In May 2021, Toyota announced plans to covertly mark more than 100,000 catalytic converters with SmartWater forensic protection as part of a campaign to combat theft. The application of SmartWater is a quick, free and simple process which can be carried out by your local Toyota centre.
Although you can contact your Toyota centre to arrange a visit, existing Toyota customers can have SmartWater forensic protection applied to their cars free of charge at their next scheduled visit.
What is the point of SmartWater forensic protection?
In the first instance, forensically marking catalytic converters this way serves as a valuable deterrent against would-be thieves. Additionally, should the catalytic converter be stolen, it enables the police to trace back the stolen item and link it to a specific crime. It also raises the risk to all those handling the devices along the criminal chain, from theft to eventual disposal and recycling.
Toyota has worked with police and SmartWater to develop the initial batch of kits. Earlier this year, 20,000 kits have been supplied to police forces to support their local anti-catalyst theft initiatives. We are also working with the AA, our road-side partner, so its patrols can point customers to where they can get a free kit.
How will the product be applied to my Toyota?
1 Registration
The first step is registering the product on a national database. Vehicle registration and basic customer details are all that is required to link the unique code within each SmartWater forensic protection product to your vehicle.
2 Inspection
The Toyota technician working on your vehicle will ensure the ignition is off and the components under the car have cooled. Then they will clean the area where the SmartWater forensic protection is going to be applied.
3 Application
Application of the SmartWater forensic protection could not be easier. The product is contained within a tube and the lid contains a small applicator brush. Your Toyota technician will apply the product to your car’s catalytic converter. Once the SmartWater is dry, it is invisible to the naked eye and is guaranteed to last for 5 years.
4 Awareness
The SmartWater kit includes stickers stating that the exhaust system is forensically protected, as a deterrent to would-be thieves. Your technician can apply these stickers to your car. The suggested placement is on the rear bumper just above the exhaust pipe and on the windows.
British Transport Police Superintendent and metal crime lead, Mark Cleland, said: “Thanks to our joint working with SmartWater, Toyota and other industry partners, and the drive by enforcement partners across the UK, we have made a real impact in tackling metal and catalytic converter crime.
“While arrests continue to be made, it is the preventative approach through the forensic marking of catalytic converters that gives motorists the opportunity to protect their property and stop the crime in the first place.”
So, to take advantage of this free of charge service and the added protection for your vehicle against Catalytic Converter theft, please contact your local Toyota Centre who can arrange for the forensic marking to be applied.
Why were we not advised of this at our recent service?????
Hi Janet,
We are sorry to hear that this was not advised to you.
However, the application of SmartWater is a quick, free and simple process which can be carried out by your local Toyota centre at a time that is convenient to you.
Thanks.
I’ve just this weekend collected a brand new Prius and surprised that this hadn’t already been done before I picked it up.
I guess I’ll have to ask the dealer about it next week
I had my Auris service on the 18th of December 2021. I told the service staff for the forensic marking as I have received a letter from Toyota. When I picked up the car after service and came home. I did not see any kind of Smartwater sticker on my car. Then I called the Toyota Sheffield. They replied that they have done the forensic marking even though there is no sticker and user name and logon to check the details. She told me that I can collect the sticker on Monday. I am not quite sure if it is done or not?
Hi there,
Thanks for your comment.
We are sure that your Toyota Centre have applied the Smartwater Marking if they say they have.
May we also confirm what user name and log-in you are referring to?
Thanks.
I have been told that when they apply this forensic marking then I receive details from Toyota to check whether I am registered on national database of smartwater. I never received any details to confirm that.
Hi, thanks for your comment.
Please get in touch with your local Toyota Centre who carried out this work. They should have provided you with the code relating to the forensic liquid placed on your vehicle.
Thanks.
Have just had this put on my car. I asked the dealer about some form of code and was told it wasn’t given out. Exactly what should I receive?
Hi Andrew,
Our Customer Relations Team would be best placed to investigate this query for you.
You can contact them here here – https://fal.cn/3lnvs
Thanks.
Does this apply to Lexus cars as well? Please could could some one let us know? I have already lost my cat conv to thieves and do not want it to happen again. Thanks.
Hi Anjum,
Thanks for your comment.
Please contact your Lexus Centre to see what options are available for you.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hi can I do this in my Lexus
Hello Robert, thanks for your comment.
Yes, Lexus Hybrid customers can also benefit from this service. Please get in touch with your local Lexus Centre.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
Asked about this at my Toyota dealer in Belfast and they didn’t even know about it
Hi Lynne,
Sorry to hear that. This was communicated to our retail network partners at the end of October last year. We are surprised that they haven’t heard about it before.
If you’re unhappy with their service, we recommend contacting our customer relations team here:
https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us
Thanks
Such a shame I’d not heard of this before … my catalytic converter was stolen last week and it’s been an absolute nightmare! I was told by my Toyota garage that it should have been anti theft already … I am reading a lot of “it should have beens” in this chat thread … I have been so happy with my Toyota and the service up til now but unfortunately this recent incident has really put me off the thought of continuing with Toyota in the future … while not life threatening, it has been so distressing and caused havoc – my car is my livelihood as I rely on it for work. My neighbour’s was also stolen the same time as mine – there surely must be something more to prevent further theft of these converters in the future… what a sad world we’ve become where people just see what they want and take it with absolutely no thought for the people it affects around them … so selfish!! Rant over … and over to you Toyota to find a better way around this.
Hi Rose,
Thanks for your comment.
We are very sorry to hear about this recent experience, we understand this can be very distressing.
Any car fitted with a catalytic converter can be targeted and criminals have been targeting older Toyota hybrids due to the high content of precious metals within the catalytic converter.
As our combustion engines have become cleaner and our hybrid systems have become more efficient, we have reduced the precious metal content by up to 84%, meaning they are no more attractive to thieves than any other car.
However, ultimately it is very difficult to stop determined, organised criminal gangs using power tools from committing this crime.
We’d recommend reporting the crime to your local authorities and contacting your local Toyota Centre to see what protection is available for your vehicle.
Thank you.
I am having a catloc fitted at a toyota garage. Asked for a smart water to be applied but the garage was not going to this. Not sure why surely should be encouraging this
Hi Atul,
Thanks for your comment.
SmartWater Marking should be available for free from your nearest Toyota Centre.
Thanks.
Will the newly sold Toyota (eg Yaris Cross Icon) have Smartwater printed on Catalytic converter already? Or we have to request it explicitly before delivery?
Hi Ed, thanks for your comment.
You will need to request this service from your local Toyota Centre.
Thanks,
Toyota UK