To be fair, it is entirely possible these thieving rats are simply parked close by and inconspicuously following Jemca Enfield clients home after their servicing - using anything from a Moped (scooter) to a car. Unless you’re James Bond inclined, you might not notice the tail. My dealership usually washes their clients cars after a service or an MOT. A member of the gang might be working with the Car washing crew and has the chance to peep under target vehicles before alerting his accomplices to tail the vehicle. Of course, if the service papers (with the clients address) stay with the vehicle during the washing phase, all it takes is a smartphone photo of these details sent to the cat theft gang and that’s that. That may well be the source of any leak, but I’m being purely theoretical here. It of course might not be Jemca Enfield’s fault at all. iPhone 6s +
I don't think its down to the dealership, I believe the thieves have just cottoned onto the fact that the Hybrid cars have these valuable goldmines underneath, and go round driving until they find a few, and then steal the cat for their illicit means. The scumbags who do this aren't working for a living, so have plentiful time in which to carry out the thefts.
I hope and pray that 2019 (late) and 2020 Prius AWD don't have this problem. I think they don't have the Lithium battery problem, that someone else mentioned as the next possible theft item due to the exhorbitant price of Lithium.
The Skoda is on stolen number plates, its showing as a Skoda Citigo, its an Octavia. I had to visit my mum in Hospital today, part of me was wondering if my car was still intact when I went outside. (it was). Sad isn't it?
You’re right. It’s no news that these thieving degenerates are using stolen or cloned number plates. So much for modern technologies and the much vaunted ANPR - when all the career criminals can still drive illegally through our streets and indulge in wanton criminality without hindrance from law enforcement. As for the leaving your car in a car park and wondering if it will still be intact when you return - I’ve got to say I always worry too - I’ll never stop worrying, despite all the security on board “The Spaceship”. Sometimes I worry if the whole Prius will still be there when I return - they can easily steal the whole vehicle if they wanted - it’s a top of the range model and a veritable workhorse. Parts must be pretty expensive in parts of Eastern Europe - so I can see our Prii soon being stolen to order for used spare parts. All they need is a cheap tow truck, a couple of counterfeit stickers slapped on your windscreen indicating you’ve been towed for illegal parking - and the police will NEVER stop them (because there aren’t enough to go around). They’d have lifted and stolen at least 50 Prii before anyone will bother to get involved in today’s UK I keep seeing a 2008 Red Prius TSpirit parked on a tow truck on a Walthamstow street when driving home from work. You can clearly see damage on the side from where it’s been crudely jacked up and doubtlessly the catalytic converter stolen. And to think once upon a time, seeing a Prius being towed was an extreme rarity. iPhone 6s +
I still don't know how the wifes Grandfather had his Prius stolen, I should ring him one day. It's just so frustrating as it slows no signs of abating. I do occasionally retweet the Police on twitter when they have reported more thefts, as I advise people to come here for advice in keeping their vehicle safe. Shouldn't have to really though.
I found the way to do it. Now I am looking where to get this sensor (tilt/shock). I need a few new tools!
What we need is a poison dart dispensing system installed underneath the Prius. When a light fingered stealing jackass is detected cutting through a catalytic converter, it shoots poisonous darts at a very high speed into their arms. The poison specified should be the type that would ensure they lie there paralysed twitching in their final death throes for a few hours as their flesh rots from within. Plenty of time for regrets! Oh, and no antidote whatsoever if you please. A grisly and exquisitely painful demise literally guaranteed . It’ll never be legally allowed of course (perish the thought), so it’s just one of my rather morbid (and reasonably laughable) fantasies of what I wish I could do to these parasites ......and it also drives home just how much I hate these catalyst thieving vermin with every fibre of my being ! iPhone 6s +
Do you have details of the materials for your cat security - what's the chainmail, how many lengths of steel rope, and how long each one, how many 'jubilee clips' of what size, how many bits of threaded rod, what length, etc?? I would probably get my mechanic to make and fit it, but I would order the bits. I've have just been alerted to 2nd Gen Prius cat theft in London, and want to have a go at securing it before it gets stolen!
Uh oh: Huge increase in thefts of catalytic converters in Coquitlam area | Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly
2009-2016 Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter Cover Anti Theft Protection/Protecter | eBay this may be an idea for some people to have put on their car.
Includes that great hunk of flat bar? I don't think I could bring myself to do that, but yeah, desparate times.
Hello all, From my previous postings on this forum; you’d know I had my catalytic converter stolen from my beloved 2010 Prius in August this year. After this occurred I decide to go a private garage and get a second-hand catalytic converter installed complete with the o2 sensor as I couldn’t afford a brand new one. However since this installation took place, 3 weeks later an engine-warning light appeared and has remained on since. I took it back to the same garage and the mechanic identified that there was an issue with the voltage in the o2 sensor connected on the catalytic converter. I have since taken my car back to the same garage several times and each time he plugged in his diagnostics machine and clear the fault code associated with a faulty o2 sensor, and each time a few days later it has come back! So I decided to get this fool of a mechanic to change the o2 sensor with a new one, which worked fine for a few days and then.... LO AND BEHOLD!!! The engine warning light reappeared! I just want this god-damn engine warning light to go away and leave me in peace! I just want my Prius to be fault-free without warning lights and etc! Can any advise of what I should do next to resolve this fiasco?!?!