Catalytic converters are part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that reduces pollutants. It helps reduce vehicle pollution. How To Prevent Your Catalytic Converter From Being Stolen. Anyone having attempted the act would likely go back to stealing Gen 2 cats, as long as they remain widely available. He says one way to protect against future thefts is to install a special shield. Reader's Toyota Prius was targetted by thieves who stole the car's exhaust system. The catalytic converter is fitted on to the exhaust system so it is fairly accessible on most cars and vans. "The catalytic converter can be marked with a serial number to identify it and registered on sites such as Immobilise. Seven cars targeted for catalytic converters this weekend 13 Oct 2020. Some may even use a traditional, hand-operated hack saw. Catalytic converter theft has become popular because of the value of platinum and other precious metals in the parts. There’s nothing subtle about catalytic converter theft. Cars in in Bushey and Borehamwood targeted for catalytic converters. Sit in a car, and let somebody shoot directly at you from the outside with an AK-47. The only way you can steal this car is by towing it, which is one hell of a process and can attract a lot of attention. The Gen 2 is the easiest to steal. “Catalytic converters contain precious and valuable metals such as platinum and palladium and are generally easy to steal,” the warning states. Depending on what model vehicle you own and whether or not it's an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) part, a stolen catalytic converter can be sold for $100 or more.It's part of your vehicle's exhaust system and is located between the engine and the muffler, usually on the passenger side. Are some cars victim more often than others? Please report suspicious activity around vehicles. Thefts wreak havoc for car owners who are often disowned by their insurance company which makes it harder to get a reasonable premium elsewhere. Get your catalytic converter security marked for free as part of Operation Feline. How Do Thieves Steal Catalytic Converters? Catalytic converters are often targeted by thieves because of the precious metals they contain - such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. All you need is a reciprocating saw to cut through the metal, many of which can be found for under $100, and a car jack, depending on how elevated the car is. A Catalytic Converter is a part of the vehicles exhaust system. If I sell a used battery, I have to show ID and get a check in the mail. Video: How Easy is it to Steal a Catalytic Converter? Unfortunately, catalytic converter theft is common, and they can be costly to replace. Thieves take the stolen Catalytic Converters to metal recyclers. As part of the exhaust system, catalytic converters are left exposed beneath most cars. - Roseville, CA - Watch how quickly someone can cut through the exhaust pipe on a car while making almost no noise. This means thieves can simply slide under the car to remove them. “Just a minute or so under your car to cut out your converter can result in significant gains for a thief.” Toyota Priuses and Honda Accords are especially popular, as their catalytic converters tend to be worth more to thieves. Brazen thieves jack up parked car in the street and steal its catalytic converter in seconds - before giving the middle finger to an eyewitness. It takes anywhere from a few days to a week to replace and he has customers who returned because their catalytic converters were stolen twice. Increasing demand for stolen precious metals contained in vehicle catalytic converters has prompted two bills that would make thefts of catalytic converters a Class C … These can be stolen in seconds CAR theft crime is increasing in the UK with increasingly more vehicles being stolen cars the country. Car theft CRISIS: Is yours one of the easiest to steal? They are also relatively easy to steal and lack identifying information. Most catalytic converters sell for between $20 to $240 each. Thieves steal catalytic converters to sell for scrap metal. Catalytic converter theft is soaring across the country as criminals cash in on a boom in global precious metal prices. Calibrate your car's alarm to set off when it detects vibration. Catalytic converters often don’t get replaced just because they overheat or get clogged – they’re often stolen, especially on older versions of popular models such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry. This week I had the catalytic converter stolen out of my '07 Prius. By Rob Stumpf April 22, 2019 To steal the converter, thieves must access the box on the exhaust pipe. What does a catalytic converter do and why do people steal them? Catalytic converters contain valuable metals, like palladium, rhodium and platinum. Thieves can steal catalytic converters in minutes and will often return to a vehicle after a new one is fitted. Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters? How do you check if your car is secure from outside attack? 11 Impossible To Steal: Mercedes-Benz GL 550. via Autotalk. A vehicle’s exhaust pipe releases fumes | Getty. Secondly, the catalytic converters are relatively easy to steal. There is a preheat-er that is full of smelly, sticky and sometimes very hot coolant that will come down on the would be thief while he or she is under the car. Last year, there were almost 13,000 recorded thefts of the devices, with Londoners particularly badly hit. Consider engraving your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the catalytic converter — this may help alert a scrap dealer that it was stolen and make it easier to identify the owner. A catalytic converter is located in a box on the exhaust pipe under a car. Since the precious metals are hidden deep inside the cat, the easiest way is simply to cut the entire system out of the exhaust. Thefts of catalytic converters from cars parked on the street and in driveways are back on the rise, an insurer has warned. The Gen 3 and Gen 4, not so easy. And these four cars are being earmarked as prime targets. Catalytic Converters, along with copper and other metals, have become a hot commodity for thieves. A quick google search like, “1999 Honda Civic Catalytic converter location” should do the trick. And, what is a catalytic converter, anyway? Thefts of catalytic converters from cars in England and Wales rose sixfold in 2019. Why Thieves Are After Your Catalytic Converter. How Thieves Steal and Sell Catalytic Converters. "Protective coverings should be installed over the converter. How do thieves steal catalytic converters? That’s not bad money for a few minutes work. Have a mechanic weld the catalytic converter to your car’s frame, making it harder to steal. Catalytic Converter theft has become popular because of their value, relative ease to steal (unbolt or cut out), and their lack of identifying markings. Why is it so easy for the thieves to sell these things? A professional gang can jack up a car and use a battery-powered steel cutter or angle-grinder to steal the catalytic converter within five minutes. Be sure to indicate your car’s trim level, too. Thieves only need simple tools to steal your catalytic converter. If a thief sells a catalytic convert to a scrap yard, he will get approximately $200 for it. ). Caught in action in Stratford in the UK. Cats are part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that reduces burnt engine gasses and pollutants. Irish travelers and this is all Prius' at evening targeted. It only takes a saw and a few minutes to remove a catalytic converter. Watch These Thieves Steal a Catalytic Converter From a Toyota Prius in Broad Daylight Two men and a Sawzall slash the exhaust off in seconds. How are catalytic converters stolen? Thieves tend to target vehicles with easily accessible catalytic converters, such as pickup trucks and certain SUVs. Have the catalytic converter welded to your car's frame, which may make it harder to steal. First, confirm the catalytic converter’s location. Typically, they will use a battery-powered cut-off tool, such as an angle grinder, to separate the cat from the exhaust pipe. Fortunately, there are precautionary steps you can take to decrease the likelihood of having your catalytic converter stolen: Park in well-lit areas and close to building entrances, when possible. These “under the hood” cats are harder to steal so, for the most part, you don’t have to worry about those being stolen. Why isn’t car theft an easier way to steal? Morris says a new catalytic converter costs about $3,000 and insurance may not cover it. How do thieves steal catalytic converters? (And once a converter is stolen, don’t count on getting it back. Cars left for extended periods of time in poorly monitored lots tend to be the most common locations. She asks why her car has been targeted for this type of theft The whole process can take less than two minutes. They can then be dealt with elsewhere.

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