Published 16 August 2024
Helpful tips to avoid catalytic converter theft
What does a catalytic converter do?
By converting your car’s exhaust fumes into less harmful emissions, a catalytic converter uses catalysts to reduce the amount of air pollution released by your petrol or diesel engine.
Does my car have a catalytic converter?
Look under your car. If you have a catalytic converter, you’ll find it between the engine and your exhaust. You should also be able to find out by doing a quick search online for your car’s make, model and year of production.
What kind of car has a catalytic converter?
If your car has a petrol or diesel engine then it will have been fitted with a catalytic converter. If you drive a fully electric vehicle (EV) then you won’t have a catalytic converter – since this type of car has zero emissions, it doesn’t need one!
Why would anyone steal a catalytic converter?
The reason thieves are so keen on catalytic converters is that they contain precious metals and can be swiped in under 60 seconds. In other words, these highly valuable items represent minimal effort for a quick, lucrative reward.
What’s a catalytic converter made from?
Catalytic converters contain materials - such as palladium, platinum and, in particular, rhodium - whose value has been increasing rapidly.
"If your catalytic convertor’s stolen, you might not notice until you start the engine. Without it, your car will be much louder, so listen out for an obvious and unpleasant noise. The engine light may also appear on your dashboard.
Unfortunately, your vehicle will suffer performance problems too. The catalytic convertor is part of the exhaust system that reduces harmful emissions. Without it, the engine runs poorly and loses power. In fact, your car would fail its MOT without a catalytic converter and driving without one is illegal in the UK – you could even be fined for not meeting emissions standards."
Michael Golding – Motor Network Manager
Have I been targeted by catalytic converter thieves?
It’s not hard to spot if you’ve fallen victim to catalytic converter theft. Here are some of the signs to look out for:
A warning light on your display indicating engine issues
Your exhaust may be noticeably smoky and will most likely smell worse
An unpleasant roaring noise coming from your engine
Your engine may not be performing as well as it did
How can I stop my catalytic converter being stolen?
As with many things, when it comes to deterring the theft of your catalytic converter, prevention is key. Here are some helpful tips:
Avoid parking anywhere you could be more vulnerable to thieves. A locked garage is ideal but when that’s not an option, choose a busy, well-lit spot or, better yet, somewhere with CCTV.
Make it hard for catalytic converter crooks to get under your vehicle. Parking your car so that the exhaust is near an obstruction, like a wall or a fence, can restrict access for potential thieves.
Get cameras fitted at home or a dashcam for your car to watch over it when you’re not around. You may also consider having a car alarm fitted, if you don’t have one already, or stickers for your car window to let criminals know they’re being recorded.
Basically, any form of deterrent, like cameras and alarms, could be enough to make a thief think twice about stealing your catalytic converter.
It’s no secret that catalytic converter theft has been on the rise, which is why you’ll find a number of specific devices available to make it harder to steal them.
For catalytic converters that have been bolted on, your garage could weld the bolts for you to give thieves an extra headache. So-called ‘cat cages’ are another option that can surround your converter and deter theft.
If you register your catalytic converter, you’ll be able to trace it in the event of a theft. Get it marked forensically or ask your garage to add a serial number.
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