
Hi David,
Please contact the customer relations team if you’d like to discuss this: https://fal.cn/38KMy
Thanks
Hi David, would you mind telling me what year your Auris is and if it had the Toyota fitted catloc? I have a 15 plate Auris and had cat in January. Thanks
My catalytic converter was stolen at the start of the lock down. Till now I have still waiting my insurance to sort it out. As already other commenters said, Toyota ignored over 800 comments to take action to resolve the matter. This will definitely damage their reputation. Catloc is not the solution. Can you please be honest with your customers and tell the truth if there is no other hidden agenda that we might not know.
Like many other Toyota hybrid owners I am thinkig twise to sell this car where possible, can not see any other solution.
Hi Farhan,
We are very sorry to hear this. There is no hidden agenda. Automotive manufacturers are legally obliged to fit catalytic converters to vehicles. Ours featured higher precious metal content, to make our cars cleaner. There was no way we could have envisaged that the value of these precious metals would rise so high, making them a target for thieves. On our newer models, there has been a huge reduction in the concentration of precious metals, making them less attractive to thieves.
Catloc is a deterrent, but a determined thief with power tools is likely to find any means possible to commit their crime.
Again we’re sorry to hear about your issue and wish you all the best.
Thanks
Thanks
Apparently the police were going to do a task force to focus on this but it has gone by the wayside because of COVID. So will be more years now until anything is done.
Certainly agree with you Paul. Second time mine been stolen in 5 months. I thought I was doing earth a favour getting a hybrid but I have had to pay £350 excess twice now and my car insurance, surprise surprise, also went up by £300…Cant wait to get rid of it.
My catalytic converter of Yaris and Auris Hybrid has been stolen last week in a minute time same day and it’s now going through the insurance claim. Even if I get the car back fixed, I’m certain that it will be stolen again and again as may reviews reveal that they are targeted repeatedly.
I surprise Why Toyota is not modifying the catalytic converter accordingly to deter this kind of theft. I can’t risk buying Toyota Hybrid now. Toyota’s comment on Catloc…and they are not profiting from this and so on…it is not a fix…as these people still will jack up the car (who know what kind of other damage it will cause?!), and if they were really up for it, they will take if off.
Sadly once I get the car back, I am thinking to sell it and move on to some other brand those are not in target.
I also had my CC stolen in July and I can say I was so unhappy with the manager of my local Lexus toyota dealer I complained to customer services.
Customer services could not tell me when I would get a new CC so I lost my summer holiday as well as £1246.00 which I paid out of my own pocket. However I did get a free catloc but after seeing comments have decided it is still not 100% so I have decided to part exchange as I think its the only way forward.
I go out for meals and wonder if the car will be okay, I wake up in the night just to look out the window to check on the car. it is affecting my health. Personally with all the skilled mechanics at Toyota and they cannot solve a relatively small design problem and to pathetically fob every one of us off with I am sorry bla bla bla they do not deserve our business.
Hi Debendra,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been affected by this crime. Would you like to be put you in touch with our customer relations team in order to discuss your situation further? Our team are assessing cases on an individual basis to provide support in any way we can.
Thanks.
This evening my catalytic converter was stolen from my Toyota Hybrid, my car was parked on my drive way in broad daylight even had witnesses who said they were in and out in less that 2 mins.
Not looking forward to the insurance process and I’m concerned over the lack of support. This blog suggests Toyota are warning their customers however I bought the car last August, I had no such warnings when buying the car and have received nothing from Toyota either by email or post since.
Once it’s repaired I no longer want a hybrid as I fear the thieves would return since they now know where a target is, and I would be looking to exchange it for a different model. Is Toyota willing to support me in this? I’ve been a Toyota customer for over twelve years and this is very upsetting.
Hi Garry,
Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been impacted by this crime and for the distress this may have caused. Please be aware we are working to help all our customers who have been impacted by this. In addition we have 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 legislation.
Would you like us to put you in touch with our customer relations team? They are best placed to discuss your situation in more detail and offer support in any way we can.
Thanks.
Hi There
I’d very much appreciate being put in contact with customer relations thank you
Thanks for your reply Garry. We will email you directly to discuss this further.
Thanks.