What are they doing with all the stolen catalytic converters?

In the current market, catalytic converters can be resold to recyclers for as little as $50 or to precious metal dealers for as much as thousands of dollars per ounce, reported the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

What do they do with the stolen catalytic converters?

Thieves take the stolen Catalytic Converters to metal recyclers. The recyclers pay up to $120 for some converters for the precious metals inside them. Victims pay an average of $1,500 (or an average $250/$500 insurance deductible) to get the converter(s) replaced. But the cost can be as much as $5,000.

Where do all the stolen catalytic converters go?

Thieves target vehicles like Toyotas, Fords and Hyundais getting under the car to cut the catalytic converters, sometimes in less than a minute. The converters are then sold to junkyards and scrap yards for a couple of hundred dollars. For you to replace it though can cost over $2,000.

Why are people stealing catalytic converters How much are they worth?

According to multiple sources, money is the main motivation for people stealing catalytic converters. According to NJ.com, they have precious metals like platinum and rhodium in them that have value on the black market. Cars.com also mention that the devices have palladium.

How much are they selling stolen catalytic converters worth?

Rise in catalytic converter thefts hits La Jolla

This metal shield was installed over a replacement catalytic converter on a Toyota Prius after the original converter was stolen. A used catalytic converter can be worth about $250 to $500 in recycling, but the cost of replacing it can be many times that.

Understanding the wave of catalytic converter thefts

What cars are most targeted for catalytic converter theft?

What are the most valuable catalytic converters to steal?

The car that experiences the most catalytic converter theft is the Toyota Prius, a very common low-emissions vehicle. A car owner of a Prius made in 2009 or earlier should be particularly wary, as the older models have a higher concentration of that precious metal than newer models.

Why are Toyota catalytic converters stolen?

Thanks to higher prices for platinum, rhodium, palladium and other metals found in the components, catalytic converter thefts rose from about 100 a month in 2018 to more than 1,200 a month in 2020, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Why are Honda catalytic converters stolen?

Why do thieves target Honda cars? Honda cars are a target because they have hybrid systems. The catalytic converters of Honda cars will fetch more price when resold. Thieves who remove them with jacks and angle grinders find them relatively easy to steal.

Who pays the most for catalytic converters?

Which Catalytic Converters Are The Most Expensive? According to data from 2020, the most expensive catalytic converter belonged to the Ferrari F430, with a mind-popping $3,770.00 price tag.

Does insurance cover a stolen catalytic converter?

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.

How long does it take to replace stolen catalytic converter?

Experienced thieves can remove a catalytic converter in one to two minutes using basic tools. What can net a thief hundreds of dollars at a scrapyard or recycler can then cost you thousands of dollars to replace, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

How much can you sell a catalytic converter for?

This varies by car and the condition of your catalytic converter. Still, on average, scrap catalytic converters are worth between 300 $ to 1500 $ when sold as scrap at your local wrecking service. In today's world, catalytic converters are no longer being sold as part of a car.

How much is a Toyota catalytic converter worth?

Toyota catalytic converters' worth can range from $75 and $700 when sold as scrap. The worth of a catalytic converter can vary depending on the car's make and model. Some of the most valuable catalytic converters come from the Toyota Prius.

Can a car run without a catalytic converter?

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.

How much does it cost to replace a stolen catalytic converter?

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. It can cost you on average up to $2000 to replace a catalytic converter, and it is illegal to drive your car without one.

How do I protect my car from catalytic converter theft?

How much is a Honda CRV catalytic converter?

The average cost for a Honda CR-V catalytic converter replacement is between $2,059 and $2,092. Labor costs are estimated between $122 and $154 while parts are priced at $1,938.

How much is a Prius catalytic converter worth?

Current used. The average current price for used toyota prius catalytic converter is $410 from the last 127 listings.

How much do thieves get for a Prius catalytic converter?

Data available from marketplace website AutoCatalystMarket.com shows that the average scrap price for a GD3+EA6 catalytic converter found in a second-generation Prius is $1,022.

How much platinum is in a Prius catalytic converter?

Because catalytic converters contain three different Platinum Group Metals – platinum, palladium, and rhodium – they can be very valuable. On average, there are between 3-7 grams of platinum in a standard catalytic converter, but the amount varies based on manufacturer and model.

What cars do they steal catalytic converters from?

Those vehicles most often targeted for catalytic converter theft during the past three years in California are the Toyota Prius, Honda Element, Honda Accord, Ford Econoline, Honda CRV, Ford F-250, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Ford Excursion and the Toyota Tacoma.

What is a Prius catalytic converter?

As an ultra low-emissions vehicle, the Prius has a catalytic converter that contains more of the rhodium, palladium and platinum that render pollutants harmless. Trucks and SUVs are often hit by thieves because it's easy to slide under the vehicle rather than jack it up.

How much platinum is in a catalytic converter?

There are between 3-7 grams of platinum group metals in a standard catalytic converter, but the amount varies based on manufacturer and model. In terms of the extent to which they are used, there are generally around 3 to 7 grams of PGMs in a standard catalytic converter.