Catalytic converter
We are a family with three Toyota Prius’s – a second-generation and two third-generation cars that we have been very happy with. Until our Mk2 had the catalytic converter removed from outside our house without any alarm going off. After several emails and phone calls to Toyota I have got nowhere except being advised to keep them in a locked-up garage where possible. I’m told I can’t have a motion sensor or tilt switch integrated into the existing alarm and the best price for an aftermarket price is £450.
Tom Mcguire
The biggest target for the catalytic convertor thieves appears to be the second and third-generation Prius models (2004-2009 and 2009-2016 respectively) and second-generation Auris Hybrids (2012-2018). The position of the catalytic converter on later vehicles has been changed and this makes them less of a target. The speed with which the perpetrators remove these units is nothing shortzof Formula One pit-stop speeds.
The answer, as Toyota is aware, is to encapsulate the unit in a steel braided cage preventing the access with the pipe cutters used. Toyota have developed a CATLOC device which is between £200 and £250 (depending on model), including VAT and fitting. As this is displayed on the Official blog of Toyota GB website http://bit.ly/cm6cctc I am disappointed that they were unable to share this information with you. The address for the Catloc website is catloc.co.uk
Other firms do offer a similar device – see www.catsafe.org.uk
The theft of the catalytic converter is certainly something which is of concern and I wonder if more should not be done to prevent these thieves from having the ability to sell on the units. Someone is purchasing these stolen units to dismantle for the precious metals and if the source of the units were more thoroughly investigated by these companies the problem may be reduced.