Catalytic converter theft (1 Viewer)

[Diabalo]

Apparently catalytic converter thefts are on the increase, on our local news police where shown cracking down and recovered a lot of stolen cats but they had no idea who they belonged to, so their advice was to mark you catalytic converter. I see there are kits to etch your cat and then go on a database.

Anyone used an etching kit? Example HERE

 

[Two on Tour]

I bought and fitted a Catloc which comes with an etching kit a while back when there was the last spat of catalytic converter thefts.
The problem with just using the etching kit is it will not stop them nicking your catalytic converter, and they will always find a scrappy that will turn a blind eye.

 

[dipsie]

Recently we have a few nicked here in our local village in South Somerset. Three “ cats “ all cut off of 4 x 4’s parked in the road at night and no one heard anything.
Two of our tenants have taken 4 x 4’s off their sales display areas to be on the safe side.
Our drive in some 150mtrs from the road and our parking area is protected with commercial security poles. Our camper cannot be seen from the road so fingers x’d.

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[TCG]

I bought and fitted a Catloc which comes with an etching kit a while back when there was the last spat of catalytic converter thefts.
The problem with just using the etching kit is it will not stop them nicking your catalytic converter, and they will always find a scrappy that will turn a blind eye.

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hi Paul.
How easy are they fit

 

[Geo]

With the birth of battery operated grinders and silent tube cutters nothing is going to prevent them taking your cat.
best defence is a large plastic or metal floor shield with load of screws just to make it harder than moving on.
if they can see and touch it consider it gone

 

[Two on Tour]

hi Paul.
How easy are they fit

Very.

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[The general]

I think ? Some models like transits mk 7/8 the cat is situated right up in the shell , much more difficult to cut ? not sure I will have to check .

 

[Lenny HB]

Had one nicked off a Motorhome 10 years ago while it was on the drive., There was one nicked off a car locally about a month ago. On the X290 CAT & DPF are tucked up behind the engine so hopefully not a target.

 

[Vipar]

When did they start to fit Cat’s on MH’s and cars?

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[Lenny HB]

When did they start to fit Cat’s on MH’s and cars?

On Motorhomes the Fiat X250 from 2006 had them as standard but was an option of earlier models I think from around 2004. Cars it started off as an option around 2000 not sure when it became standard.

 

[Vipar]

Better get my fit neighbour to look underneath to se if I have one.
According to google it does, new £790 not bad as some are priced at around £2000

 

[The Dotties]

Son just had his car written off by insurance after theft of the cat from Lexus car. 56 plate. Too expensive to replace. Shame, lovely car gone to scrappers.

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[Lenny HB]

Son just had his car written off by insurance after theft of the cat from Lexus car. 56 plate. Too expensive to replace. Shame, lovely car gone to scrappers.

Couldn't he have just got an after market CAT, when mine got nicked of a Motorhome at the time Fiat one was £850 I got a pattern one for £250.

 

[Googlebot]

I wouldn’t bother with trying to protect them.

As others have said, nothing will stop a grinder or reciprocating saw.

Best defence is motion sensors and lighting and someone to act when they go off.

 

[The Dotties]

Couldn't he have just got an after market CAT, when mine got nicked of a Motorhome at the time Fiat one was £850 I got a pattern one for £250.

He also took the view that if they saw the car reappear they would know where to go to get another one . Lost a few locally over recent months.

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[Ernesto]

I rang one of the two companies that sell protection kits around 8 months ago (CatClamp) and had a chat with them. At the time they sad they didnt do one to fit our 2019 FIat Ducato...as there wasn’t enough demand for them

 

[Ivory55]

Son just had his car written off by insurance after theft of the cat from Lexus car. 56 plate. Too expensive to replace. Shame, lovely car gone to scrappers.

They then sell to someone who goes and pinch one from someone else and the cycle goes on. I remember a mate in the body shop trade saying about cars written off if the seats were stolen as to expensive to replace.

 

[Lenny HB]

I rang one of the two companies that sell protection kits around 8 months ago (CatClamp) and had a chat with them. At the time they sad they didnt do one to fit our 2019 FIat Ducato...as there wasn’t enough demand for them

I doubt if you could get it off without the van on a ramp, tucked up behind the engine.

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[Gaston aires]

If you have pneumatic suspension lower it to the ground when parking it. No one except a snake or limbo dancer can get to it.
Also I use Carole Nash motorbike insurance they send you a DNA marking kit. This would work.
Phil

 

[Googlebot]

If you have pneumatic suspension lower it to the ground when parking it. No one except a snake or limbo dancer can get to it.
Also I use Carole Nash motorbike insurance they send you a DNA marking kit. This would work.
Phil

Nope, they happily carry jacks and will use them.

The DNA marking kit can’t hurt though.

 

[Drexxer]

Would a Cat be covered by your insurance?, I've no idea?

I keep our motorhome on ramps at the front during winter to allow rain to drain off the back rather than pooling on the roof, I work on the thinking that a Cat would be cheaper to replace than water ingress?

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[Ivory55]

Nope, they happily carry jacks and will use them.

The DNA marking kit can’t hurt though.

What would a dna kit do ? At a scrap yard they all just tossed in a big bin, if enough a skip.

 

[The Wino]

Would a Cat be covered by your insurance?, I've no idea?

I keep our motorhome on ramps at the front during winter to allow rain to drain off the back rather than pooling on the roof, I work on the thinking that a Cat would be cheaper to replace than water ingress?

I wouldn't claim for anything that low a value. By the time you pay the excess and increased premium's the next few years it would be cheaper to just buy a new one.

 

[Spriddler]

hi Paul.
How easy are they fit

Not a lot of point in getting your nicked cc back if it has been cut off (as most are).


Edited to remove my generic reference to 'cutters'. (Thanks Eggs )

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[ivorantony]

A good friend had her chopped of her 1998 Polo auto, again the insurance wanted to write it off, the car is perfect with just 20,000 mile since new, so I have put a straight through pipe on it in case the toe rags come back and will fit an after market cat before her next MOT,

 

[Eggs]

Why do people assume that cats are stolen using battery disc cutters?

Much cheaper and zero noise/sparks to use a chain exhaust cutter.

 

[Wombles]

Like Two on Tour Catloc for us - picked it up on eBay at a bargain price - it was listed as fitting Boxer & Relay 2.2HDi Euro 5 (LGBVAC1155) but on checking with the manufacturer https://catloc.co.uk/ this one also fits 2.0HDi Blue Euro 6. Levelling ramps & chocks made access underneath the van just about workable. As well as fitting the lock, it has been etched & registered with the kit that it comes with. Like all security it's a deterrent rather than an ideal solution to theft.

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[Lenny HB]

Why do people assume that cats are stolen using battery disc cutters?

Much cheaper and zero noise/sparks to use a chain exhaust cutter.

When mine was nicked they just unbolted it.

 

[Geo]

Why do people assume that cats are stolen using battery disc cutters?

Much cheaper and zero noise/sparks to use a chain exhaust cutter.

Chain exhaust cutter only cuts round tube, Grinder reqd for last minuet Brackets and awkward items
If you turned up with just spanners and a tube cutter you'd be there half the night

 

[EuroTrotters]

Rife in Manchester .

I saw in America, a thief was crushed by the car he was steeling it from collapsed on the jack. If only

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