Stolen catalytic converter in london uk

we need to know if the people getting re-targeted have the original OEM replaced or a cheap after market one.

Probably best to wait for someone on this forum to say they had their cheap after market one stolen before we panic sell our prii

And yes I think copycat thieves are certainly a big worry.

If mine gets stolen again I would just prefer to have the car written off

 

It’s very difficult to tell but from the cctv it seems most of the times the thieves are checking before stealing it.

Some of the posts on this forum have suggested that after market ones are not being touched.

However you got to remember thieves are thick it takes them 2 minutes to jack and cut the cat off even if they take an after market one they can dump it later. Unfortunately the owners lumbered with the replacement costs and inconvenience it brings.

So it would be prudent if your planning to keep the car to take some additional precautions. Cost of cat clamp £150-200 most excess of insurance £150-200 probably more then that plus the fact your renewal will most likely go up.

 

I like how the Islington Gazette selected a picture of the very latest Prius to go with an article about thieves committing Grand Theft CAT on Prii.

Just one Google search and their article could have turned into an accurate expose (compliments of our Prius Chat thread on the matter) regarding these thefts and could have at least genuinely educated its readers about this awful phenomenon.
They could have highlighted which model was being attacked and offered advice on how to protect yourself.

Stop the planet; I want to get off....‍‍‍

(Triple facepalm, because the FAIL is too great).


iPhone 6s +

 

My car alarm went off today when I was at my kids school, the caretaker said he looked out and wondered if someone had hit the car. I told him about the catalytic converter issue and he was shocked. I did check under the car to see if the exhaust was intact and it was, I shouldn’t have to be doing that though really.

 

Have you got an aftermarket alarm fitted? Yes I have the same feeling every time
I start the car will the car sound like a tractor

 

It’s the standard alarm, with a tilt motion sensor fitted. It was fitted before my cat got stolen, I’m thinking that it went off due to being parked up on a kerb at an angle, when a Chelsea tractor went past the wind may of knocked the car setting it off.

 

The first time I went shopping at Brent Cross Shopping Centre after “The Spaceship” had been fixed, I recall the horror, my heart thumping wildly, as I pressed the start button, then waited the 5 to 7 seconds for the ICE to engage.

I really DID expect to hear that horrid sound again. I’d have probably had a heart attack if I did.

And for weeks afterwards, every morning, I felt the same way too, starting The Spaceship first thing in the morning!

It took a while before I convinced myself (using Vulcan Logic if nothing else)....that the chances of this happening to me again with all the precautions I’ve taken - and the various security protocols implemented - is practically zero.

Or as much a chance of the whole vehicle being taken at once (which would probably be easier for them using a heavy lift truck).

Nobody should have to suffer emotional stress like that.
I’m still waking up at the slightest metallic noise from the streets.....or the sound of a car door closing at 2.00am in the morning.

Victimless crime indeed


iPhone 6s +

 

Thats shocking the car was alarmed they still stole the cat

 

iPhone 6s +

 

I also have catloc security stickers on the window, so they obviously didn’t care. I do wonder though if they did actually jack it up in the first place though.

 

They always jack it up - they need the leverage to use that cutting tool of theirs.
At least, all the surveillance videos confirm that.
They’re too cowardly to shimmy under a Prius without jacking it up first.

Imagine an angry crowd trapping the bastard under there and stomping his Crown Jewels to Kingdom come. Exactly - they won’t put themselves at risk for so called easy pickings.

They’ve done their homework.


iPhone 6s +

 

I know you guys can’t have guns but don’t your people have swords or something. Like the knights of the round table. I bet those creeps would run like Daniel Boon being chased by a bear if they saw that.

 

You post highlights why I had to reluctantly let 'The Sitting Duck' go. I would constantly be at the window, jumping up at every slight noise, let alone the alarm going off.

'The Sitting Duck' has finally gone to a new owner. The only saving grace (for the continued life of the car) is the new owner lives at the other end of the country where this type of Prius skulduggery has not yet reached.

Finally, to finish on a positive note. I was gobsmacked at what I got for the old thing. Three times more than I thought I'd get, and only £300 less than I paid for it 6 years ago!! I did not even have to haggle. Now that is a car that holds its value.

Farewell fine Prius, and thank you for the years of painless, stress-free motoring.

 

iPhone 6s +

 

At least, The Sitting Duck has gone to another Prius enthusiast who will doubtlessly take good care of her. Hopefully, those parasitic thieves will never get their hands on her again


iPhone 6s +

 

A definite Prius enthusiast Data. The car sold itself tbh.

I doubt they will get their hands on it where he lives. It has an original Cat back on it as well, so the grubby beggars better not!

 

And..., I think I'd rather be shot than hacked up with a broad axe, turned into hamburger with a mace. Just saying.

 

I'm just wondering where they got their list of owners from...
This is organized crime.
Too well organized.
Too easy to figure out participating parties...

 

Why assume they have a list? Maybe they just drive around looking?

 

I have counted at least 20 different Prii around my immediate area, that doesn’t count the ones on used car lots. Just ones I see parked on my daily commute. It wouldn’t be hard to find them if I was interested in theft of cats.