Is it easy to steal a catalytic converter?

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.

Which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen?

How can I protect my catalytic converter from being stolen?

Which cars are least likely to have their catalytic converters stolen?

American brands such as Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler tend to have less valuable catalytic converters and are therefore less likely to get stolen. Some Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, and Subaru models also fall into this category. Many brands used cat designs that limited how many precious metals were inside.

How are catalytic converters stolen so quickly?

It's easy for thieves to get catalytic converters, especially under lifted cars like trucks, because they can get in and out quickly, avoiding detection. BRYAN, Texas — Catalytic converter thefts continue to rise. Thieves are looking to take any make, model - really, it doesn't matter.

Seconds to steal a catalytic converter

Does insurance cover stolen catalytic converters?

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.

Can you drive a car if the catalytic converter is stolen?

As part of a car's exhaust system, the catalytic converter helps to reduce air pollution. You will not harm your engine or your car in any way by driving without a catalytic converter.

What vehicles have the most valuable catalytic converters?

According to data from 2020, the most expensive catalytic converter belonged to the Ferrari F430, with a mind-popping $3,770.00 price tag. Moreover, the F430 needed two of them, so a full replacement would run car owners $7,540 before labor costs.

How much is a stolen catalytic converter worth?

A catalytic converter stolen from some hybrid models can sell online for as much as $1,500 because it contains a larger amount of rhodium, which is resistant to corrosion and currently sells for more than $15,000 an ounce.

How do you know if catalytic converter is stolen?

How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter?

Catalytic converter replacement isn't cheap. For most vehicles, the average cost of a catalytic converter repair is between $945 and $2475 including parts and labor. The catalytic converter cost itself can be up to $2250 of that. That might be close to your car's value or more!

Why thieves want your catalytic converter?

Thieves are motivated to steal catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, such as platinum and rhodium. Then, the thieves often sell the car parts for money on the black market. “What they're doing is stealing the platinum out of them and the rhodium,” exhaust shop owner Aaron Harker said.

What is the most popular catalytic converter stolen?

Carfax data shows that the Ford F-Series trucks that sit atop the national list for converter theft (their high ground clearance makes them especially easy to purloin in this regard) are the most targeted models in all parts of the country except western U.S. states.

Why are Toyota catalytic converters stolen?

Currently, Prius is being targeted because catalytic converters of hybrids need more of the precious metals to work properly because they don't get as hot as those installed on conventional vehicles, since the combustion engines of hybrids only run part of the time.

Why are Honda catalytic converters stolen?

Catalytic converters are often stolen because they are valuable to scrap metal dealers. These converters contain precious metals like rhodium and platinum.

What is the street value of a catalytic converter?

While the “street value” of a catalytic converter can range between a mere $100 to $700 depending on the type of vehicle it's stolen from, replacing a stolen one will cost you a lot more. With labor, a catalytic converter replacement is estimated at between $1,000 and $3,000.

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

According to The Pew Charitable Trusts, a global non-profit organization with a focus in public policy, criminals typically sell stolen catalytic converters for $50-$500 to internet buyers or scrapyards.

What happens if my catalytic converter is stolen?

If you find your catalytic converter is missing, you should immediately contact the authorities. They will check local security cameras and work to see if they can help catch the person who stole your converter. Additionally, a police report may be essential to your insurance coverage.

What does your car sound like without a catalytic converter?

You'll notice a loud rumbling or roaring sound when you turn on the engine if your catalytic converter is missing. This sound gets louder when you hit the gas. The exhaust is not working correctly, so the vehicle also drives rougher than usual, often with a sense of sputtering as you change speed.

What does it sound like when catalytic converter is stolen?

When a catalytic converter is removed from a vehicle, it makes the vehicle sound much more like an airplane than a normal passenger car. Since it is hard to mistake, the volume of your vehicle is a clear sign letting you know if your catalytic converter has been stolen or not.

How many catalytic converters are stolen each year?

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were 3,389 reported catalytic converter thefts in 2019. That reported number skyrocketed to 14,433 in 2020.

How much gold is in a catalytic converter?

Catalytic converters contain Platinum, Rhodium and Palladium. However, there is no gold in catalytic converters.

Where are catalytic converters found?

In today's cars the catalytic converter is found underneath the vehicle towards the exhaust outlet, a position that makes it accessible to thieves who can cut the whole unit out from underneath the car.

Where can I get the most money for my catalytic converter?

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.