How do you prevent catalytic converter theft with an anti-theft protection plate ?

Every year, several hundred (or thousands) of car owners are confronted with catalyst theft. But what is the reason for the popularity of this device, which is designed to reduce pollution from internal combustion cars ? What are the really effective ways of preventing such theft ? How does the anti-theft protection plate really work ?

How to explain the theft of a catalyst ?

First of all, let's put things into perspective. The purpose of a catalytic converter, on both petrol and diesel cars, is to reduce the pollution particles leaving the engine. Logically, the catalytic converter is located on the exhaust line. The principle of this device, also called catalytic converter, is to produce chemical reactions at a certain temperature. This requires the use of certain valuable materials, which react to neutralise the particles and convert them into carbon dioxide. These materials include platinum, palladium and rhodium. The price of these materials is particularly high on the market and this is the main reason why catalysts are always highly sought after and stolen. But whose crime is it ?

How are car catalytic converters stolen ?

Catalysts have been mandatory on petrol cars since 1993. This date probably coincides with the first thefts of these devices. The theft technique is relatively simple. The catalytic converter is located under each vehicle, on the exhaust line. It is therefore necessary for a malicious person to crawl under a vehicle and then take a pair of thick pliers to cut through the exhaust line and undo the catalytic converter's attachments. Unfortunately, this is a fairly quick operation, especially for someone who is used to repeating the operation regularly. The rapid growth of SUVs makes it all the easier for a thief to get under a vehicle. For classic cars, a lifting jack is generally used... And there, it is often a double punishment because it is not rare that the vehicle is then placed on a simple block, which will, in addition, damage the underbody and the bottom of the car. For those who are victims, it's a double punishment...

What is the purpose of the anti-theft protection plate ?

Let's face it: someone truly determined to steal a catalytic converter will succeed in their goal. While it's tempting to have your catalyst locked away in a veritable anti-theft fortress, it's important to remember that this equipment must be able to be taken apart by a professional if necessary. There are, of course, deterrents, such as marking, or painting the catalyst to prevent it being resold...

The most common solution is to use an anti-theft plate. As the name suggests, this is a plate, shaped to suit each car model, that sits on top of existing fixings on your car. This makes the catalytic converter invisible. The advantage of this equipment is that it makes the task more difficult and time-consuming, and therefore more risky for the thief. The thief is more likely to give up and move on to another vehicle. The aim is therefore to increase the number of barriers and obstacles to prevent theft. These plates are also very strong. They have the advantage of protecting the catalyst from splashes, which is beneficial !

There are many different types of anti-theft protection plates available today. Some are made of steel, others of fibreglass or even plastic. It depends on the budget you are willing to put on this protective equipment. However, we recommend that you avoid plastic models. They are a deterrent, but relatively easy to destroy for an experienced person. Steel models seem to us to be the most effective.

Where to find an anti-theft protection plate ?

On the internet or in garages, it is usually possible to purchase a theft protection plate, sometimes to order. This is a rather coveted piece of equipment. Generally, it is people who have already suffered, directly or indirectly through their entourage, who are interested in this equipment. The average price for a standard plate is 150€, but it can sometimes be as much as 500€ for the most advanced models.

For some cars, particularly Toyota hybrids, it is highly recommended that such a plate be installed. The catalytic converters of these models contain a large amount of valuable material, which increases the risk of theft of this equipment. Professionals have focused on Toyota hybrids in order to mass-produce the covers to reduce the unit cost.

However, keep in mind that the catalytic converter cover plate is an additional barrier but not an insurmountable obstacle. To avoid the risk of your catalytic converter being stolen from your car, it's best to keep it in a garage, box or secure car park. Also, avoid parking astride a pavement, which would provide easier access underneath your car. During the day, favour parking in busy areas. Parking in a secluded corner would make a catalyst thief's "job" easier as he could operate more quietly.

What you need to remember

There is no foolproof solution to catalyst theft. However, the anti-theft protection plate is a means of prevention that should not be overlooked. It makes the work of thieves much more difficult, while allowing easy removal by a professional. The price of this equipment should be put into perspective in relation to the cost of a stolen catalytic converter, which often requires the replacement of a large part of the exhaust system. There are no real statistics on catalyst theft, but it still happens, due to the valuable materials within the catalysts.

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Karolina Osinska / Author: duallogic / License ID: L2CM6584EF - elements.envato.com