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Catalytic converter theft: how to protect your car

By TOYOTA UK

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.

2,452 comments

  1. Hi,
    I have 2017 Toyota Prius Hybrid , does it have a catalytic converter ? Is the car at high risk ? And is there a Catloc for this model ?

    Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Helen,
      All vehicles fitted with a catalytic converter are technically at risk of theft.
      Your Prius does have a catalytic converter, and a CATLOC is available.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi Rob,
        A CATLOC is available for this vehicle.
        Please contact your nearest Toyota Centre for further information on fitting.
        Thanks.

  2. Hi

    I have Toyota Estima Hybrid 2012 imported from Japan, is there a catlock available for this model?

    Kind regards
    Konrad

    Reply

    1. Hi there,
      We do not have any information on imported vehicles.
      Your Toyota Centre would be best placed to advise on the options available.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  3. So as a owner of 2 Toyota Auris Hybrids it was only a matter of time before ours got robbed and tonight was the night. What surprises me more than anything is how easy it was to do. We park our cars on a private drive outside our house and we have gravel outside and a dog yet they still manage to steal our catalytic converter tonight in what must have only taken around a min at 8:30pm whilst the whole family was in. It seems like it’s such a quick easy job and so disappointed. My worry is now they’ll be back for the other car ot once this one is replaced they’ll be back again as our house is probably ‘marked’ as a Hybrid owner. They also took the converter from the newest car which I found strange but perhaps they were planning on taking both anyway. Up until this point I couldn’t recommend the cars enough (that’s why we brought enough so me and my wife had one each) however now I feel the only way forward is for us to sell both cars and no longer have a Toyota which is a shame but the only way we’re going to have a good night’s sleep from now.

    Reply

    1. Hi Richard,
      We are very sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves.
      Currently, we are supplying theft deterrent devices such as CatLocs, tilt alarms and bolt caps. Please contact your Toyota Centre for further information on fitting these.
      However, criminals are using high-grade power tools that are difficult for any manufacturer to completely protect against.
      We are working with the police and various other agencies to put a stop to this horrible crime.
      Once again, we are very sorry that this has happened to you and hope you are back on the road soon.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. No worries, we’ve decided to sell both of our Auris now just so we can sleep at night even after spending a small fortune on installing cctv. I purchased a cat lock but this would only delay them and not stop them and you didn’t have any smart water in stock even though I had booked in advance but this doesn’t matter anyway if its been stolen, stored on a shipping container and smelted down abroad. I just can’t understand why consumers of Toyota are having to pay these extras.

    2. The catalytic converter on my old Renault Laguna got stolen a few weeks ago. I assumed nobody would steal mine as it is not Japanese nor a hybrid. It just shows that it doesn’t really matter what make and model of vehicle you own, as criminals will try their luck anyway. The only way you can be 100% safe is to buy an electric car.

      Reply

    1. Hi Ray,

      Technically, any car fitted with a catalytic converter is at risk of theft.

      Your vehicle isn’t deemed as high risk though.

      Thanks

      Reply

  5. My Prius cat was stolen whilst on my driveway.
    On Toyota recommendation I fitted their cat lock.
    The catlock and catalyst have now been stolen again.
    The car isn’t safe outside of a locked garage, which I don’t have.
    It’s effectively scrap.
    The Service manager at the lock fitting Toyota garage in St Ives doesn’t return my calls.
    Great!
    doesn’t it!

    Reply

    1. Hi Neil,
      Technically any vehicle is at risk of catalytic converter theft.
      However, your RAV4 is classed as a low risk vehicle.
      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi Edward,
      We would recommend contacting your nearest Toyota Centre to see what protection is available for your RAV4.
      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. I have a 2018 Prius and assume this is ‘low risk’. Please confirm this.

    But, more helfully in deciding what to do, can you (Toyota) please provide the statistics that set out the number of catalyctic converter thefts that you have recorded from each generation of Prius. Another way to do it, would be to list how many of the old, as opposed to the new (84% precious metal reduced), converters you have replaced or sold. You will be keeping such statistics and they would be a useful resource for your loyal customers.

    Reply

    1. Hi Roger,
      Please provide the registration of your Prius so we can look into this for you.
      Furthermore, we are unable to share internal data like this.
      Any vehicle fitted with a cat converter is at risk of theft.
      Second and third generation Prius vehicles are considered most at risk.
      This is why we recommend the installation of a CatLoc.
      Please contact your nearest Toyota centre for further information on theft deterrence.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      3. Could you tell me which generation is my Prius. It’s presumably 2018, with registration WM18***.

  10. My auris 2011 just got its cat stolen I was in a B&Q car park in Preston for less than 20 min and came out and it had gone obviously only found out when I started the car it’s ridiculous that these can be taken off your car in such a short time now I am left with a bill of around £800 to get a new one fitted

    Reply

    1. Hi Andrew,
      We are really sorry to hear that you have been affected by this crime.
      Please be aware we are constantly monitoring this situation and are doing all we can to support our customers that have been impacted by this horrible crime.
      We have also developed and are supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit to Toyota UK such as CatLocs, tilt alarms and bolt caps to protect consumers from further attacks.
      However, criminals are using high-grade power tools that are difficult for any manufacturer to completely protect against.
      Once again, we apologise about the distress that this crime has caused.
      Thanks.

      Reply

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