The value of some precious metals like Palladium and Rhodium inside catalytic converters, which are used to purify exhaust fumes and reduce pollution, has significantly increased in recent years, which has led to an increase in catalytic converter theft.
Thieves slide under the vehicle and use cutting tools to cut the object free from the pipes surrounding it in order to take it. Modern gasoline, diesel, and hybrid vehicles are all equipped with catalytic converters.
Toyota will first give 50,000 kits in collaboration with the police and Smartwater, a company that makes police-approved marking kits. The markers, which are not visible to the human eye, allow authorities to link a stolen catalytic converter to a specific crime, assisting them in locating the organized gangs who committed it. Additionally, it is believed that the plan will cause burglars to pause before picking on a Toyota vehicle.
The labels are intended to deter and disrupt various portions of the theft chain, such as shady scrap metal dealers that are willing to pay cash for stolen converters, according to Toyota.
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Why are catalytic converter thieves targeting Toyota and Lexus vehicles?
In the case of Toyota and Lexus, thieves target older hybrid automobiles since the precious metals are in better condition because the catalytic converter in hybrids tends to have a lower workload than in a non-electrified vehicle. Because it is difficult to remove the device, the catalysts in more recent Toyota and Lexus vehicles are of a different design and are not frequently targeted.
All Toyota and Lexus owners are eligible for a free Smartwater marking; all they need to do is make an appointment with your neighborhood Toyota or Lexus dealer.
“We’re pleased to be starting this initiative, working closely with the police, not only to help them with their efforts to combat this crime but also to send a clear message to criminals that if they choose to target a Toyota or Lexus car there is now a far higher chance of getting caught,” said Rob Giles, director of customer services at Toyota.
“Catalytic converter theft is a very serious issue in the UK, and victims suffer emotional as well as material consequences.”
Are there catalytic converters in Yaris vehicles?
Catalytic converter replacement for a Toyota Yaris typically costs between $53 and $67. Estimated labor costs range from $53 to $67. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account.
Are there catalytic converters in Toyota hybrids?
Why choose the Prius above other vehicles? Catalytic converters for hybrid vehicles must contain more precious metals than those for gasoline-only vehicles. According to the HLDI, a 2007 Prius converter is currently retailing for around $1,022, whereas a 2007 Ford F-150 converter costs just $143.
Which automobiles are most susceptible to having their catalytic converters stolen?
Vehicles are equipped with converters to assist reduce air pollution. On the majority of automobiles, they have been mandated by the federal government since 1975.
Because the component contains valuable metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, thieves steal it. They either sell the stolen part for a high price or melt the metal.
According to a new list from CARFAX, the type of vehicle you drive may raise your risk of becoming a victim of theft.
According to the business that analyzes car history, these are the ten models that catalytic converter thieves in the U.S. target the most.
- Ford F-Series pickup trucks from 1985 to 2021
- Honda Accord 19892020
- Jeep Patriot, 20072017
- Ford Econoline vans from 1990 to 22
- Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks from 1999 to 2021
- Chevrolet Equinox 2005present
- Honda CR-V, 1997-2020
- Toyota Camry, 19872019
- Chrysler 200, 201117
- 2001present Toyota Prius
Models who are simple to crawl beneath undoubtedly make up a large portion of the list. According to CARFAX, hybrid vehicles use more precious metals in their catalytic converters, which increases their value. Vehicles like the Prius are on the list because of this.
What vehicles have the lowest risk of having their catalytic converters stolen?
The likelihood of a catalytic converter being stolen from a car is far lower if it is installed in the engine compartment. Catalysts are often less valuable for many American and some Asian auto companies. You can also purchase a car that is older, electric, diesel, or without a catalytic converter.
Certain Brand Cars
Due to the lower value of their catalytic converters, American brands like Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler are less likely to be stolen. This group includes several Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, and Subaru cars.
Many brands employed cat-inspired designs that constrained the amount of precious metals present. The majority of thieves conduct adequate research to know to avoid using these brands.
Cars with Converters in the Engine Compartment
Instead of being further back on the vehicle’s exhaust system, the catalytic converter is often positioned in the engine compartment of some vehicles. It is significantly more challenging for a burglar to take it because of this design.
Theft will move on to a different model since no one wants to put in the extra effort to get to these kitties. This category includes numerous automobiles, including those made by Audi, BMW, Honda, and Volkswagen.
Cars Built Before 1974
You don’t have to be concerned about catalytic converter theft if your car was made before 1974. None of these cars are equipped with catalytic converters.
Following that, the authorities started cleaning up the pollution. Therefore, having a catalytic converter was required for all automobiles.
Electric Cars
Catalytic converters reduce the emissions from gasoline or diesel fuel. As a result, vehicles that run on electricity do not have catalytic converters.
There is nothing to clean because the car isn’t generating gaseous waste. There will be no use of gas or diesel power while the battery is charged by plugging into a power source. Popular options include the Tesla Model S, Volkswagen e-gold, and Audi E-Tron.
Diesel Vehicles
Compared to gasoline-powered automobiles, diesel vehicles employ a different kind of catalytic converter. The majority of converter burglars are aware that these aren’t as valuable as gas catalytic converters.
In most cases, rhodium, palladium, or platinum are not used in the construction of diesel converters or so-called particle filters. Thieves frequently abandon the diesel vehicle because they are after these rich metals instead.
Is it simple to steal a Toyota Yaris’ catalytic converter?
Toyota (GB) declared in May 2021 that it will surreptitiously mark more than 100,000 catalytic converters to deter theft. By collaborating with law enforcement and Smartwater, catalytic converters can be marked with an undetectable yet traceable marking, enabling police to link a stolen catalytic converter to a specific crime and aid organized gangs in their attempts to commit that crime. All people handling the gadgets along the criminal supply chain, from theft to final destruction and recycling, are likewise put at greater risk.
The catalytic converter marking service is free; clients only need to make an appointment by calling their neighborhood Toyota or Lexus dealer.
Toyota has also provided 20,000 Smartwater kits to local law enforcement to aid in their anti-catalyst theft campaigns. In order for its patrols to direct consumers to locations where they may receive a free kit, the business is also collaborating with Toyota’s roadside partner, the AA.
We have also created the “Catloc” gadget, which can hinder theft and make it more difficult, and decreased the cost of it. Toyota teams are actively investigating new technical options to dissuade crooks in the UK and other nations.
We are collaborating with the police and the administration to modify the rules regarding the selling of scrap metal in order to make it more difficult for criminals to sell stolen catalysts for money.
However, since these are illegal activities, our options are constrained. Several police departments are taking action, and other departments, like Nottinghamshire, are also launching awareness campaigns. Anyone who is a victim of this crime must immediately report it to their local police force. This is crucial.
The latest generations of Toyota catalytic converters contain significantly less precious metals than earlier generations while performing their functions just as well or even better; as a result, their value for recycling is extremely low and they are not attractive to thieves. As a result, older cars continue to be targeted.
Does a Catloc give my car 100% protection from thieves?
Awfully, no. It can make theft more challenging, but since thieves are utilizing powerful cutting equipment to remove catalytic converters, it is impossible to make them “unstealable.” A Catloc slows down criminals and serves as a deterrent by making it more difficult to steal a catalytic converter. As previously said, we are making every effort to look for other technological choices for customers.
How can I prevent the theft of my car’s catalytic converter?
Three measures to prevent the theft of catalytic converters
- 1) Write the number from your license plate onto the catalytic converter. Law enforcement can identify the part because of this.
- 2) Park in locations that are well-lit.
- 3) Set up a theft prevention system.
Why are catalytic converters for Toyotas stolen?
According to a recent study by the Highway Loss Data Institute, theft claim frequency for Toyota Prius cars from 2004 to 2009 was astonishingly 40 times greater in 2020 than in 2016 because of the valuable metals included in its catalytic converter (HLDI).
Thefts of catalytic converters have been rising across the country, going from about 100 per month in 2018 to more than 1,200 per month in 2020. This is due to the fact that recyclers are now willing to pay thieves more for the platinum, rhodium, palladium, and other metals found in the components.
Due to decreased mining output in recent years, which was a trend that was worsened by the epidemic, metal prices have skyrocketed.
Prius is currently being targeted because hybrid vehicles’ catalytic converters require more precious metals to function correctly because they don’t heat up as much as those found on traditional automobiles because their combustion engines only operate occasionally. To put it another way, Prius models provide burglars with a larger haul of precious metals.
Prius fleet owners should be aware of some specific statistics from the HLDI report.
The increase in claim frequency is notable, to begin with. In 2020, there were 58.1 theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years for Toyota Prius cars from 2004 to 2009, up from 1.4 claims in 2016. A more than 45-fold rise from $3 in 2016 to approximately $137 per insured vehicle per year in total stolen losses for those Prius vehicles in 2020. In comparison, the frequency of theft claims for all other 20042009 automobiles barely changed between 2016 and 2020, and total losses stayed around $7.
The analysis looks into pricing as well. Older Prius catalytic converters fetch a pretty price, and thieves appear to be aware of this and taking advantage of the trend.
Now compare those figures to the converter employed from 1999 to 2006 in General Motors automobiles like the Chevrolet Impala and Pontiac Grand Am. The converter used in the 2007 Ford F-150 FX4 was only $143, but they were valued at $269.
The bottom line: Compared to newer Prius models and practically any other vehicles on the market, older Prius models command top pay when it comes to selling catalytic converters to recyclers who reprocess them.
Catalytic converter theft is a persistent problem. 1,298 thefts of catalytic converters were reported in 2018, while 3,389 thefts were reported in 2019. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that reported catalytic converter thefts increased significantly to 14,433 in 2020.
Is the theft of catalytic converters aimed at hybrid vehicles?
Your catalytic converters are in high demand from thieves. According to the most recent data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau as reported by Carfax, claims of catalytic converter theft climbed by more than 1,200 percent between 2019 and 2021.
Compared to 3,969 thefts in 2019, there were 52,206 reported catalytic converter thefts in 2021. Since owners might not report the theft to their insurance provider, the figure could be larger. In any case, the startling increase implies that both new and used cars are at risk, and owners may be responsible for repairs and replacements that cost between $1,000 and $3,000, according to the NICB.
The pollution-controlling device, which has been required for the majority of passenger cars since 1975, resembles a little muffler and is installed in the middle of the exhaust system between the two axles. Thieves can easily gain access to it because it is beneath the car by sliding underneath it and cutting the exhaust pipe at either end.
Other than the fact that they are good for the environment, what makes catalytic converters so special? the priceless metals need to create them.
The sharp increase in catalytic converter thefts is a result of the soaring prices of platinum, palladium, and rhodium. According to Carfax, thieves may earn anything from $300 on regular cats to $1,400 on hybrid ones.
The number of thefts of these gadgets increases along with the price of precious metals, according to a statement from the NICB. Crisis situations, a lack of resources, and disruptions in the supply chain are all clearly related to these thefts.
Compared to other vehicles, some are superior targets. Given how common the models are in driveways and on streets, it should come as no surprise that the most popular automobiles are those that are most negatively impacted. Carfax analyzed service data from more than 60,000 service facilities across the US to determine the most prevalent thefts both nationally and by area.
The Toyota Prius hybrid had more thefts in the west region, proving that location matters, even if the most popular Ford F-150 had the largest number of cat thefts worldwide and in three of the four regions.
It did not specify the precise number of models impacted, but it did rank the vehicles according to volume:
Are stolen catalytic converters covered by insurance?
Is insurance coverage available for a stolen catalytic converter? Theft of a catalytic converter is normally covered if you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy. Catalytic converter replacement and related damage repair are frequently covered under comprehensive insurance.
Is my car equipped with a catalytic converter?
The best approach to find out if your car has a catalytic converter is to google the model.
Due to the higher precious metal content of their catalytic converters, hybrid vehicles are frequently targeted by thieves.
Among the most vulnerable are the Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris, and Lexus RX.
Concerning this, Toyota stated: “We’re making every effort. In addition to developing and lowering the cost of a “Catloc” device that can discourage theft and make it more challenging, we have also shared police advice with our customers. Toyota teams are actively investigating new technical options to dissuade crooks in the UK and other nations.
Admiral’s head of claims, Lorna Connelly, stated to This is Money: “Older model vehicles are frequently the targets, maybe as a result of the increased precious metal content of their catalytic converters. Unfortunately, these cars might need to be written off if the damage is too serious.