Catalytic converters are one of the most valuable parts of a car, mainly due to the precious metals that are contained inside them. Because of this, they’re often a particularly useful part that so many of our customers look for when scouring our online car auctions. Sadly, on the flipside it also means that catalytic converters are also a prime target for thieves. In case you’re wondering whether your car has got one, the answer is that it almost certainly has! So, here we’ll explain exactly what a catalytic converter is, and explore a few of the best steps you can take to prevent it from being stolen.
What is a catalytic converter?
A catalytic converter, sometimes referred to simply as a cat, is an important part of a car’s fuel system. It turns harmful pollutants and emissions that come from the engine into carbon dioxide and water vapour, making it better for the environment.
But how does it do this? The catalyst substances cause a chemical reaction against the emissions. Without it, all these harmful emissions would simply be released into the atmosphere, causing devastating environmental damage.
How long do they last?
Catalytic converters are extremely long-lasting. They last for around 10 years and some even last throughout to the end of a car’s life. However, there is a possibility of it failing earlier, especially if you only take short journeys where it doesn’t have time to start working as it should.
Why are they so valuable?
When you take a catalytic converter, you are likely to find platinum, rhodium and palladium inside, all of which are very valuable metals. Palladium is known to be more valuable than gold per gram, so it’s easy to see why this will be a prime target for thieves.
Why you shouldn’t remove them
However, when it is opened, the chemicals inside are extremely toxic, so it is not recommended that you do so. Because of this it should only be removed and recycled by certified experts in scrap car recycling.
The price that it costs to sell them is only a fraction compared to the price to get it fitted again. In some cases, the removal of a catalytic converter can cause the whole car to be written off.
How to stop catalytic converters from being stolen
Unfortunately, catalytic converter thefts are becoming increasingly common. Because of this, there are a couple of steps worth taking to reduce this risk.
Ensure the converters are secured
By making sure the converter is secured tightly, by bolting and welding it shut, you can increase the difficulty that it will take to steal them.
Fitting an alarm
You can now fit tilt sensing alarms to a car which will cause a sound to emit, letting you know if it is getting jacked up ready to be stolen. If you don’t want to pay for the additional cost of a tilt sensing alarm, you could also simply park more closely to curbs and walls to make it as difficult as possible to get to the catalytic converter.
Mark with serial numbers
To stop the chances of thieves stealing and selling them on easily, one quick way to stop them in their tracks is by marking them with serial numbers. This will make it extremely hard to sell them on and may put them off from trying to take it in the first place. In fact, some companies will even provide a service that will input this serial number into the police database.
Use a protective casing
For providing added security, why not add a protective casing that goes over the cat, stopping thieves from being able to touch it. Many companies offer this service, as it provides an excellent deterrent while ensuring that the cat can still perform effectively.
Stopping catalytic converters being stolen from cars
Now you know what a catalytic converter is and the different steps that you can take to reduce the chance of theft occurring.
No matter what catalytic converter problems you’re having, RAW2K can help. Whether you are looking to scrap your vehicle and want a place that will remove and dispose of the catalytic converter in the most environmentally friendly way possible, or if you want a second-hand vehicle from online car auctions and are wondering where to go, you’re in the right place.
At RAW2K we have plenty of car options for you to choose from and our experts will be able to provide you with quality advice, no matter the question you have.
From trusted and reliable car manufacturers such as Toyota, Peugeot, Volkswagen and BMW available and much more, why not take a look at our site today and see what appeals to you.
