Prius catalytic converters being stolen

n97 mini

There was a lad on Joe Duffy earlier saying the CC was stolen from his Prius. It was cut out while his car was parked in an industrial estate. Reminded me of the video below.

He also said that there have been a number of other Priuses suffer the same fate, including in shopping centre car parks in broad daylight, and that it's a particular problem in the southwest of Dublin.

Is there something special about the CC in the Prius?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfjUaGI4Xyc

KCross

He wasnt even in a rush to get out of there.

It didnt sound like he got it cut cleanly either. I bet he cut through some of the undercarriage of the car.... That'll be an expensive repair!

zilog_jones

n97 mini wrote: »

Is there something special about the CC in the Prius?

It seems to be with the Gen 2 only - apparently they are easy to access, and are either quite well built or have good scrap value due to platinum content. I think it's been happening in the UK and California for some time.

I think it might be more difficult with the newer models as the exhaust heat recovery system (Gen 2 doesn't have this) is downstream from the cat, so may be in the way (haven't had a good look myself).

serox_21

To animate this thread,
My catalytic converter have been stollen last evening from my 2nd gen Prius in Charlestown Shopping Center underground parking.

Does anyone have an idea on how much the replacement can cost.
Don't know the full damage yet, all I can see is a empty space and few wires hanging (from O2 sensor)

antoinolachtnai

serox_21 wrote: »

To animate this thread,
My catalytic converter have been stollen last evening from my 2nd gen Prius in Charlestown Shopping Center underground parking.

Does anyone have an idea on how much the replacement can cost.
Don't know the full damage yet, all I can see is a empty space and few wires hanging (from O2 sensor)

It cost me about 620 and they were able to do it fairly quickly. It was in Harold’s cross.

serox_21

Can you share service name where you replaced it?
I was expecting to be above 1000€

antoinolachtnai

serox_21 wrote: »

Can you share service name where you replaced it?
I was expecting to be above 1000€

https://www.autoexhausts.ie/ - nearer Crumlin actually.

Toyota are looking for 1800. But they didn’t actually have any stock so that option was particularly unattractive.

What looks like a suitable unit is available on Micksgarage.ie if you have a friendly local garage. The problem is that if there is damage due to the cutting then the local garage might not be able to fit it easily. Auto exhausts seem like the sort of lads who would not be afraid to bring out the welding gear if needed.

serox_21

Thanks, I'll give them a call.

Called the guys from auto exhaust and got a quote of 550.
Thanks @antoinolachtnai

steves2

Got my cc stolen off my gen 2, going to replace it but does this happen on newer Prius models? Haven't seen a definitive answer anywhere

zilog_jones

Yes it is happening on newer models, but to a lesser extent. I believe access is easier on the gen 2, but not impossible on the 3/4. Toyota GB have made "Catloc" security devices available for Gen 3/4 as well as 2, but I asked Toyota Ireland about this and they don't seem interested in selling such products.

steves2

zilog_jones wrote: »

Yes it is happening on newer models, but to a lesser extent. I believe access is easier on the gen 2, but not impossible on the 3/4. Toyota GB have made "Catloc" security devices available for Gen 3/4 as well as 2, but I asked Toyota Ireland about this and they don't seem interested in selling such products.

Toyota and their attitude to this are awful. I think my local Toyota service station are quite content with this happening, guaranteed work for their mechanics. I thought that the newer models wouldn't be targeted but if Toyota haven't rectified the issue on newer models then people shouldn't give them the business

If they are being taken off with sockets/spanners then the likes of epoxy putty (it'll make actual replacement in case of failure a bit harder too of course) can deter them but if they are cutting it off then not much can be done easily.

charlieIRL

Augeo wrote: »

If they are being taken off with sockets/spanners then the likes of epoxy putty (it'll make actual replacement in case of failure a bit harder too of course) can deter them but if they are cutting it off then not much can be done easily.

Some are being cut off - and in broad daylight as well. My sister Shogun was done a few years ago outside a busy hotel in the middle of the day!!

n97 mini

steves2 wrote: »

Got my cc stolen off my gen 2, going to replace it but does this happen on newer Prius models? Haven't seen a definitive answer anywhere

2nd generation seems to be particularly popular, as is the Honda Jazz. Dunno why. Watched a video earlier where the thieves knocked out a security light on a neighbouring house, threatened people walking past and when they were done, gave the finger to the CCTV camera. That was a Jazz.

atilladehun

My Prius was hit last night. When I look on Mick's garage there's one for 220, one for 380 and one for 1000.

Anyone know the difference in those?

steves2

atilladehun wrote: »

My Prius was hit last night. When I look on Mick's garage there's one for 220, one for 380 and one for 1000.

Anyone know the difference in those?

Is yours a 2nd gen? Did they cause damage getting it out? That sucks, mine was taken last week, caught them in the act too.

Lantus

It's just awful.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/feb/01/catalytic-converter-thefts-hybrid-car-insurance-toyota-prius

charlieIRL

charlieIRL wrote: »

Some are being cut off -......

I know

Augeo wrote: »

.......... if they are cutting it off then not much can be done easily.

ebbsy

Avoid parking in the Red Cow Luas.

They had half cut off mine. I was lucky.

sbsquarepants

Why the prius?

I know a guy who had his robbed about 2 weeks ago, from outside his house in Tallaght - he said 3 were taken from the immediate area on the same night, all prius's.

I'm not sure where he got the replacement but he said it cost him €1200

sbsquarepants

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Why the prius?........

£300+ in scrap/black market worth of platinum, palladium and rhodium stuff.

sbsquarepants

Augeo wrote: »

£300+ in scrap/black market worth of platinum, palladium and rhodium stuff.

Does that differ from other makes though?

zilog_jones

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Why the prius?

Ease of access and known quality/quantity of the rare metals in them. Some Hondas are common targets too.

sbsquarepants

sbsquarepants wrote: »

Does that differ from other makes though?

Hybrids have more of that stuff than non hybrids in the cat' converter. Prius is quite common relative to other hybrids to it's the most talked about.

charlieIRL

Part of the problem is these guys advertising on DoneDeal etc looking to buy catalytic converters, no questions asked.

If you have a demand, the gougers will supply them.

steves2

charlieIRL wrote: »

Part of the problem is these guys advertising on DoneDeal etc looking to buy catalytic converters, no questions asked.

If you have a demand, the gougers will supply them.

Well I think it's a certain group of people responsible for most of it if you know what I mean boss

bliger

mine was stolen few days ago its 2nd gen prius it was unscrew from the front and cut off at the back . Thinking to get some sort cover/shield to prevent in the future, but not many ideas yet.

antoinolachtnai

bliger wrote: »

mine was stolen few days ago its 2nd gen prius it was unscrew from the front and cut off at the back . Thinking to get some sort cover/shield to prevent in the future, but not many ideas yet.

I am told (by the man who fitted replacement) that there is no market for aftermarket catalytic converters and they are unlikely to be stolen.

atilladehun

steves2 wrote: »

Is yours a 2nd gen? Did they cause damage getting it out? That sucks, mine was taken last week, caught them in the act too.

Yeah, 2nd gen.

I haven't had a chance to bring it to the mechanic yet. Think it's a clean cut.

Have a price to supply, fit and do the sensor for 550.

Can buy them in the motor factors for 280 but still need a couple of hundred for labour. Needs a lift, weeks and time.

Anyone ever got insurance to cover it?

antoinolachtnai

atilladehun wrote: »

Yeah, 2nd gen.

I haven't had a chance to bring it to the mechanic yet. Think it's a clean cut.

Have a price to supply, fit and do the sensor for 550.

Can buy them in the motor factors for 280 but still need a couple of hundred for labour. Needs a lift, weeks and time.

Anyone ever got insurance to cover it?

At 550 it just doesn’t seem to be worth claiming on insurance.

Lantus

atilladehun wrote: »

Yeah, 2nd gen.

I haven't had a chance to bring it to the mechanic yet. Think it's a clean cut.

Have a price to supply, fit and do the sensor for 550.

Can buy them in the motor factors for 280 but still need a couple of hundred for labour. Needs a lift, weeks and time.

Anyone ever got insurance to cover it?

Wouldn't do that. See link I posted on previous page where insurers are refusing insurance to prius owners in UK. Once refused you must always declare.

enricoh

charlieIRL wrote: »

Part of the problem is these guys advertising on DoneDeal etc looking to buy catalytic converters, no questions asked.

If you have a demand, the gougers will supply them.

Don't suppose the cops could put up a few ads n snare lads. Any fella with a couple of prius cats has to be dodgy. Wishful thinking I suppose!

serox_21

at 550 do they put in a new aftermarket one? When I had mine replaced I forgot to ask. But I would prefer a second hand one as new aftermarket are not that great quality.At least at NCT they won't test emissions

bliger

atilladehun wrote: »

Anyone ever got insurance to cover it?

Mine was covered by insurance

Atlantic Dawn

Some thief's less lucky...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

serox_21

Have you got a premium increase for insurance next year?

Soarer

serox_21 wrote: »

at 550 do they put in a new aftermarket one? When I had mine replaced I forgot to ask. But I would prefer a second hand one as new aftermarket are not that great quality.At least at NCT they won't test emissions

Could you just leave it out if they don't test?

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Some thief's less lucky...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

Delighted.

bliger

Just thinking if i get stainless mesh and screw/weld on the whole perimeter is it good idea, but i dont know the sizes yet

kanuseeme

bliger wrote: »

Just thinking if i get stainless mesh and screw/weld on the whole perimeter is it good idea, but i dont know the sizes yet

Waste of time and money, a battery powered angle grinder would slice through that mesh the same as a hot knife through butter.

A sheet of metal like this would be better https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Catalytic-converter-security-cover-plate-for-Prius-Prius-Plus-Auris-Cat-Lock/233386255532?hash=item3656e7a4ac:g:96MAAOSwpJRdu0bZ

I would be looking at how its attached, slicing the heads of 4 bolts and its off,

A 4 inch angle grinder with a 1 mm cutting disk is surprisingly fast to cut metal.

The best way I can think of is to put a pipe around the exhaust system that you cannot rotate.

The pipe would have to be 8 or more inches in diameter to stop the 4 inches of the disc from cutting through it or cutting half way and then starting on the other side to finish the cut.

or better yet is to leave the car in neutral and hope it falls on him.

..... Prius... Can't be left in neutral.

zilog_jones

Yeah, it'll go into Park automatically when you turn off the car. No need to set the parking brake on a flat road though...

endacl

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Some thief's less lucky...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

Like to think the owner got back and kicked the jack and it wasn’t an accident.

calistro

Returned from holidays this evening to find my CC gone from a Subaru Forester, in Dublin airport Blue carpark, 5 from there in a week apparently. Think this model had 2 CC's, a pre Cat and then the main, but need to verify this.

1874

enricoh wrote: »

Don't suppose the cops could put up a few ads n snare lads. Any fella with a couple of prius cats has to be dodgy. Wishful thinking I suppose!

I doubt the people stealing these are replying to ads for their sale, they already know where they are going and have something lined up for them.

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Some thief's less lucky...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

Awful, just awful, by which I mean no sympathy for them, scum, forcing people to foot the bill for repairs.

Not sure how durable the catloc aftermarket item is, but its fairly cheap.
I guess the japanese didnt think to build a defense of this into the car, probably less likely/unlikely to happen so it never dawned on them. You think Toyota would be all over this, making them less accessible behind a more durable frame and covered so not convenient to access, especially from the kind of angle/position/route likely to be taken by someone up to no good, maybe inaccessible studs that couldnt be accessed to be cut off/or even have to be drilled out to be replaced, covered in a hardened plug.

Id really considered the hybrid option a likely one, seems to be plenty of hybrids out there now, is it more likely on them than other vehicles, except maybe vehicles that already a bit higher like SUVs and Jeep types, easier to access.

stesaurus

Girlfriend was thinking of getting a catloc for hers but Toyota dealers don't seem to be interested in helping her out.
So I was thinking of putting in a steel plate and wrapping it in a sheet of kevlar. That should confuse and deter anyone.

antoinolachtnai

1874 wrote: »

I doubt the people stealing these are replying to ads for their sale, they already know where they are going and have something lined up for them.





Awful, just awful, by which I mean no sympathy for them, scum, forcing people to foot the bill for repairs.

Not sure how durable the catloc aftermarket item is, but its fairly cheap.
I guess the japanese didnt think to build a defense of this into the car, probably less likely/unlikely to happen so it never dawned on them. You think Toyota would be all over this, making them less accessible behind a more durable frame and covered so not convenient to access, especially from the kind of angle/position/route likely to be taken by someone up to no good, maybe inaccessible studs that couldnt be accessed to be cut off/or even have to be drilled out to be replaced, covered in a hardened plug.

Id really considered the hybrid option a likely one, seems to be plenty of hybrids out there now, is it more likely on them than other vehicles, except maybe vehicles that already a bit higher like SUVs and Jeep types, easier to access.

The reason these cats aren’t further protected is, I believe, that when these cars were built and designed, cordless angle grinders were still pretty rare.

1874

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

The reason these cats aren’t further protected is, I believe, that when these cars were built and designed, cordless angle grinders were still pretty rare.

Im not convinced, there are handheld tools that could be used to cut exhausts. I think that toyota just didnt consider it,more a cultural thing imo than anything. No doubt handheld cordless power tools make it easier/quicker,

User1998

Prius Cat being sold on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/179820283334829/

zilog_jones

Looks new? Also I propose we call them "highbreds" from now on.

Lantus

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

The reason these cats aren’t further protected is, I believe, that when these cars were built and designed, cordless angle grinders were still pretty rare.

The metals were not worth much at the time compared to today. Its there value that warrants forced removal. If steel prices were to increase by a factor of 50 tomorrow boot panels, bonnets and doors would be getting ré purposed without issue.

User1998

User1998 wrote: »

Prius Cat being sold on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/179820283334829/

A new, aftermarket item.
Doesn't look stolen, at least not from a car anyway.