Why Do Catalytic Converters Get Stolen From Your Car?

The catalytic converter is among the most commonly targeted auto parts when it comes to attracting the attention of thieves.

It might not seem reasonable at first, why would someone bother to crawl beneath a car in order to take a piece of the exhaust system?

The great worth of the precious metals contained inside this component, however, holds the key to the solution.

In addition to being extremely valuable, rhodium, palladium, and platinum are necessary for catalytic converters to operate. Although these metals are needed to filter out dangerous emissions, they are easy money for black market sellers and recyclers.

In a matter of minutes, maybe even seconds, a burglar can slide under your car and remove this part with just a simple saw or cutting tool. You don’t have to deal with alarms or unlock the car.

The huge payoff and the degree of convenience for the thief have made catalytic converter theft a profitable criminal activity in recent years.

High value and little work combine to create this ideal situation, and regrettably, many car owners are unaware of their vulnerability until it is too late.

A bit of sneak peek about catalytic convertor

An essential part of your car’s exhaust system is a catalytic converter. Its primary function is to lessen the damaging pollutants that the engine emits.

It is positioned between the engine and the muffler. A chemical reaction occurs when exhaust gases pass through the converter.

Its precious metals aid in the conversion of poisonous gasses like hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide into less hazardous compounds like water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Because of emission restrictions, catalytic converters have been required in all gasoline-powered automobiles since 1975.

Catalytic converters not only help the environment but also lower noise levels in the car as a whole.

The system’s architecture ensures that the exhaust is filtered and muffled before it leaves the tailpipe. In order to meet more stringent emissions regulations, many contemporary cars even contain several converters.

Catalytic converters are not only valuable but also necessary for a car to operate legally and safely due to their complexity and material content. This part isn’t something you can ignore or put off replacing, which is why theft of it gives car owners such a pain.

What makes this component invaluable?

The tiny quantity of rare metals that a catalytic converter contains determines its true worth.

Two to seven grams of palladium, one to two grams of rhodium, and three to seven grams of platinum are typically found in a single converter. Even while those amounts might not seem like much, the market value of these metals reveals otherwise.

In recent times, the prices of platinum, palladium, and rhodium were approximately $1,100, $2,400, and $18,000 per ounce, respectively. This implies that even a little quantity can be sold to illicit recyclers or scrap yards for hundreds of dollars.

It’s a low-risk, high-reward crime for thieves. However, it’s a pricey catastrophe for auto owners.

It can cost up to $2,000 to replace a stolen catalytic converter, not including labor costs. When an automobile has more than one converter, the cost quickly increases. Sadly, the money that criminals earn from selling the stolen part is a small portion of what the victim must pay to have it replaced.

This is why having full-coverage insurance that includes theft protection and taking proactive measures to avoid being a target are so important.

Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from your car?

Catalytic converters, although found beneath the car, are surprisingly simple to steal.

Most cars are easy for someone to slip under, especially trucks and SUVs with more ground clearance. The thief then cuts through the exhaust pipes on either side of the converter using a saw or cordless power tool there.

It often takes less than two minutes to complete the process. No need to open the vehicle, and it may occur unnoticed in dimly lit or unmonitored regions.

Skilled criminals can target several vehicles in a single night and frequently operate in groups. Some even target crowded shopping malls or apartment complex parking lots.

Since catalytic converter thefts don’t require specialized tools or mechanical expertise, they have quickly expanded throughout cities and suburbs.

However, it is challenging to link stolen converters to particular cars because these parts are not serialized in a uniform manner, which makes it challenging for law authorities to apprehend or prosecute perpetrators.

Signs that show the catalytic convertor is stolen from your car

The sound is the first and most noticeable indication that your catalytic converter has been stolen.

The automobile will start up much louder than normal, with a deep, rumbling sound that is difficult to ignore. The engine’s raw output erupts directly out of the pipes in the absence of the converter, which filters and dampens the exhaust.

As you accelerate, this booming sound gets increasingly louder and frequently attracts the attention of those around you. The stolen catalytic convertor also reduces the Hilux Champ Price as well when you put it on sale.

However, there are other indicators besides sound. Additionally, you can observe that your check engine light is turning on.

This is because the car’s inbuilt diagnostic system finds missing parts or abnormalities in the exhaust flow. Engine sputtering, decreased performance, and an increase in hazardous emissions are other indications.

You may notice loose or hanging bits beneath your car where the converter was ripped out, and the exhaust smell may be harsher than usual. If you see any of these symptoms, you should get inspected and have repairs done right away.

How much a stolen catalytic convertor cost?

A stolen catalytic converter can yield a wide range of profits for the burglar. The majority of catalytic converters sell for $75 to $1,000, depending on the metal content and the kind of vehicle they originated from.

Many converters make about $200 apiece on average, which may not seem like much, but when a criminal can steal multiple in a single night, the earnings soon mount.

Because hybrid and luxury cars have higher percentages of rhodium and palladium, some of their converters can produce larger amounts.

The amount that victims must spend to replace the stolen part, however, is far greater than the money that criminals make.

Most drivers will wind up paying multiple times as much as the thief made, not just for the part but also for labour and, in certain situations, fixing any further damage that was caused during the theft.

One of the main causes of catalytic converter theft’s rise in importance, particularly in regions where law enforcement is already overburdened, is the disparity between victim expenses and thief earnings.

What to do if the catalytic convertor is stolen from your car?

Safety and documentation should be your top priorities in the event that your catalytic converter is taken.

Steer clear of driving the car, especially lengthy distances, as this could harm the engine or break local pollution regulations. To report the theft and find out if your policy covers it, get in touch with your insurance provider right away.

Comprehensive auto insurance will often cover the cost of the replacement, but it’s a good idea to double-check the details with your provider.

Also, you should get your car examined by a reputable mechanic and report the incident to the police.

The mechanic can start the replacement procedure after determining whether any other parts were harmed. The part could need to be ordered, which could leave you without your car for days or even weeks, depending on the make and model.

Researching and purchasing anti-theft gadgets is a smart idea while you’re waiting to avoid another loss of this nature.