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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 RX400 Catalytic Converter was stolen while my car was parked outside my house. Like many of the people on this thread, I’m disappointed that Lexus hasn’t recalled the vehicles and provided a solution. I will more than likely sell my car as I can’t risk it happening again.

    Reply

    1. Hi Jay,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime.

      We are doing all we can to minimise the inconvenience to impacted customer as much as possible. We treat all cases on a one by one basis and our Customer Relations team will look at your case and consider offering a courtesy vehicle FOC where Insurance providers will not cover this cost. We have also developed and are supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit and are working with insurance companies.

      Please also be aware we are engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Thanks,

        How will I know if Lexus are going to offer a replacement car while mine is waiting for repair?

        Reply

  2. In December 2019 I had my whole exhaust system stolen from my RX400h. Finding out how much a replacement would cost via Lexus I went through my insurance, paying £500 excess. After it was repaired, on Lexus advice, I had at CATLOC fitted by Lexus, cost £275. Last week there was a failed attempt to remove the catalytic converter, it had been cut from the rest of the exhaust but was still attached to the CATLOC. While waiting for the car to be collected for welding it back to the system we had another overnight visit. The catalytic converter is gone but the CATLOC is still attached to my car.
    So to the many others in this situation a CATLOC is not the answer and Lexus needs to do much better and to stop taking money for ineffective solutions.

    Reply

    1. Hi Janet,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We are doing all we can and are currently engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

      We treat all cases on a one by one basis and our Customer Relations team will look at your case and consider offering a courtesy vehicle FOC where Insurance providers will not cover this cost.

      If you would like to discuss your situation further with our customer relations team, you can find their contact details here: https://www.lexus.co.uk/concierge-tool/contact-us/

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. A late final update. I did contact customer relations and was told the CATLOC did not come with a guarantee that it would work and there was nothing else Lexus could offer. Having paid out a second £550 on my insurance excess I traded in my Lexus RX400h for a Volvo.

        Reply

      2. Lexus. Having read the predicament all Lexus are facing and all you have is a common reply to all. I have just bought Lexus and I shall cancel and buy another brand.

        Reply

  3. Hi. Just had mine catalytic converter stolen. Lexus ct200h they did theft on my factory car park.
    I’m with lexus since years now but after reading all this complains and reports I may just give up and sell my lexus and switch to another brand.

    So sad

    Reply

    1. Hi Marcin,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We’re so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We are doing everything we can to support our customers who have been victims of crime. We treat all cases on a one by one basis and our Customer Relations team will look at your case and consider offering a courtesy vehicle FOC where Insurance providers will not cover this cost.

      We have developed and are supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit such as CatLocs, bolt caps and component etching to protect consumers from further attacks. We are also working with insurers to minimise the impact on consumers.

      Finally, please also be aware we are currently engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

      If you would like to discuss your situation further with our customer relations team, you can find their contact details via this link: https://www.lexus.co.uk/concierge-tool/contact-us/

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi.
        Just rang my local lexus and they wasn’t aware about anything you stated above also the link you provided have loads of departments so i have no clue wher to ring. In local Derby lexus they gived me a quote for catalytic and sensor for almost 1000f and they wasn’t aware about any catlock.
        Houndreds of people reporting on this web side whats happening and you haven’t let any one aware that they are in risk. You runging every thay about MOT will expire soon but you can’t help your customers with Warning call.

        Bad name Lexus bad name.

        Reply

        1. Hi Marcin,

          Thanks for getting back in touch. We’re sorry to hear about that and would like to look into this further. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team.

          Thanks.

          Reply

          1. Just to make everyone aware.

            Lexus Derby just rang me back, for my ct200h catalytic converter and senssor 1480f including fitting.

  4. I had my RX400H Lexus attacked outside of my house in Harpenden at 12.00p while eating lunch. I could not afford to replace it as was quoted 2k so had my local mechanic weld a pipe in place. Within a week my engine had the big ends fail. Im picking the attack might have create an oil leak issue? or bad luck. Either way, I had my Lexus for 6 years and I have to say I loved it, best car ever but I will never buy a Hybrid again. Can you let me know if the RX350 petrol or RX200T petrol have CATs? will these be targeted? Otherwise Ill have to look at an alternative brand.

    Thanks
    Paul

    Reply

    1. Hi Paul,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. Please be aware we are currently engaging with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. All of this will raise the profile of this crime with all police forces and identify issues with current legislation.

      We have also checked with our product team and both the RX350 and RX200T have catalytic converters. Questions about the motivations and tactics of criminals should be addressed to the police

      Thanks.

      Reply

  5. Antoine at Lexus Twickenham has refused to honour the £750 price. He has advised the real cost is £1200. They do not participate in the £750 offer.

    Please can you advise a dealership that will do this for £750. Do you have an approved list where we can take our cars?

    Reply

    1. Hi Menesh,

      Thanks for getting in touch. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. We would like to investigate this further on your behalf with our customer relations team. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with the team.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  6. If you’re in London get a super catlock fitted by Europa Autos 137 Wandsworth Road. It’s actually a big envelope of steel around the cat, which would take an hour or more for a thief to cut through and need special tools. My local Lexus service centre recommended them. They’ve fitted 30+ with no thefts since. Much more effective than bike lock style catlocks.

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Simon. I too am based in SW London and will look into this – could you advise whether this “super catloc” rattles at all? I have the “official” Catloc fitted and there is a pronounced rattle at low speeds. Thanks again!

      Reply

    1. Hi Peter,

      Thank you for getting in touch with us. We don’t currently have a Catloc available for UX250h. In theory any vehicle with a catalytic converter is at risk of theft, however please also be aware that we currently produce Catlocs for the vehicles deemed most at risk.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. I’ve just had my catalytic converter stolen from my 2005 RX400 for the second time in six months. I can’t keep spending a fortune getting it mended for it to happen again. Especially with the inconvenience it causes. I was without my car for weeks last time. I was going to trade this Lexus in for another but unfortunately I’m going to have to think again. I honestly don’t know what to do.

    Reply

    1. Hi Pard,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We don’t currently have a Catloc available for the RX350. Please be aware we are constantly assessing this situation and any updates will be shared to this blog.

      At this time we have Catlocs available for the CT and RX 400h.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  10. I’ve just had my catalytic converter stolen within the last 24 hours. Please can you confirm if a catloc is available for the ct200h model, and what the current lead times are for repair please?

    I live in the South East London area, and my nearest Lexus repair centre is Sidcup.

    Reply

    1. Hi Mike,

      Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. A Catloc for the Lexus CT is available and your nearest Lexus centre is best placed to discuss repairs with. We will email you to gain additional details and put you in touch with your nearest dealer.

      Alternatively, if you would like to contact their team directly, you can find their contact details here: https://www.lexus.co.uk/forms/find-a-centre

      Thanks.

      Reply

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