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Catalytic converter theft: how to protect your car

By Lexus UK

Catalytic converter theft from cars isn’t a new crime, but it has increased significantly in recent times.

Police forces around the UK, including those in West Yorkshire, London and Suffolk, are advising owners of any car fitted with a catalytic converter to take precautions.

Any car fitted with a catalytic converter could be at risk. 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 cars sold in Europe since 1993 have had to be fitted with 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 in the main, the value of the catalytic converter for recycling is the main attraction to thieves, because they contain precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium.

What is Toyota doing to stop its cars being targeted?

In May 2021, Toyota (GB) announced that it would be covertly marking more than 100,000 catalytic converters in order to combat theft. By working with police and Smartwater, catalytic converters can be tagged with an invisible yet traceable marking, meaning 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.

It is free to get the catalytic converter marked, all customers need to do is call their local Toyota or Lexus retailer to arrange a visit.

In addition to this, Toyota has issued 20,000 Smartwater kits to police to support their local anti-catalyst theft initiatives. The company is also working with the AA, Toyota’s roadside partner, so its patrols can point customers to where they can get a free kit.

We have also developed and reduced the price of a ‘Catloc’ device which can deter theft and make it more difficult. Toyota teams in the UK and other countries are urgently exploring new technical possibilities to deter criminals as well.

We are working with the police, as well as talking to government about changes in the law around scrap metal sales that would make it harder for criminals to sell stolen catalysts for cash.

However, these are criminal operations and our scope is therefore limited. A number of police forces are taking action and some forces, such as Nottinghamshire, are also starting awareness campaigns. It is vitally important for anyone who is a victim of this crime to report it to their local police force as quickly as possible.

In the main, it remains older cars that are targeted because advances in efficiency and technology mean the latest generations of Toyota catalytic converters contain vastly lower amounts of precious metals, whilst 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 Catloc 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 catalytic converters ‘unstealable’. A Catloc makes it harder to steal a catalytic converter, slowing thieves down and acting as a deterrent. As mentioned above, we’re doing all we can to seek further technical options for customers.

Is Catloc available for my Toyota?

Catloc devices are available for a growing proportion of our range, but not all. We recommend speaking to your local Toyota centre.

How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter?

Toyota’s first priority is to do all we can to support our customers who have been victims of crime.

We have moved to reduce the prices of replacement catalytic converters and Catlocs to a level where Toyota GB does not make any profit from supplying them to customers.

Your nearest Toyota centre can advise on exact costs after inspecting your vehicle.

Is it true that there is a long wait for replacement catalytic converter parts for Toyota cars?

The rapid rise in this crime in 2019 is one we could not have envisaged, set against many years of low incidence of catalytic converter theft. This initially impacted our ability to source enough of the parts we needed in some cases, for which we sincerely apologise.

Toyota has restarted production lines in Japan and France that made catalysts for many of the older models targeted in order to supply affected owners, developed a Catloc security device which helps deter theft (and has been granted a “Sold Secure with Gold Status” security ranking) and ensured it makes no profit at all from the sale of replacement catalysts or from Catlocs, providing them at cost.

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 13 May 2021, so some of the responses to reader comments below have been superseded by more recent information.

2,394 comments

  1. Good afternoon
    I have a 2020 Toyota Corolla 1.8L hybrid & after reading all the items regarding Cat thefts, am a little worried.
    My car is a 3 year business lease from Toyota.
    Are there any plans for Toyota to fit a Catloc on these leases?
    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi David,
      Thanks for getting in touch with us.
      If you are worried, there is a CatLoc available for your vehicle. This must be purchased from your nearest Toyota Centre.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi
        Who pays for the Catloc, as the car is on business lease from Toyota?

      2. Hi David,

        If you’d like a Catloc fitted to the vehicle, this is something you would pay for.

        Thanks

      3. Just had ours stolen last night. Was not a good experience as you can imagine. Totally recommend getting the Cat loc

      4. Hi Gayatri,

        We are sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves and hope you are back on the road soon. Please contact your nearest Toyota centre who can help with that.

        Thanks

  2. Hi,
    I am thinking of buying RAV4, May I know how many catalytic converter RAV4 having it?
    As of now no theft in RAV4, but feature may be. How to protect even though Toyota Catloc not available?

    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Ramya,

      Thanks for your interest in the new RAV4. It has one catalytic converter. This vehicle is not deemed high risk, which is why there is currently no official Toyota Catloc available. Bolt welding is available for your vehicle though, and your Toyota centre will be able to provide more information. You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/forms-v2/forms?tab=pane-dealer

      Thanks

      Reply

      1. Just for information, how much catalytic converters cost for RAV4 2021 model and please provide part number details.

      2. Hi Ramya,
        Thanks for your comment.
        Your nearest Toyota Centre will be best placed to assist with pricing.
        Thanks.

  3. We have recently bought a Toyota Yaris, registered in 2018. We are worried about catalyst converter and is there any protection we can take for this year model.

    Reply

      2. Hi Pravin,
        Thanks for your comment.
        Your nearest Toyota Centre will be able to advise on prices and fitting costs.
        Thanks.

  4. I have a Feb 2020 Rav4. Can you confirm Where my cat converter is located as I have been informed it’s both under the bonnet and under the car. Also can it be protected by a catlock.
    Thanks
    Ron T

    Reply

    1. Hi Ron,

      There is a catalytic converter under the car. As your vehicle is currently deemed at low risk of theft, there is no official Toyota Catloc available. There are some other options like marking kits and bolt welding though. Please contact your nearest Toyota centre for more information.

      Thanks

      Reply

  5. Toyota should be ashamed of themselves with just putting out the generic same answer to everyone who has suffered with this crime. Instead of fake sympathy how about you do something of value to customers that blindly brought your vehicles without being made aware that Toyota’s are the most prone to have their catalytic converters stolen. Obviously making the sale is more important so you don’t inform any buyer of such a massive problem. I for one would’ve never gone near a prius if I knew that they were so easy to steal from.
    You think it’s OK to say “I’m sorry to hear blah, blah, blah but we have devolped a cat lock for your car.” OK fine but then we have the privilege of paying £250 to get it fitted. How about Toyota fit them as standard to all cars before being sold?? Or how about offering to fit them to disgruntled customers who after having theirs stolen have to spend hours sorting it out, reporting to pllice who are interested, reporting to insurance companies then having to wait to be rescued and then also have the privilege of paying their excess on their insurance as well as the inflated premiums we now have to pay each time it happens.
    How about you look after customers who bought their cars but are now desperately wanting to get rid of them because instead of fake sympathy.
    As a company you should be doing A LOT MORE than saying sorry.
    I for one now cannot wait to get rid of my Prius+ but again to my own cost.
    Toyota do something about this issue because the effect its having on Toyota owners is a disgrace to the company.

    Reply

    1. Well said Ricci. I suggested Toyota improve cat location or reduce accessibility , and pay for catalocs susceptible cars. But they avoided a response to the suggestion and have me some unhelpful generic rubbish. I own a Toyota Corolla 2.0 hybrid which doesn’t have a cataloc available. Shame on Toyota. I love the car but I’m looking elsewhere unless my local dealer Doncaster will pay for a catloc. No joy yet.

      Reply

      1. The current generation of hybrid engines have their cat in an area which you can’t get too, the heat from the cat is used to warm the coolant to improve engine efficiency. They also don’t contain anywhere near the level of the expensive metals that the first/second generation models have. That’s why the first/second generation Prius, Auris and Prius + have been targeted along with the RX400h and CT200h for Lexus owners.

  6. I have Just bought Toyota Yaris Hybrid 2019 excel 1.5L 2019 model from Toyota dealer in luto Its not delivered yet Does my car need Catloc?

    Would Toyato pay for it

    Reply

    1. Hi Sweta,
      Thank you for your comment, and congratulations on your new car!
      Whilst criminals seem to be targeting Auris and Prius vehicles from our range, any vehicle containing a catalytic converter is at theory at risk of theft.
      There is a CatLoc available for your vehicle, and this can be ordered through your nearest Toyota Centre. However, it would be something you would need to pay for yourself.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  7. I have just had my catalytic converter stolen from my Toyota Auris Hybrid. I didn’t even know I had one! Reported to Police. Hoping the thieves are caught on CCTV. My insurance co. cannot give me a courtesy car because it will be for too long a period. The new part will take months to arrive. They can get a repairer to replace the part with a pattern (i.e. non-original Toyota) fairly quickly. So this is a cheap option for them. What I have said is that if the cat lock fits then fine but if not then I want the original Toyota part. Will the pattern part be far less superior than the original Toyota? I cannot be without a car, certainly not for a couple of months. What do you suggest I do? Can Toyota help in any way???? I am frustrated upset and feel really let down. I have my first hospital appointment on Friday and with a bad back, I cannot use public transport. I just feel so abandoned here.

    Reply

    1. Hi Maria,
      Thanks for your comment. We’re so sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by criminals.
      Any catalytic converter will work in a similar way, but an aftermarket part might not be as effective in filtering out emissions as an official Toyota part and may not have the same longevity. This is down to the quality of the part itself.
      Our Customer Relations team treat all cases on a one-by-one basis in order to provide support in any way we can, and they will be best placed to look into your specific situation further for you.
      They can be contacted here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre/email-us.
      Once again, we are so sorry to hear that you have been affected by this awful crime, and we hope that you’re back on the road soon.
      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Kavi,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Criminals seem to be targeting older hybrids due to the greater amount of precious metals they contain. 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.
      However, any vehicle containing a catalytic converter is in theory at risk of theft.
      We would recommend contacting your nearest Toyota Centre to discuss the theft deterrent options available to you.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. I am due to pick up my new CHR Dynamic 2020 (70 plate) tomorrow, and have already been a victim of Cat Converter thief, when my (Hybrid Auris 2016) was targeted. What is the risk of Cat Coverter theft with my new care and is there a Catloc available for this madel.

    Reply

    1. Hi Elaine,

      Congratulations on your new car. In the main, it remains older cars that are targeted because advances in efficiency and technology mean the latest generations of Toyota catalytic converters contain vastly lower amounts of precious metals, whilst 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. Whilst the C-HR remains low risk, we have developed a Catloc for 1.8 litre hybrid C-HR. Please contact your centre so they can order and fit this for you.

      Thanks

      Reply

  10. Hi
    My catalytic converter was stolen off my 1999 yaris .
    What an excellent car it is….I am having it replaced with a scrap yard one ….as my car because of its age will not pass another mot sadly.
    I ve heard of this happening a lot.
    Sue Caveney

    Reply

    1. Hi Susan,

      We are very sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves. We hope you are back on the road soon.

      Thanks

      Reply

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