Stolen catalytic converter in london uk

They're still at it, the link on Toyotas page which has been posted before suggests that its still happening. I've sold mine now, shame but was fed up of worrying where I was going to park the car and having the cat stolen again.

 

My Cat defender is on its way.

Problem solved.

 

Can confirm they're still at it had mine nicked Friday just gone. ended up cycling to work till now. fitted the new catalytic myself due to costs elsewhere being too high. it is a real problem still.

 

was it the original OEM cat or a cheap after market one?

 

So my 06 Prius cat was stolen last week and I’ve installed an aftermarket one from BM catalysts. Fuel economy has gone up (mileage is 119k) but yes I know these cats are not as good as OEM. Not using the car so much these days and have another one anyway so will probably sell the Prius.

Has anyone had an aftermarket cat stolen? Are the thieves able to distinguish OEM from aftermarket? Presume they won’t get any money for the aftermarket..

 

Some guesses:

1. They may are may not be able to tell the difference, and maybe by the time they've jacked it up, crawled under, might be simpler to cut first and figure it out later.

2. I'd suspect they can get money for any bonafide cat. Maybe significantly less, but enough to pay for the hassle.

 

I agree that at least in the UK, they’ll probably cut first and get the well deserved slap from their “Fagin Boss” afterwards, for removing a non-OEM cat.
We really do have a high level of pathologically “stoopid” criminals over here.
Having said that, I have yet to hear from a single genuine non-OEM cat fitted Prius owner, that their non-OEM cat was also stolen from under their vehicle. Not one UK report.

This would indicate that the thieves are likely checking, and are well schooled in what a genuine OEM cat looks like - there ARE differences.
They’re also aware that if it’s been stolen once the owner might be in a heightened state of alertness, ready to do something unusually terrible to them if they attacked the same car for a non-OEM cat.

Lastly, no. They won’t get anything for the theft of a non-OEM cat.
Mine was worth £150 or slightly less, off the shelf. The OEM is closer to almost £2,000. They’re getting at least £800 to £900 profit per stolen OEM cat (if they’re cutting out the middleman and smelting the metals themselves).

You will get virtually NOTHING from a non-OEM cat. There’s a reason why it costs £150 instead of almost £2,000.
It literally does not have the quantities of precious metals that make such a theft worthwhile - which might be why they’d check before trying to steal it.

If they wanted non-OEM cats, they could steal them off any car - not just target 2nd Gen Prii.

I’ve seen quite a few YouTube videos where they DO check underneath before stealing it.

I’m sure my vehicle has been checked a fair few times since the original theft, and they’ve seen the custom security installed or recognised that it’s a non-OEM....so they’ve left well alone and moved on to some other target.


iPad ? Pro

 

Now, insurance in the UK is a problem;

Catalytic converter theft: hybrid car owners face insurance nightmare | Money | The Guardian

 

[QUOTE="Data Daedalus, post: 3049209, member: 115397"
Having said that, I have yet to hear from a single genuine non-OEM cat fitted Prius owner, that their non-OEM cat was also stolen from under their vehicle. Not one UK report.

Yes there hasnt been a single report on here of someone having their non-OEM cat stolen , hopefully I think that means they are checking before stealing it.

 

My Gen 1 Prius cat was replaced with an original cat as an aftermarket one was impossible to get (their words)

I have been in touch with the person I sold it to, and he has not had it stolen, so hopefully his part of the country is an area where these cretinous morons have not thought to travel to yet.

Should also say my old faithful 'Sitting Duck' passed its latest MOT without any problems yet again. I swear that car was made to last. Nearly 20 years old now and it's still wafting about without a single problem. According to new owner it feels like a new car still.

I have had three different cars since I sold the Prius. None of them can hold a candle to it. More importantly the air con in the Prius was colder than the Arctic Circle. A fact non of my subsequent cars can claim.

I miss it a lot.

 

I feel your pain.....


iPhone 6s +

 

Thanks Data.
I keep coming back here in the vain hope that this cat theft (victimless) crime spree has died down.

My hope is that once it has died down (some hope) I'll be first in the queue to get another Prius.

I just simply can not find another car that matches them. I am also looking forward to getting a Gen 2, or maybe a Gen 3 the next time. It must have a reverse camera. I think a lot of them do.

Something to look forward to I suppose, In the meantime I shall have to continue to haul myself about in a car that is not a pleasure to be in, and is an effort to drive - not to mention expensive to maintain and fuel.

Better days ahead (for us all) I hope ....

 

Cat Defender? What is that if you don't mind me asking.

 

Auto Defender USA - Prius Catalytic Converter, Protection, Security

 

Another version is available from Cap City Muffler in Sacramento, California:

 

I was not confident of the supplied aluminum rivets and screws. Having extensively used blind or “pop” rivets for many years, I have easily drilled out many aluminum rivets.

On that account, I replaced all of the aluminum rivets with stainless steel ones backed with stainless steel fender washers. My experience is that stainless steel rivets are really difficult to drill out. The bit will not readily into them and just spins the rivet in the hole. This is because the friction between the rivet and the rivet hole is not enough to keep it from spinning. The edge of the thin rivet must be difficultly and tediously held with pliers to keep it from spinning while being drilled. Ideally it would be easier held at the other end if accessible, but not in the case of this install. The washers under the rivet head also increases the likelihood of the rivet spinning when drilled.

Ultimately, the better way would be to grind off the rivet heads. That is obviously tedious and time consuming.

Stainless steel rivets is the way to go, if you really want security.

In commercial applications, a 1/4 inch air hydraulic riveter is recommended for efficiency..

 

That Cat Defender looks a really good idea. Hopefully they will be available over in the UK soon. I do regret getting rid of my Prius but the worry of where I was going to park it every time exhausted me.

I’ve had an alert from My Toyota saying that someone else has registered my old car so it’s good that it lives on.

 

Here is some evidence that the catalytic converter shield works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVONGszTD6U

 

I wish this option had been available in the UK back in December 2018, when my Gen 2 got molested and robbed by those cat thieves.

My present solution cost more than that shield probably would, but it’s been surprisingly effective so far.
Next CAT replacement time (I have a non-OEM), I’ll be upgrading to THAT shield.

Looks like we’d get the added bonus of a slipstreamed underbody that should reduce the drag coefficient of the vehicle - even if it’s by a ridiculously silly amount .

Also better than Go Faster Stripes, right?


iPhone 6s +

 

I had my 2008 Prius catcon stolen in Chelsea (London) April 2019, replaced it under insurance with a genuine catcon as well as getting a Catloc fitted; several weeks later, in the same location this one was attacked and the whole exhaust was damaged beyond repair (but catcon not stolen - just left dangling). So the Catloc really didn't do much to deter stupid thieves (or illiterate ones who cannot read the warning stickers). On advice I replaced it myself with a non-genuine (third party) catcon and so far has avoided attack. However - I spoke with the Catloc people today Friday 2020.10.02 (very helpful) and they said that third party catcons are now starting to be attacked/stolen. Anyway, we are returning to Australia soon where catcon theft is unheard of (not joking). So I'm selling separately or together both the 1. Prius with after-market catcon fitted (hardly used) and the 2. Genuine catcon with Catloc attached. I have good records and have done significant work on the car. Four new tyres; air con recently recharged August 2020 (second air con recharge); genuine Toyota Prius 12V battery recently replaced at Currie Motors (Toyota dealer); headlights defogged; "Intermediate" Toyota service May 2019;185 988 miles; Cheers, PJ 07492551211