Replacement catalytic converters for Toyota Prius models typically cost between $2,142 and $2,174. While parts are priced between $2,036 and $2,040, labor costs are predicted to range between $106 and $134. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account.
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What is the scrap value of a Prius catalytic converter?
The findings of the Highway Loss Data Institute, according to the researchers, were not based on particular parts that were reported stolen in insurance claims and are not included in the institute’s database, but rather on the consistency of the dollar value of the typical claim during the high-theft years, which ranged from $2,500 to $3,000 and represented the typical cost to replace the catalytic converter and exhaust system.
It is also difficult to identify stolen catalytic converters because they are not branded with vehicle identifying numbers.
Globally, the issue of stolen parts being exchanged for valuable metals exists. Prior to reaching their new owners, used automobiles, mostly from the United States, the European Union, and Japan, are frequently stripped of their catalytic converters and sold on the black market, adding to problems with the environment, public health, and safety.
The survey noted that not just older cars are vulnerable to theft. The newest catalytic converters “need more of the expensive metals due to the recent tightening of automobile emissions requirements.
Why are catalytic converters for Toyota Prius so expensive?
Stealing catalytic converters off a Toyota Prius is profitable, as is the case with the majority of auto-related crimes. Prices for catalytic converters are high because the precious metals required to produce chemical reactions are costly.
Catalytic converter thefts have been steadily increasing over the past few years, and this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Since the Toyota Prius is a hybrid, it needs to be as green as possible. Because of this, the Prius has some of the greatest catalytic converters ever put into a commercial vehicle.
Due to how little their converters corrode, hybrid vehicles are primarily targeted for their converters. More money can be made by thieves through unlawful trading the better that precious metal coating is maintained.
The price of rhodium, which is frequently used in hybrid catalytic converters, has soared in recent years and now stands at $14,000 per ounce. It is understandable why stealing catalytic converters might appeal to someone trying to make quick money.
Unfortunately for Prius owners, replacing a stolen catalytic converter isn’t inexpensive. Costs for locating and installing a replacement catalytic converter range from $2,700 to $4,100. In addition to the converter needing to be replaced, the sawing-out damage also needs to be fixed.
How much is a catalytic converter for a 2008 Toyota Prius worth?
For your 2008 Toyota Prius, we now offer 6 Catalytic Converter items, with prices ranging from $215.99 to $773.99 in our inventory. For the 2008 Toyota Prius, Advance Auto Parts provides 2 distinct reliable brands of catalytic converters in addition to reasonable costs.
I don’t have a catalytic converter, can I still drive a Prius?
Oh, no! That breaks my heart, dear. The worst are thieves. Although it is possible to operate a Prius without a catalytic converter, this is not a recommended long-term option. You won’t get as much out of your Prius, and it won’t pass an emissions test.
What to do if a catalytic converter is stolen is as follows:
- Make a police report and contact the police.
- You can drive the automobile there if you bring it to a repair shop!
If your catalytic converter is not replaced, you can anticipate
- obnoxious engine noise
- driving recklessly and accelerating suddenly
- unsuccessful emissions tests
Hopefully, this was useful. I’m so sorry you fell victim to theft, but I hope you can obtain some assistance with the cost of your replacement catalytic converter!
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The most popular vehicles for catalytic converter theft are what cars?
Despite the fact that thefts of catalytic converters are frequently crimes of opportunity, many criminals target particular vehicles because of the cost of the catalytic converter, the prevalence of the vehicles, and the ease with which the catalytic converter may be accessed.
CARFAX discovered that the following automobiles are the most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft by consulting their partner repair facilities:
These are merely the models, though, whose catalytic converters are stolen most frequently. Depending on a few additional conditions, your car may also be vulnerable to catalytic converter theft. Here is an example of the car kinds that are even more vulnerable to catalytic converter theft:
Luxury vehicles
With a staggering price tag of $3,770 per unit, the Ferrari F430 wins the Most Valuable Catalytic Converter Award. Given that the F430 has two converters, they make for a sizable target for thieves.
Catalytic converters for Lamborghinis are likewise exceedingly expensive, costing on average $3,000 each.
Hybrid vehicles
The catalytic converter of a car tends to be more valued the more emission-friendly the vehicle is. The entire cost of these automobiles rises because they require more of the pricey metal palladium.
Older vehicles
Catalytic converters in larger, older automobiles are more valuable than those in newer, more efficient vehicles because to their concentration of valuable metals and general lack of environmental friendliness.
SUVs and trucks
Two factors influence the targeting of larger vehicles and SUVs. First off, a bigger engine translates into a more expensive catalytic converter. For instance, at a startling $2,000, the catalytic converters on the Dodge Ram 2500 are almost as valuable as those on Ferraris.
Second, their height from the ground makes it simpler for thieves to steal their converters.
Other models with valuable catalytic converters
Of course, there are vehicles that don’t fit into any one category but feature catalytic converters that are more useful for a variety of reasons.
Which vehicle has the most stolen catalytic converters?
When it comes to catalytic converter theft, the Toyota Prius, particularly the second-generation model built from 2004 to 2009, is particularly alluring. This is partially explained by the fact that the internal combustion engine of the gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain doesn’t operate as hotly as it would if the powertrain’s accompanying electric motors weren’t present. Ironically, given its reputation for being environmentally benign, this meant that more precious metals were required in the catalytic converters used to purify the cooled exhaust of the Prius (this was lessened in the third-generation model). According to NICB, hybrid cars like the Prius exert less strain on its catalytic converters, thus even after many years of use, these cars’ cats are still extremely valuable.
10. Chrysler 200, 20112017
The Chrysler 200, which replaced the infamous Sebring, represented a substantial improvement in terms of appearance, comfort inside, and performance. Although we gave the 200 credit for being well-designed, we weren’t overly impressed by every aspect of it, including the sporadic cabin quality and uneven steering effort “moving in the appropriate direction. Although the 2015 model of the 200 featured a more contemporary design and features, it also signaled the end of the car’s convertible body style. After the 2017 model year, the 200 car was discontinued, although catalytic converter thieves continue to be fond of it.
8.5. Toyota Camry, 19872019
A mid-size automobile with a solid reputation for dependability is the Toyota Camry. The Camry has been available in sedan, coupe, wagon, and even convertible body styles over the years (that last dubbed the Camry Solara). Driving excitement, however, is not a characteristic that the Camry is known for. However, as this popular Toyota sedan takes the eighth place in the country on this list, it appears to attract criminals trying to steal a catalytic converter.
7. Honda CR-V, 19972020
When the Honda CR-V debuted for the 1997 model year, it contributed to the development of the compact crossover SUV. Despite the nameplate’s 25-year existence, the CR-V, one of today’s best-selling SUVs, continues to enjoy popularity with the general public. If only the CR-V could maintain its client base as long as it has maintained its catalytic converters. Unfortunately, thieves adore the CR-V for its relatively simple to snag cat. The greatest advice is frequently the simplest: park your car in a reliable, secure spot. There are certain accessories worth looking into that either help cover a car’s catalytic converter or bolt it more firmly to a vehicle (both with the purpose of deterring theft).
6. Chevrolet Equinox (20052021)
When we first tested the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, it was a brand-new vehicle, and we dubbed it “a fantastically sociable tall car with a solid list of standard features at a tempting price. The five-passenger Equinox from Chevy has seen numerous iterations over the years, with the most recent version enhancing its predecessor’s most user-friendly features. It appears that the Equinox has won over admirers beyond those looking for a large and affordable small SUV. The Chevy has the unfortunate distinction of being listed in this list’s sixth spot, one spot ahead of one of its fiercest competitors in the compact SUV sector.
5. Chevrolet Silverado 19992021
Pickup trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado are excellent for transporting and towing as well as navigating rough terrain. Similar to other pickups on this list, the Silverado’s additional ground clearance and freedom to go anywhere make it simpler for thieves to crawl beneath this full-size pickup and take its catalytic converter. The long-running Chevrolet C/K truck series was succeeded by the recently debuted Silverado for 1999. The Silverado has been offered with a variety of four-cylinder, inline-six, V-6, and V-8 engines over the years. The choice is excellent for truck buyers. Those that steal catalytic converters find it just as alluring.
4. Ford Econoline/E-Series, 19902022.
Call it a sensible workhorse that keeps taking on challenging duties or the work van that time forgot. Since Kennedy occupied the White House, the Ford E-series van, often known as the Econoline, has existed in some form or another. It is still available, but only in cutaway chassis form for fleet use and in E-350 or E-450 versions. In relation to cutaways, how much is a stolen catalytic converter actually worth? According to the NICB, a typical catalytic converter might sell for anything between “$100 to $500 per item. That might not seem like much, but keep in mind that it only takes a quick thief a few minutes to steal one, and that a hard day’s work stealing catalytic converters can net the burglar thousands of dollars in unjust profit.
3. Jeep Patriot 20072017
The Jeep Patriot was never recognized for its straight-line speed and was only offered with four-cylinder engine options that produced very little power. While we have declared it “Despite not being a joyride, many customers found the Patriot’s traditional upright Jeep design and affordable price to be appealing. Unfortunately, the Patriot takes the third rank on this list of vehicles targeted across the country for its catalytic converters, proving that the small Jeep’s catalytic converters are an appealing piece for thieves.
2.2 Honda Accord, 19892020
An similarly well-liked car follows a very popular pickup truck. The Honda Accord has consistently won our annual 10Best Cars and Trucks honors and has been one of the best-selling mid-size cars for decades. While we frequently praise the Accord for its responsive handling and fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, criminals are more grateful for the fact that taking a catalytic converter only requires a small reciprocating saw and only takes a few minutes.
Ford F-series from 1985 to 2021
It shouldn’t be surprising that the most popular car in North America is also the one that catalytic converter thieves most frequently target. There are a lot of Ford F-series pickup trucks parked in driveways and garages around the nation because there are millions of them on the road. The F-series is frequently targeted for strictly practical reasons, including the fact that it rides higher off the ground than the average car. The catalytic converter can now be removed from an F-series vehicle more quickly and easily by sliding under the vehicle.
10. 20012021 Subaru Prius
There are several anti-theft systems on the market, depending on the kind of vehicle you drive.
How do burglars gain access to a Prius’ catalytic converter?
Catalytic converters must be removed by thieves from below the car. Typically, they will cut through the connecting exhaust pipes with a small, battery-powered saw, separating the part from the automobile in a matter of minutes. You may have observed that a Prius doesn’t have a particularly high seat.
From which model year Prius are they stealing the catalytic converters?
Older Prius catalytic converters fetch significant values on the scrap market.
According to a recent research from the Highway Loss Data Institute, a rise in the price of precious metals has rendered Toyota Prius vehicles that are more than ten years old a less likely target for thieves.
For Prius vehicles from 2004 to 2009, the incidence of theft claims increased by more than 40 times between 2016 and 2020, according to HLDI analysts. The Prius is being targeted since it is a hybrid vehicle and has valuable metals in its catalytic converter. Due to the fact that hybrids’ combustion engines only operate seldom, their catalytic converters require more precious metals to function properly because they don’t become as hot as those found on traditional automobiles.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts increased from around 100 per month in 2018 to more than 1,200 per month in 2020 as a result of greater pricing for platinum, rhodium, palladium, and other metals present in the components. Even though thieves target different types of automobiles, the catalytic converters from some models fetch greater prices from the recyclers that process them because they include more of the expensive metals.
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. Overall theft losses for those Prius cars rose from $3 in 2016 to around $137 per insured vehicle year in 2020, according to HLDI, a more than 45-fold increase. In comparison, the frequency of theft claims for all other 20042009 automobiles barely changed between 2016 and 2020, and total losses stayed at around $7. (An insured vehicle year is a common industry measurement; it equals one insured vehicle for a year, two insured cars for six months, and so on.)
“According to Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI, auto thieves are aware of their market. “They appear to be aware of which catalytic converters, such those on the older Priuses, command the greatest prices because there is a high demand for them.
The HLDI database does not contain data on the particular component that was reported stolen in insurance claims, although the average claim’s monetary amount offers some hints. There was an increase in claims in the $2,501 to $3,000 range during the high-theft years of 201920. (about the amount needed to replace the catalytic converter and exhaust system, minus the deductible). Most claims for the calendar years 201617 were for losses under $500 or between $1,501 and $2,500.
Only marginal increases in claim frequency and overall theft losses were observed in newer Prius vehicles from 2010 to 2015. Only 1.3 claims per 1,000 covered vehicle years were made for 20102015 models in calendar year 2020, up from 0.8 in 2016. Similarly, overall theft losses for 201015 models in 2020 were $5, up from $3 in 2016.
Catalytic converters must be processed using complex machinery, however with the rise in the price of some metals, bulk scrap purchasers have exploded. Most states forbid cash purchases over a particular amount, and all but a few require buyers to record the seller’s driver’s license number or other legal identification. However, once stolen parts have been sold as scrap, it might be difficult to identify them because catalytic converters are not stamped with vehicle identifying numbers.
Due to decreased mining output in recent years, which was a trend that was worsened by the epidemic, metal prices have skyrocketed. The most modern catalytic converters need more of the pricey metals due to the recently tightened pollution rules.