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.
I had 2020 prius plus, catalytic converter get stolen twice, i have to sell the car and tell whoever I know not buy any toyota model as it is targeted vehicle and toyota is doing nothing to stop this crime
Hi Haider,
We are sorry to hear that your vehicle was targeted by thieves. As detailed in this article, we have done lots of work to try to prevent this crime, but ultimately, organised criminal gangs are very hard to stop, particularly when they are so brazen and determined, using power tools to take what they want. This is a criminal issue, and we are working with Police, as the introduction of Smartwater shows. Again, we are very sorry to hear that criminal targeted your vehicle.
Thanks
We have a Toyota Auris, less than 3 years old, and have had our catalytic converter stolen TWICE. I contacted Toyota who refused to help. We replaced the first one quickly but were put on a waiting list, ‘no date’ as none were available for the second one-after an expensive 6 week wait and the cost of a hire car we had to go with a non Toyota replacement. We have had a cat lock fitted but still feel vulnerable as we hear they slow thieves down but do not stop them. So our car insurance has now risen by 50%, we have had to cover two excesses and pay to have a cat lock fitted. Toyota have behaved very shabbily towards their customers and should have recalled all these vulnerable cars and fitted cat locks FOC. I am sure their poor customer support will back fire.
Hi Marlene,
We are very sorry to hear that your vehicle was targeted by thieves.
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.
Thanks
Hi as we have no choice after CAT theft and fitted an aftermarket catalytic converter, is it eligible and worth to get it marked too? Where can I find this detailed information?
Hi Daphne,
Thanks for getting in touch with us.
We would recommend contacting your nearest Toyota Centre for further information on this.
Thanks.
I have a 2006 Previa
Does it have an- easily stealable -catalytic converter?
Hi,
Your vehicle is not considered high-risk, but any vehicle with a catalytic converter is technically at risk of theft. We do not supply an official Toyota Catloc for this vehicle currently.
Thanks
Had a Catalytic Converter stolen whilst parked in a park in broad day light.
I have a Hybrid Toyota Auris, 2011 plate which I believe would fall within the high risk group. Please can I ask why owners are not being written to regarding this issue and the option to purchase the cat-lock and advise of the free invisible ink marking service? Toyota have known about this issue since pre covid-19.
I am incredibly saddened by the lack of transparency in the first instance. I feel very sorry for the customers who have left reviews advising of their Catalytic Converters being stolen from rather new vehicles, sometimes the same vehicle being targeted on multiple occasions.
Secondly I have been advised by Toyota that they do not have any information regarding when new stock will be arriving. Do I go without a car until then?
I do not think I would be a customer of Toyota in the future – I am sure I am not the only one, and I don’t have much confidence of these vehicles retaining a good resale value based on these issues.
Hi D,
Thanks for your comment. We’re so sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by criminals.
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. We have tried to ensure as many of our customers as possible are aware.
In May 2021, Toyota (GB) announced that it would be covertly marking more than 100,000 catalytic converters in order to combat theft. 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.
If you would like to make a formal complaint, you can do so with our Customer Relations team 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.
Thanks.
I have a Toyota Auris (Petrol) automatic 62 plate. Is it at high risk?
Hi Vince,
Thanks for contacting us.
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.
Thanks.
Are all toyota dealers offering free smartwater marking? Can they refuse or ask us for a fee for doing it?
Hello Vince, thank you for your comment.
All Toyota Centres are able to carry out the smartwater marking and it is a process completed free of charge. If you are having problems obtaining this service, please provide us further information including the name of the dealership. Thanks.
We’ve just had our catalytic converter stolen at a children’s farm in fetcham. Absolutely heartbroken as we only bought the car 2 years ago and now we feel it’s not safe to park it anywhere. The catlock can be cut as quickly as the converter so what’s the point in paying out even more. Something needs to be done by Toyota to replace all cat converters asap to all the cars that are vulnerable as the police don’t seem to be able to catch the thieves. If something isn’t done Toyota sales will drop dramatically!
Hi Suzie,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. We’re so sorry to hear that you have been affected by this awful crime.
Catloc makes it harder to steal a catalytic converter, slowing thieves down and acting as a deterrent. However, as criminals are using high-powered cutting tools to remove catalytic converters, it is unfortunately impossible to make them ‘unstealable’.
This is ultimately a criminal issue, and we are working with the Police to try and identify issues with existing legislation.
In May 2021, Toyota (GB) announced that it would be covertly marking more than 100,000 catalytic converters in order to combat theft. This involves tagging catalytic converters with an invisible traceable marking, meaning that a stolen catalytic converter can be traced to a specific crime.
Catalytic converters can be marked for free. Please call your nearest Toyota Centre for more information.
Once again, we are so sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves, and we hope you are back on the road soon.
Thanks.
is my Toyota 2004 yaris t3 model at high risk from catalytic theft
Hi Allan,
Thanks for your comment.
Your vehicle is not considered high-risk, but any vehicle with a catalytic converter is technically at risk of theft.
Thanks.
I am considering buying a new Toyota Yaris. Is this a high risk vehicle.
Hi Sean,
Thanks for your comment.
Our newer hybrids benefit from a reduced level of precious metals in their catalytic converters, making them less attractive to thieves and therefore lower risk.
However, any vehicle containing a catalytic converter is in theory at risk of theft.
Thanks.
I am due to take delivery of a brand new RAV4 Hybrid next month and am a little concerned regarding Hybrids in particular being targeted for catalytic converter theft.
Surely something could be fitted during production that would make it more time consuming / difficult for would be thieves to cut the item off in less than a minute.
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your comment, and congratulations on your new vehicle!
All catalytic converters contain precious metals that can be attractive to thieves, regardless of manufacturer or age. However, targeted Toyota vehicles are almost always older hybrid models we no longer make. This is because previous generations of catalytic converter for our hybrid vehicles had much larger quantities of precious metals in them, to help reduce vehicle emissions. Newer ones have vastly less due to improved hybrid technology.
CatLocs can make theft more difficult, but determined and brazen organised criminals using power tools are impossible to completely protect against.
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.
We hope you’ll love your RAV4 when it arrives!
Thanks.
It was great to see that Toyota have now taken action to mark the CAT using Smartwater, but I am concerned that the data I may provide is not secure if passed on to Smartwater as although they claim to be ISO 27001 certified they do not appear in the ISO Directory. Where is my personal data to be held if I had the catalytic converter on my vehicle marked?