How do people make money on stolen catalytic converters?

Once they cut the “cat” out of your vehicle, they will sell it to junkyards, metal dealers, and others who might want to make a profit themselves. Fortunately, there are a few things to do to prevent the theft of your own vehicle's catalytic converter.

How do thieves make money on catalytic converters?

Catalytic converter theft continues to rise nationwide. Thieves can steal this antipollution device in minutes, sell it to scrap metal dealers and receive hundreds of dollars for the precious metals it contains.

How much is a stolen catalytic converter worth on the black market?

Victims are left with an expensive dilemma that can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Meanwhile, thieves fence these stolen devices to middlemen who buy the converters for between $100 and $300 per unit and then turn them around to recyclers who net even bigger profits.

What do people do with stolen catalytic converters?

Rhodium could sell for an average of $18,000 per ounce in 2021, at one point during the year selling for as much as $26,000. When a catalytic converter is stolen, these precious metals can be recovered and sold. There are some companies that will purchase converters and pay anywhere from $140 to $1,500.

Is it worth reporting a stolen catalytic converter to insurance?

Is a stolen catalytic converter covered by insurance? If you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, then you're typically covered against catalytic converter theft. Comprehensive coverage will typically pay to replace the stolen catalytic converter and repair any related damage from its removal.

Understanding the wave of catalytic converter thefts

How much does a stolen catalytic converter sell for?

Catalytic converter thieves can see returns of around $150 to $1500 for a catalytic converter, depending on the type of catalytic converter stolen. Scrap yards will buy them and have their metals recovered to sell again.

What is the hardest car to steal a catalytic converter from?

The Most And The Least Targeted Cars For Converter Theft

Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, and Hyundai also limit the amount of precious metals used in the converter designs. Some of them use a converter of a different type called a “bead converter,” which doesn't have any value for thieves.

What cars are most targeted for catalytic converter theft?

How long does it take to steal a catalytic converter?

Stealing a converter takes just a few minutes and a battery-operated saw. "You slide under the car, slice through your exhaust system, and you're in and out usually within 30 seconds to a minute," Glawe said.

Which state has the most catalytic converter theft?

California is coming in at number one with the highest amount of catalytic converter thefts across the country according to a new report.

Does painting catalytic converter prevent theft?

Marking your catalytic converter with paint associates it with a jurisdiction and helps prevent theft. The markings also alert scrapyard and recycling businesses the catalytic converter may have been stolen, police add.

How fast do thieves steal catalytic converters?

Catalytic converter theft is also common because the component is mounted beneath the vehicle, making it easily accessible to thieves. With the proper tools, thieves can remove a catalytic converter in less than two minutes and profit handsomely by reselling it.

What is the easiest car to steal a catalytic converter from?

The common consensus seems to be that the Prius, Tacoma, Lexus SUVs, and the Accord are some of the most targeted cars for catalytic converter theft. So if you own one of these, make sure your car is locked up safe and sound.

Can a car run without a catalytic converter?

Technically, a car can function without a catalytic converter. However, this is not a sustainable long-term option.

Who pays the most for catalytic converters?

In short, scrap yards are your best bet for selling your catalytic converter because they will focus on the value of the metals in your cat, not your cat as an auto part.

Why do scrap yards buy stolen catalytic converters?

The Appeal of Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters contain platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The metals are expensive, and thieves sell the converters to scrap yards for several hundred dollars per piece, depending on the size of the converter and the current rate on the metals inside it.

What happens after catalytic converter is stolen?

Once the catalytic converter is missing, the exhaust manifold pushes the exhaust into the outside air. This leaves you at a high risk of inhaling the exhaust while you are driving and getting sick or worse.

Can you make a catalytic converter theft proof?

Catalytic converters are expensive to replace. You can help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate number on it, parking in well-lit areas and installing an anti-theft device.

What's the best way to steal a catalytic converter?

How Do Thieves Take Them? Unfortunately, stealing a catalytic converter is very easy to do. Thieves usually slide underneath a car with a battery-powered reciprocating saw and cut it right out of the exhaust line. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes and makes as much noise as any other power tool.

Do cat shields work?

However, when considering the cost of replacing a catalytic converter and the effectiveness of catalytic converter shields, the investment is worthwhile. In short, catalytic converter shields work and protect your vehicle.

Why are Aftermarket catalytic converters not stolen?

If your Catalytic Converter has been replaced with an aftermarket Catalytic Converter within the past few years, there is a good chance it won't be stolen. The new aftermarket Catalytic Converters don't have as much of the precious metals, so thieves typically don't take them.

Who is number 1 for catalytic converter theft?

While analyzing claims of theft nationwide, State Farm found California at the top of the list with a whopping 10,577 catalytic converter thefts reported between July 2021 and June 2022. In comparison to other states, California has significantly more of these occurrences than the rest of the nation.

How do you etch a VIN number on a catalytic converter?

The etching starts with a black “stencil” that is put on the converter, followed by a liquid, which burns a serial number into the converter once the car is running. Then, just like a house with security protection, a sticker is placed in the window to ward off potential thieves.

Do cages for catalytic converters work?

Installing a cage onto the catalytic converter/exhaust system is a great idea and a great deterrent. However it will not prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen. It will slow the thief down, but it will not stop them, especially if your vehicle is parked in an unsecured area for any extended period of time.

How much does cat Shield cost?

Made by a company called Cat Shield, the aluminum shield costs $140 plus installation. Catalytic converter theft is an epidemic in America. A study from the National Insurance Crime Bureau indicates that thefts increased by 325 percent between 2019 and 2020.