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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

  2. The catalytic converter was stolen from my RX400H last night in a car park. I’m reading on here that this is been going on for a long time now and Lexus did not think to make this more known to Lexus drivers. This is very disappointing as I always receive leaflets to come and upgrade my car. Can you please advise on the time it’s taken to get the converter from Lexus.

    Reply

    1. Hi Christiana,

      Thank you for getting in touch. We are deeply sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details of your situation and open a customer relations team on your behalf. our team will be best placed to advise you further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  3. I have just read this thread of comments after ours was stolen last week. We have logged a job at Lexus to repair, but I am very concerned that it will happen again. We only bought the car 2 months ago and if we had known about this problem we would not have purchased it. I am very upset that Lexus do not appear to be being proactive regarding possible solutions or even warnings to customers…your technical teams must have some ideas about what can be done. Your customers are buying cars in good faith and being left out of pocket through no fault of their own.

    This is terrible.

    Reply

    1. Hi Michelle,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. Please be aware we are doing all we can to support our customers who have been impacted by this. We will email you directly to gain additional details and put you in touch with our customer relations team as they will be able to help you further and answer any queries you may have.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  4. Our catalytic converter was stolen from our 2006 RX400h outside our house in Sept. and we are still in a rental car. I too am afraid once we get the car back it will be stolen again! Please, can we have a locking device from Lexus? Judy

    Reply

    1. Hi Judy,

      Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been impacted by this crime and for the distress this may have caused. Our customer relations team will be able to support you further, and we will email you directly in order to open a case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  5. My cat was stolen from our drive 2 days ago. I’ve already been warned it might take a month or longer to get a replacement. Why is this crime a particular issue with older Lexus models? Why has Lexus not developed some mechanism to help protect customers from future theft as clearly it appears this could happen repeatedly? Why is the only response from Lexus basically we’ll email you directly?

    Reply

    1. Hi Cynthia,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. Our customer relations team are in the best position to support you in any way we can during this incredibly difficult situation and as a result, we would like to put you in touch with them and will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  6. Don’t believe the Lexus “reduced” price above. I have just been told on the phone that the fixed price is £900. That is £750 for the catalytic converter and £150 for “clips and springs and stuff”! There may be additional cost if the thieves damaged anything else.

    And I’m told there is neither stock available nor a delivery date for new stock. The best Lexus can do is put me on a waiting list to be contacted as and when they have a delivery date and then to wait for the actual delivery and an appointment for installation.

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for contacting us about this. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. You are right that costs may vary depending on the extent of any damage to your vehicle. Our customer relations team are able to track replacement parts and we will email you directly in order to put you in touch with a case manager.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for your message. We are sorry to hear you have been a victim of this crime. Our customer relations team will be able to help you further and we will email you directly in order to open a case on your behalf.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. My elderly father has fallen victim to the same crime.

    I do not accept that all C.C s are a target.

    I think Lexus should at least contact everyone on the DVLA database with the vulnerable models.

    Until it happens to them ,owners may not be aware that they have to be vigilant.

    We have installed security measures at my fathers property to deter the thieves from taking the new one when it finally arrives but I doubt it will stop them.

    I have looked at the design of any such C.C lock on the market and they look ridiculously flimsy.
    Any help would be appreciated ..

    Reply

    1. Hi Steve,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us about this. We are so sorry to hear your father has been impacted by this crime and for the distress this may have caused. Would you like to discuss his case further with our customer relations team?

      Thanks.

      Reply

  9. Got my one stolen last night.
    Right in front of my garage on drive.
    Can not blame Lexus for their brilliant cars. Because if you want to drive quality, safety car it has to be build from quality expensive materials.
    Can only blame police and government. They do nothing to stop this crime.
    The most popular answer from police is “contact your insurance”.
    They don’t care I still have to pay my excess and deal with the claim for the next couple of years.
    What to say to Lexus. Arrange more catholic convertes for future. So your customers do not wait until the next year.

    Reply

    1. Hi Anton,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are incredibly sorry to hear you have been a victim of this crime. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team and will email you directly regarding this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

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