How to prevent catalytic converter theft: safety precautions for your car
Whatever make or model your car is, it will have a catalytic converter that reduces the harmful emissions from the exhaust. This means your car is also at risk of catalytic converter theft, where criminals steal your car's catalytic converter to resell the precious metals that it's made out of.
If yours has been stolen and you need a replacement, head over to our catalytic converter section and we’ll be able to match one for your vehicle.
In this guide, we'll cover what a catalytic converter is, how it works, why it's a target for theft, and how you can take security measures to lower the risk of yours being stolen.
- What Is a Catalytic Converter?
- Two-Way Catalytic Converters
- Three-Way Catalytic Converters
- Three-Way Plus Catalytic Converters
- Why Do Catalytic Converters Get Stolen?
- How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
- Do You Need to Replace Your Catalytic Converter?
- Repairing Your Catalytic Converter
- How to Choose the Right Catalytic Converter
- Catalytic Converter Theft Know-How
What Is a Catalytic Converter?
Before we talk about catalytic converter theft, it's important to understand exactly what a catalytic converter is and what it does for your car.
Catalytic converters take the harmful gases your engine emits as exhaust fumes and change them to less harmful gases as they exit the exhaust pipe. This means they take substances like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons and turn them into water vapour and carbon dioxide. This improves air quality and reduces the impact of car emissions on the environment and our health.
To do this, the catalytic converter uses chemical reactions. Usually, the converter consists of a honeycomb structure covered with a substance that acts as the catalyst. The catalyst initiates the chemical reaction, changing the exhaust gases from the exhaust pipe into less damaging fumes.
There are different types of catalytic converters, and it's helpful to know which type your car is fitted with. Your car's manufacture date should tell you what kind you have, as the technology has changed over the years.
Two-Way Catalytic Converters
Two-way catalytic converters, or 'oxidation' converters, are designed to eliminate hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. If your car was manufactured in 1980 or before, your converter should be this model.
Three-Way Catalytic Converters
If your catalytic converter is a three-way model, this means that in addition to eliminating hydrocarbons, it also gets rid of nitrogen oxides. This is considered the most efficient converter type, and it's been in everyday use since 1981. So, if your car is modern, it has a three-way catalytic converter.
Three-Way Plus Catalytic Converters
Also known as a 'dual-bed' converter, a three-way plus model uses injected air to complete some chemical reactions and precious metals to complete others. This system was phased out of car manufacture in the early 1980s as three-way catalytic converters were more efficient.
Why Do Catalytic Converters Get Stolen?
Catalytic converters are a target for theft because they contain precious metals that the thieves can sell for high prices. These metals are usually rhodium, palladium, and platinum, but other metals are also attractive to thieves. This type of crime has increased exponentially in recent years and continues to prove a problem for car owners and the police.
Converters are popular amongst thieves because not only do they contain desirable metals, but they are also pretty easy to steal. Criminals simply cut the converter off the exhaust pipe, which is a relatively easy, opportunistic crime. Hybrid cars are at particular risk for theft because their catalysts typically contain a higher concentration of precious metals, making them an excellent target for the resale market.
How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
You can do many things to prevent catalytic converter theft, and choosing a combination of them can make your car much safer. Here are some pointers on how to make your vehicle less attractive to thieves and avoid the hassle and expense of your converter being stolen. Here are four surefire ways to help prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen.
Park Your Car So the Catalytic Converter Is Hard to Access
Parking your car with the exhaust close to a wall, fence, or kerb makes it more difficult for criminals to reach under the car for the catalytic converter, and so is an obstacle to theft. The best bet is parking inside a locked garage, but when that isn't possible, choose well-lit and highly populated areas.
If you park your vehicle in public, try to parallel park your car with other vehicles or with the bonnet facing a wall. The catalytic converter is located at the front of the vehicle with the exhaust pipe, so blocking the bonnet off can be effective. You should also avoid parking your car half on the pavement and half on the road because the car's angle will make it easier to get underneath it.
Lastly, if you are in a fleet of vehicles, park the high-clearance cars in the middle of the fleet and the low-clearance vehicles at the edges. Higher clearance vehicles are those further from the ground (such as SUVs), and it is easier for thieves to get underneath these, so lower clearance cars can provide a barrier.
Install a Security System on Your Driveway
If you cannot park your car in a garage, consider using a security system for your drive. A driveway alarm and sensor will detect movement on your drive and alert you to any imminent theft.
When looking for a security system, you should always look for the Secured by Design (SBD) accreditation. This is a sign that the product is secure enough to be recommended by UK police forces, and you are getting a more effective product.
Mark Your Catalytic Converter With a Serial Number
Some garages can etch a unique serial number onto your catalytic converter. This allows it to be easily identifiable if it's stolen. The serial number will come with a matching sticker that you can place in your car window stating that the catalytic converter is marked, deterring thieves.
Modify Your Catalytic Converter to Be More Secure
If you live in an area where catalytic converter theft is widespread, or you regularly travel and park in unfamiliar places, consider additional security measures that can be added to your car.
You can purchase devices that fix to your catalytic converter to make it harder to steal. These are usually clamps or cages and are pretty simple to fit onto your converter. Better still, you can ask a mechanic to weld your catalytic converter to your exhaust, making it much more time-consuming for someone to remove.
Do You Need to Replace Your Catalytic Converter?
Catalytic converters are built to last and often don't need replacing for 10 years or more. However, despite a long lifespan, they still need to be checked regularly by a mechanic to ensure they are working optimally.
Check Your Catalytic Converter Regularly
Problems that can occur in your converter are carbon build-ups leading to it being clogged up and the overheating and damage that comes with wear and tear. You should regularly check that your converter works by getting an annual MOT and service. Most modern cars also have a monitor that will show you a red light if the emissions from the car are above a certain level, making this easier.
If you only use your car for short journeys, consider cleaning your converter, as short drives mean the converter won't reach its optimum working temperature before being switched off.
Repairing Your Catalytic Converter
Sometimes, you might find that the pipe adjoining your catalytic converter has become damaged, but the catalytic converter is working correctly. In this case, you can use a catalytic converter repair pipe to replace this specific part without replacing the entire system.
If you have problems with your exhaust, but your catalytic converter isn't to blame, try checking our ‘Car Exhaust Smoke Guide’ for some direction on what might be going wrong.
How to Choose the Right Catalytic Converter
It would be best if you chose your catalytic converter based on the make and model of your car, including the date it was manufactured. It's vital to get the right one to fit your vehicle and perform to the highest standard while driving.
At GSF Car Parts, we've developed a product searching tool to find the right parts based on your make and model of car. Simply go to our catalytic converter page and enter your registration number to see the best converter choices for you.
When you have chosen your new converter, make sure to have it installed by a garage if you are not confident about carrying out the procedure yourself. Your catalytic converter needs to meet government emission regulations for your car to be roadworthy, so it's critical to install it correctly.
Catalytic Converter Theft Know-How
Catalytic converter theft can seem difficult to prevent, but by taking some simple measures when parking and planning your vehicle's security, you can make your car much safer. For more tips, tricks and repair advice, head to the GFS Car Parts auto knowledge hub.
The information in this article is intended only as a guide. GSF Car Parts would always recommend that you consult a qualified mechanic if you need clarification on your catalytic converter's upkeep or safety.
Shop Catalytic Converters at GSF Car Parts Online and In-Store
All our catalytic converters are from trusted brands in the motoring industry, so you can count on them to be reliable and of excellent quality. Plus, our low-price promise means you can always expect great value, too.
We offer free UK delivery on all online orders over £25, plus 60-day returns*. We also know you want to get your car up and running as soon as possible, which is why we offer a Click and Collect service that allows you to get your new catalytic converter in just an hour.
So, buy catalytic converters from us with confidence today. Or if you're close to one of our 180 store locations across the UK & Ireland, drop by. Our experienced staff will be able to direct you to the correct part for your vehicle.
