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.
Hi, just getting to grips with this problem, I have a Lexus CT200h (2011) and haven’t as yet seen any comments about this model, is it a target car, should I get a catloc fitted?
thanks.
Martin
Hi Martin,
Technically any vehicle fitted with a catalytic converter is at risk of theft. There is a Catloc available for your vehicle. Please contact your nearest Lexus centre who will be able to order and fit one for you.
Thanks
Had this happen to my CT two days ago so YES. Having a low profile means nothing to these guys take an extra 5s to jack.
Saw this above;-
“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.”
Presumably, this new generation of catalytic converter is being fitted for all replacements?
I thought the catloc was £250 supplied and fitted from Toyota dealers, I have just had mine fitted from Toyota dealership and have been charged £280 is this right??
Hi Dale, thanks for your comment.
We’d recommend looking into the cost breakdown of this fitting. If you get in touch with the Centre Principal at the dealership, they’ll be able to discuss the charge and check that everything is accurate.
Thanks
I was looking for one for a vehicle abroad and was told the contents of these parts are used in drugs manufacturing. Why can’t toyota come up with a different system. These solutions they are proferring sound non-commital..
Hi Vusa, thanks for your comment.
We have been working on this issue very closely with others in the automotive industry and the local authorities. We now offer SmartWater marking on catalytic converter parts which can be completed at your local Toyota Centre free of charge. This will help to track any stolen parts and act as an additional deterrent to these theives.
Thanks.
Like everyone else on this chat, I am now the sad victim of this catalytic converter theft. The local Toyota garage were only too well aware of this now frequent occurrence and are more than happy to fit a replacement for the princely sum of £1140 plus an extra £250 for a catloc. In view of the reputational damage that Toyota appear to be suffering as a result of this receipt spate of thefts, I would have thought they might at least have offered replacements to be fitted at cost, ie subsidizing their garages to fit them. I accept it’s not Toyota’s fault, much like it wasn’t VW’s fault when there was a craze pinching the badges off VW cars (some years ago), but I seem to recall VW did offer to refit badges free of charge at the time. I also accept a catalytic converter is more expensive than just a badge, but the principle is not too different.
Hi Keith,
Thanks for getting in touch. We’re really sorry to hear that you have been affected by this awful crime.
Toyota Great Britain (TGB) has 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.
Theft deterrent devices such as CatLocs are also supplied at zero profit to TGB.
Smartwater marking is also available free of charge at Toyota Centres, which involves marking the part with an invisible yet traceable ink. Please contact your Toyota Centre for further information.
Once again, we are sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by these brazen thieves, and we hope you’re back on the road soon.
Thanks.
Warning, Do Not Buy a Toyota.
Just had my catalytic converter got stolen the SECOND time. I had Catloc fitted as recommended by Toyota and in about 5 minutes they cut through it. So not worth the money to get it fitted!!
It seems Toyota’s standard reply is any car fitted a catalytic converter is at risk, just read this forum. That may true, BUT its always a Toyota car that being targeted. They are the leading the league table. This is not a proud title to hold.
Save your self all the hassle of dealing with insurance companies, paying a higher premium at renewal and all the stress we have to go through.
My recommendation: Do Not Buy a Toyota.
Hi,
We are very sorry to hear that thieves targeted your vehicle. Catloc is a deterrent, but it is very difficult to stop brazen and determined organised criminals gangs who are using power tools to take what they want. We have reduced the precious metal content of catalytic converters in our latest models, and as a result, they aren’t at risk to the same extent as older hybrids. Again, we are sorry that your vehicle has been targeted.
Thanks
But, the precious metal content of replacement catalytic converters supplied by Toyota for the older models remains very high. meaning the risk of repeated theft is high. Why are Toyota doing this? A more rational response would be to reduce the precious metal content for all replacement catalytic converters.
Hi BC,
Thank you for your comment.
When a vehicle is designed, each part is built to work in harmony with each other.
As the engines in our newer generation hybrids have been made more efficient and technology has moved on, this has resulted in a decrease in the amount of precious metals in the catalytic converters.
We cannot put a different design of catalytic converter into an older vehicle as it is not built to function with this vehicle in an altered state.
A lower precious metal content in our catalytic converters has been made possible through new generation technology, and therefore older engines cannot have this.
Thanks.
May I ask if the new Corolla having similar issue, please?
I am a long term fan of Toyota and feel really disappointed the gov never enforces a new rule to eliminate this kind of crime.
Hi,
Whilst criminals are targeting older vehicles due to the higher content of precious metals, technically, any car fitted with a catalytic converter is at risk of theft.
Thanks
My wife bought a new Corolla 2.0 GR Sport last week. After reading this article, I called dealers to arrange fitting of Catloc.
They advise that only available for 1.8 model. Why not made for 2.0?
Hi Adrian,
Catloc is currently only available for vehicles that we consider to be at risk. At this time, the 2.0 litre Corolla is not one of those.
Thanks
Hi, is it true that the Cat on a GEN 1 Auris Hybrid is much harder to get to?
Also, where exactly is the Cat located – is it at the front or rear of the exhaust system and is it to the left or right hand side?
Therefore, will parking the side it’s located on as close to a wall as possible make it more difficult for the Cat to be stolen?
Many thanks.
Hi Annira,
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
Both generation 1 and generation 2 Auris hybrids are considered to be high risk.
If you could provide us with a reg, we will be able to check the location of the catalytic converter for you.
You can also take a look at our Smartwater marking scheme, which involves marking the part with an invisible ink to allow a stolen catalytic converter to be traced to a specific crime.
A Catloc, tilt sensor and bolt caps are also available for this model.
Thanks.
Hi Toyota team,
We just bought a 65 reg Yaris Hybrid. Could you please tell me if this car model is at a higher risk, as well as where the catalytic converter is located, so we can try to park it more securely? Thank you!
Hi Danii,
Thank you for getting in touch with us.
Any vehicle containing a catalytic converter is in theory at risk of theft. 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.
If you can provide us with your reg, we can look further into where the catalytic converter is located in your model for you.
A CatLoc is available for your vehicle, and this can be purchased through your nearest Toyota Centre.
Smartwater marking is also available, which involves marking catalytic converters with an invisible yet traceable marking in order to trace stolen parts back to a specific crime. This marking is available from your Toyota Centre free of charge.
Thanks.
Simple question – and not answered by Toyota. Not helpful at all. Just corporate speak