How to prevent catalytic converter theft

Catalytic converter thefts have risen by a staggering 100% in recent months, following a huge spate of incidents up and down the UK during summer.

If your vehicle has been a victim of catalytic converter theft, or you are worried about it being targeted, then you’ll want to know what measures you can put in place to help prevent it.

In this article, we address why catalytic converters are being stolen and how you can help protect your vehicle from theft. Read on to find out more... 

What is a catalytic converter?

A catalytic converter is a device fitted to an exhaust to control what’s being emitted. It converts harmful gases from the exhaust into less-toxic pollutants through a catalysing process, to help clean your car’s emissions. 

There are thousands of different types of catalytic converters produced which are fitted to all different types of vehicles, including; petrol, diesel and hybrid. Any car with an internal combustion engine requires a catalytic converter as part of the exhaust system. The only car without a catalytic converter is a purely electric vehicle. 

Why are catalytic converters being stolen?

Catalytic converters contain precious metals which are used to catalyse the harmful gases produced by engine exhausts. The price of metals such as palladium and rhodium have skyrocketed in value, making them more sought after than ever before. 

Located underneath a car in a box on the exhaust pipe, catalytic converters are often easily accessible to tempted thieves. The process of removing one is fairly simple, but a noisy angle grinder will often be used which certainly runs the risk of alerting a household and neighbouring properties. 

How much is a catalytic converter worth?

On the black market, catalytic converters readily sell in the region of £500. However, the replacement catalytic converter can cost a vehicle owner anywhere from £150 to over £1,000 depending on the make and model of vehicle.

It is usually older vehicles that are targeted for their catalytic converters as these tend to contain larger amounts of precious metals. Manufacturers are now ensuring catalytic converters on new cars have lesser volumes of valuable metals included. 

How can you prevent catalytic converter theft?

Be vigilant! If there’s been a succession of catalytic converter thefts in your area, then there are a number of measures you can take to help stop your car from being targeted:

1. Most catalytic converters will be marked with a serial number, so it’s worth checking yours and ensuring that it can be identified.
2. Display a sticker in your car window to communicate that your catalytic converter is serial marked.
3. Purchase a protective cover that can be securely fastened over the catalytic converter, making it harder for thieves to access.
4. If your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask your local garage to weld them together, making it more difficult to remove.
5. Install security cameras outside of your property to keep an eye on your vehicle and deter potential thieves. 
6. Make sure your vehicle is securely alarmed so that you’ll be alerted if thieves try to target your vehicle.
7. Think about where you park. Make sure the underneath of your car is less accessible by parking close to walls or fences. 
8. Park in well lit, pedestrianised areas that are more likely to have public CCTV.

What do you do if your catalytic converter has been stolen?

If you are a victim of catalytic converter theft, you’ll need to call the police to report the crime straightaway. Secondly, contact your insurance provider who will raise a claim and advise you what to do next. 

Lastly, remember to speak to your local garage too, as they will be able to assess if any other damage has been caused.