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Catalytic converter theft: what you need to know

By Lexus UK

Catalytic converter theft from cars isn’t a new crime, but it has increased significantly in recent times.

Police forces around the UK are advising owners of any car fitted with a catalytic converter to take precautions. In the case of Lexus, we are aware that the second-generation Lexus RX 400h models (2005-2008) and the Lexus CT 200h have been a particular target for thieves.

Below we’ve gathered the best advice for Lexus owners who may be concerned.

What is a catalytic converter? 

The catalytic converter is part of the car’s emissions control system. It cleans up the exhaust gases before they are expelled from the car through the exhaust pipe. Its internal elements react with the gases, breaking them down into less harmful substances and water vapour. All new cars sold in Europe since 1993 have had to be fitted with catalytic converter by law.

Why are they a target for thieves?

The police are best placed to offer advice on the motivation behind crimes. But we understand that the recycling value of catalytic converters is the primary attraction to thieves because it contains precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium.

What can owners do to stop their cars being targeted?

Some owners have chosen to tag their catalytic converters with an invisible yet traceable forensic marking solution, such as that provided by SmartWater. This means that a stolen catalytic converter can be traced to a specific crime, helping police in their attempts to fight the organised gangs responsible. It also raises the risk to all those handling the devices along the criminal chain, from theft to eventual disposal and recycling. Mechanical theft prevention products such as Catloc devices can also deter thieves.

However, it must be noted that catalytic converter theft is a criminal operation and the scope of owners is therefore limited. Police forces are taking action, so it is important for anyone who is a victim of this crime to report it as quickly as possible.

In the main, older cars are more likely to be targeted. This is because advances in efficiency and technology mean the latest generations of catalytic converters contain vastly lower amounts of precious metals, while still doing their job just as well or even better. This means their value for recycling is very low and they are not attractive to thieves.

Does a mechanical lock give a car 100% protection from thieves?

Sadly not. It can make theft more difficult but thieves are using high-powered cutting tools to remove catalytic converters and because of this it is not possible to make them ‘unstealable’. A mechanical locking device makes it harder to steal a catalytic converter because it slows down thieves and therefore acts as a deterrent.

Who can I contact if I’m worried about my Lexus?

If you are worried about potential catalytic converter theft from your Lexus, we recommend you use our locator tool to find your nearest Lexus centre and contact them to discuss the best way to protect your car.

This article was last updated on 2 November 2024, so some of the responses to reader comments below have been superseded by more recent information.

724 comments

  1. My cat was stolen in broad daylight a couple of weeks ago (got them on cctv). According to my insurance company the spare part will not be here till mid-January at the earliest. My chief concern now is what I do once it has been replaced. Wait around till they come and take it away again (which they will, to be sure)? My car is effectively useless and possibly unsaleable (except to someone far away from London). So what can you advise us Lexus? BTW my local dealer hadn’t known about the £750 offer above and I had to email him the link! My car has been the most comfortable and reliable car I have ever owned in decades of driving and owning cars. I love it but am at a loss. Please help us.

    Reply

    1. Hi Martin,

      Thanks for contacting us. We are so sorry your car has been targeted by criminals. We will email you directly in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team who will be able to support you further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. I am in exactly the same position. We have waited over a month for a new cat converter from Lexus but what’s the point as the inevitability of it being stolen again is close to 100% and whichever way you park the car it is so easy to get too.
      Lexus please reach out and give me some advice/reassurance etc

      Reply

      1. Hi Jeremy,

        Thanks for getting in touch. We are sorry you have been a victim of this crime and that you have been waiting so long for a replacement. Our customer relations team are able to track replacement parts and as such, we would like to open a case on your behalf. We will email you directly regarding this.

        Thanks.

        Reply

  2. Just had our cat cut out in broad daylight at Aylesbury aqua vale swimming pool while taking our 2yr old granddaughter swimming. So so upsetting! We have a 2008 RX400h. Do the cats have a serial number stamped on them which I can add to the police report?
    How long is the delay in getting a replacement?
    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Adrian,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry for the distress this situation has caused you and your family. In order to answer your query, we will need to gain some additional details from you and put you in touch with our customer relations team who are working to support all our customer impacted by this crime. We will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  4. I have a 2008 RX 400h and I have had my catalytic converter stolen twice now, the second time the stole it within 4 days of it being returned to me by Lexus. Does anyone know how to stop these Son’s Of Bi*%H!@ what can I buy?

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thank you for getting in touch. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We will email you directly in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team who will be able to support you further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. This is terrible to read. I had mine stolen 2 weeks ago and if it gets repairs I will be selling the car immediately. Surely Lexus can come up with a way to prevent these thefts when the stolen part is replaced. I love my old Lexus but I will have to sell it as I cannot go through another theft.

      Reply

  5. My cat was stolen between last night and early hours this morning! I took it to Lexus and was told to take it to a garage and get them to weld a pipe to dampen the noise. Oh and also said that they have no cats until February 2020 at a push and it will cost £700. I feel disappointed that these low lifes have stolen something that I feel will only be sold back to me (via Ebay or other party) at double the price! I am disturbed that the alarm did not go off! I managed to get it to a garage and they have done a temporary fix but again this has cost me as not even the garage could order any cats because they are in such demand.

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thank you for contacting us. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this may have caused. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open customer relations case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  6. My Cat has been removed today. Car has been parked on my driveway .Hope Lexus will rush with help. But currently I could not see any solution than have custom build lock

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for contacting us. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We will email you directly in order to discuss your situation further and put you in touch with our customer relations team.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  7. My 2009 Lexus RX400H had its cat convertor stolen on 13/09/19. As of 12/11/19, I am still waiting on the garage used by my insurance company to source a replacement. Can you let me know what my options are regarding sourcing a replacement cat convertor are and protecting it from another theft ?

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us about this situation. We are so sorry to hear about this and we will contact you directly in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. Hi, Just had the catalytic converter stolen from my RX400. There is a 2 month wait for a Lexus part or a 10 day wait for a non-genuine part. Luckily I have a courtesy car through my car insurance but I am not sure about which option to take as I am not an expert on catalytic converters! Can you please advise what you would recommend

    Appreciate the help
    Chris

    Reply

    1. Hi Chris,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. Our customer relations team will be able to support you further with this and we will contact you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. I too had my catalytic converter stolen 2 weeks ago. I asked a question about which makes of Lexus RX hybrid that are not vulnerable to these thefts. I have not had a response. So much for customer service. May be I am better off looking elsewhere for a replacement car. My RX IS 2007. I await a response please.

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime, and we are also sorry if you haven’t been responded to. Regarding your question, in theory any car with a catalytic converter is at risk of theft.

      Our customer relations team are working to support all our customers who have been impacted by this and with that in mind we will email you directly in order to open a case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. I have an RX400h 2006 and the Catalytic Converter was stolen at the end of last month. Luckily, as a good will gesture my insurance have covered the cost of a replacement, but as of today’s date I am driving a hire car. In all honesty, i dont really want the Lexus back now as I’m 100% certain that it’s going to get stolen again! It’s giving me anxiety just thinking about the prospect. My husband had parked it outside my daughters gymnastics club – only to find that when they returned that the Cat had been stolen. Those thieving monsters left my husband and young daughter stranded!
    Little did they know thought that the gym had security camera’s and caught them on camera 🙂

    I just spoke to the repair garage and asked them to replace it with a catalytic converter that doesn’t contain the desired metals and they told me that the insurance company wont reimburse them for the cost and that the best that they can advise is for me to call Lexus so that they can supply a lockable cover – but after reading the comments above, I can see that that is obviously not true.

    If Lexus could please contact me to let me know what alternative there is available to the lockable cover i would really appreciate it.

    Many thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this may have caused your family. We will email you directly in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team who will be best placed to help with your queries.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Is there a lock available and would it make a difference? Why not give answers to some of these questions online so the rest of the Lexus user community can benefit? Which models and what year cars have been targeted the most? What other precautions can one take – for example park the car in a certain way – say against a wall front facing etc – to make it difficult for the thieves to steal the Cat converters. What other car makes are targeted?

        Reply

        1. Hi Dipak,

          Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are directing customers to our customer relations team as they are assessing each case on an individual basis in order to provide the best support we can. We don’t currently have a Catloc available, however please be aware are urgently looking into other technical possibilities.

          In theory, any hybrid car with a catalytic converter is at risk of theft, particularly as criminals are using high-grade power tools to remove them. For further advice on how to protect your car, at the beginning of this blog post we have linked in Police advice on precautions that can be taken when parking your car.

          Thanks.

          Reply

        3. Just had my catalyst converter stolen by thieves. Is there any measures Lexus have put I place to stop this from happening again. My wife is heavily pregnant and our car is the only option for her to carry out the school run. Now she cannot commute and have to spend a best amount of money to travel back and forth whilst we get the catalyst replaced. Help us Lexus this is appalling. STOP this thieves from having easy access to all catalyst on Lexus brands.

          Reply

          1. Hello Michael,
            We are sorry to hear that you have been affected by this horrible crime.
            Currently, we produce CatLocs for vehicles considered most at risk, but criminals are using high-grade power tools that are difficult for any manufacturer to completely protect against.
            Please be aware we are constantly monitoring this situation and are doing all we can to support our customers that have been impacted by this horrible crime.
            Once again, we are sorry that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves and for the distress that this crime has caused.
            Thanks.

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