Why do thieves steal catalytic converters?

Why are people stealing them? Thieves target catalytic converters because of the value of the metals found inside the devices. Catalytic converters are typically made up of three precious metals: platinum, palladium and rhodium. The value of all three metals have risen sharply in price in the last decade.

What cars are most likely to have catalytic converters stolen?

How do I stop thieves from stealing my catalytic converter?

What do thieves do with stolen catalytic?

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.

How much is a stolen catalytic converter worth?

Thieves can make anywhere from $25 to $300 for a standard catalytic converter, and ones from hybrid vehicles can sell for up to $1,400. These parts are also relatively easy to access from under the vehicle.

Understanding the wave of catalytic converter thefts

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.

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.

Why is a catalytic converter so valuable?

Why are catalytic converters becoming an endangered species? Because they contain three valuable metals - platinum, palladium, and rhodium - making them worth hundreds, even thousands of dollars, stolen or not. It's the rhodium thieves are after. It's very rare, very expensive and has some strange properties.

What year cars are targeted for catalytic converter theft?

While it's a no-brainer that we can expect the most popular models of cars and trucks to be prime targets for catalytic converter theft. According to a recent CarFax post, nationwide, 10 popular targets are: 1. 1985-2021 Ford F-Series pickup trucks (F-150, F-250, etc.)

How easy is it 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.

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.

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.

Can you drive a car 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 gold is in a catalytic converter?

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

How do I know if my catalytic converter was stolen?

The first sign of a stolen catalytic converter is incredibly loud vehicle noises. You will find that when driving without your catalytic converter, it will sound like your vehicle is roaring—especially when starting or giving it gas.

What catalytic converters are being stolen?

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.

How much is a Ford catalytic converter worth?

Giving your Ford F250 a new catalytic converter will cost you $2,800, making it the most expensive Ford cat in the market. However, if you wish to sell a Ford F250 cat, you won't get a good value out of it. The scrap value of the F250 cat is $5-$10. You might get $25 if you are lucky enough.

Why do scrap yards buy catalytic converters?

Thieves are targeting the devices because some of the devices can valuable metals, like 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.

Why are Prius catalytic converters so expensive?

“The demand is high for catalytic converters, and they seem to know which ones command the highest prices, like those on the older Priuses.” Prices have soared for metals like platinum, rhodium, palladium and others, due to lower mining production in recent years, a trend that was exacerbated by the pandemic.

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.

What is the most popular catalytic converter stolen?

The top cars targeted by catalytic converter thieves in the West are: 2001-21 Toyota Prius. 1985-2021 Ford F-Series. 1989-2020 Honda Accord.

What vehicle is the hardest to steal a catalytic converter?

Catalytic converters are inside the engine compartment of newer cars like Honda's 2015 Accord and Jazz models, making it more difficult for thieves to steal them. All the big car companies have converters that aren't worth a lot of money.

Why are Prius catalytic converters being stolen?

Car experts say since the Prius is a hybrid, the catalytic converter corrodes less than on other cars, keeping the precious metal coating in better shape. It's also one of the most expensive to replace, costing between $2700 and $4100. Thieves steal catalytic converters to get the precious metals rhodium and platinum.