How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

We’re always warned when leaving our cars in public places not to keep belongings on the seat if we’re not going to be with the vehicle… always stash them somewhere safe and out of sight in the boot just to be on the safe side and help deter potential thieves.

But you should be aware that there are parts on the car itself that are still attractive to thieves and one of the big ones is your catalytic converter. These are made from platinum, rhodium and palladium, which are expensive and valuable metals that thieves can sell on to scrap yards for a hefty chunk of change.

Remember that it’s actually illegal to drive your car without a catalytic converter so if yours is sadly pinched, you will need to get it replaced before hitting the road once again. You’ll also likely find that your car doesn’t run as well without the converter, so replacing it should be a top priority.

Unless you’re a mechanic or have in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of a car, you may not even know if your converter has been stolen. Listen to the engine when you turn the vehicle on – do you hear a roaring or rumbling noise? Does this get louder the harder you press the accelerator down?

If so, have a quick look under the car – your converter is a round canister with two bits of piping in the exhaust. Do you see a gap in the middle of the exhaust? Then your converter has disappeared.

Unfortunately, it’s relatively quick and easy for thieves to make off with your converter. All they need is a saw and a couple of minutes! In order to protect your vehicle properly while leaving it in a public space, always try to park under a streetlight as this will put people off targeting your car.

At home, always use a garage if you have one and make sure you keep the door closed. Park near to building entrances or access roads, as this will mean more people are likely to be walking past which will also serve as a deterrent to prospective thieves. Check out The AA website for further security hints and tips.

These days, you can also invest in security gadgets that you can attach to your converters that will make it harder for them to be stolen. You could also consider having the converter welded to the frame of your car. Engraving your address or other identifying phrase on the converter itself is also a good idea so it can be traced if stolen.

If you are unfortunate enough to have your converter pinched, call the police as soon as you become aware of it. And also get in touch with scrap yards in your local area so they know what to be on the lookout for. A good line of defence is to keep an eye on local news reports as well so you can see if there’s a spate of this kind of theft going on.

Do you need a catalytic converter supplier? Give us a call today.