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.
Hi Support
Please can you check Rav4 reg. WO17 HYS which I own. Is this potentially at risk of Catalytic Converter being stolen? At what price does catloc comes to fit ?
Thanks
Hi Ravi, thanks for your comment.
Your RAV4 is not deemed as a high risk model for catalytic converter theft and therefore a Catloc is not available. However, you can benefit from free of charge Smartwater forensic marking which your local Toyota Centre can carry out for you.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
We had a catalytic converter stolen off our RAV4 hybrid (2021 plate) yesterday so I am afraid that the company view is sadly misleading. Funny they dont mention having the smartwater applied when you buy an at risk car from them!!
Hi John,
We are really sorry to hear that you’ve been affected by this crime.
Technically, any vehicle fitted with a Catalytic Converter is at risk of theft.
This crime is being perpetrated by organised criminal gangs using power tools. However, we are working with the police and various other agencies to put a stop to it.
Please contact our Customer Relations Team if you would like to discuss this further.
You can contact them here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Many thanks.
Hiya, I own Toyota -CHR bought in 2018. Is it potentially at a risk for catalytic converter to be stolen for this model?
Hi Smaira,
Thanks for your question.
Technically, any vehicle fitted with a Catalytic Converter is at risk of theft.
However, this vehicle is deemed low-risk.
Please contact your Toyota Centre to find out about which protective measures are available.
Thanks.
Hi, I’m buying this Toyota Yaris T4 Hybrid Cvt 2013 , Reg LO13EJG. Is this a high risk model?
Thanks.
Hi Felita,
Thanks for your question.
Technically, any vehicle fitted with a Catalytic Converter is at risk of theft.
However, this is considered a low-risk vehicle.
Please get in touch with your Toyota Centre for information on which protective measures are available for this vehicle.
Thanks.
I own a Toyota Yaris Hybrid 2018, (MT68***), is this a ‘vehicle at risk’ regarding Catalytic Converter theft ?
Hi Ian,
Thanks for your question.
Technically, any car fitted with a Catalytic Converter is at risk of theft.
Howevever, this car is deemed a low-risk vehicle.
Please contact your Toyota Centre to find out which protective measures are available.
Thanks.
Hi, I assume my 2017 Prius is at low risk and I have had the smart water treatment carried out. However, I would be interested in having a “Catloc” fitted if one is available for my model, which I think is 4th.generation. Could you tell me if one is available and how much it would cost to have fitted? Thank you.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your question.
Please may you provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can assist you with this query.
Thanks.
We recently had our catalytic converter stolen from our Toyota Auris Hybrid. It has taken 6 weeks for the garage to get the part in to be able to fix it – in the meantime we have been with out a car.
Now we will pay an excess to get it fixed. This does not even begin to explain how much it has impacted our lives – financially and mentally.
What are Toyota going to do to stop this from happening again once it’s fixed? Will we spend the rest of the time we have the car constantly in fear of the catalytic converter getting stolen again?
If the catloc does not stop it getting stolen again, what other solutions can you suggest?
Hi,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We’re really sorry to hear that you’ve been affected by this crime and the inconvenience this has caused.
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 engaged with the Home Office, Local MPs, the Met Police and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims), who is also the National Lead for Vehicle Crime.
This will raise the profile of the crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.
As catalytic converters contain precious metals, any car containing one is in theory at risk of theft.
Over time, we have reduced the precious metal content of our catalytic converters by up to 84% and currently produce CatLocs for vehicles considered most at risk, but criminals are using high-grade power tools that are difficult for any manufacturer to completely protect against.
Once again, we are sorry that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves and for the distress that this crime has caused.
If you would like to raise your situation further, we would recommend contacting our Customer Relations team directly.
You can do so here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
I’ve also just had my cat stolen, a 63 plate auris hybrid estate. It was stolen during the day in an NCP car park under full view of anyone and possibly some cameras. I’m now no doubt looking at a massive excess bill that I can’t afford, no car for weeks and an insurance premium hike next year that will probably mean I have to sell the car. Unbelievable
Hi John,
Thanks for contacting us.
We are really sorry to hear that you’ve been affected by this horrible 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. We have also developed and are supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit to Toyota UK such as CatLocs, tilt alarms, bolt caps and component etching to protect consumers from further attacks.
Organised criminal gangs have been targeting some of our older hybrid models due to the higher amount of precious metals within the catalytic converter. These materials were fitted to make the catalytic converter more efficient at removing harmful emissions, making the car cleaner. There was no way we could have envisaged the value of these materials rising so high in the last few years. As our hybrid systems have become more efficient our newer models have much reduced precious metal content in the catalytic converter, making them less attractive to thieves. This is a criminal issue, and we working with various agencies, including the Police, to try to put a stop to it
Once again, we are very sorry that this has happened to you and hope you are back on the road soon.
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Many thanks.
Me too. From a cinema car park. Seems hybrids are high risk
Hi Support, I own a Toyota C-hr Hybrid 2019. Is this potentially at risk of Catalytic Converter being stolen? Does any catloc comes to fit for C-hr needed? Thank you
Hi Penny,
Thanks for your question.
Technically, any vehicle fitted with a Catalytic Converter is at risk of theft.
However, this vehicle is deemed low-risk.
A CATLOC should be available for this vehicle.
Please contact your Toyota Centre to get this installed.
Thanks.
Do replacement cats contain original greater quantities of precious metals or are they too containing fewer valuable metals?
Hi,
Thanks for your comment.
Due to the vast nature of your question, we are unable to advise on this.
We would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre for assistance and information on specific parts.
Thanks.
I had the catalytic converter stolen from my Auris Touring Sports 2014 (WJ14 ZWX) seven weeks ago. I have been without a car for seven weeks, which has made my work life extremely stressful. The worst thing is having no idea how long this is going on for – another 7 weeks? If someone could just tell me if it will be fixed in a matter or days, weeks or months I could at least plan my next steps better. I’m now considering just dumping the car and buying a new one – an expense I really don’t need, it goes without saying. And the replacement won’t be a Toyota, based on the lack of help from my local dealer who won’t let me have a courtesy car even for a few days.
Hi Jim,
We’re sorry to hear you’ve been victim to this crime and this has left you without your car.
We apologise for the delay. To raise your concerns, the Customer Relations team can be contacted here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us
Thank you.