Catalytic Converter Theft Risk & Security Checker

Choose your vehicle type, where it is parked and what protection you have to get a rough catalytic converter theft risk indicator and practical prevention steps.

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The catalytic converter theft risk checker gives a rough indicator, lower, medium or higher, from three things police and insurers say matter: the type of vehicle, where it is parked overnight, and what protection is already fitted. The indicator is a points total from 0 to 5. It is not a crime statistic or a probability for your street; it simply adds up known risk factors so you can see what would help.

Checked 3 November 2026. Much of the published data on targeted models comes from 2019 to 2022. Police figures show thefts peaked in 2021 and have fallen sharply since. The points total is only a guide, so the police advice on this page applies whatever score you get.

Catalytic converter theft risk example

How to use the catalytic converter theft risk checker

  1. Choose the vehicle type. Older petrol hybrids score highest, then high-clearance SUVs, 4x4s and vans. Other petrol or diesel cars score less, and a fully electric car has no converter to steal.
  2. Choose where the car is parked overnight: on the street or in an open car park, on a private driveway, or in a locked garage.
  3. Tick every protection already in place: an approved guard, cage or lock, a marked and registered converter, an alarm with a tilt sensor, or parking close to a wall or fence with the exhaust side in.
  4. Read the indicator and the points total. Each protection you tick takes one point off, down to a minimum of zero.
  5. Read the advice for your level. Each protection you add takes a point off, so you can tick a measure you are thinking of fitting to see how the level changes.

For example, a petrol hybrid parked on the street with no protection scores 3 points for the vehicle and 2 for the street, which is 5 and higher. Adding a guard and a wall or fence takes 2 points off, giving 3 and medium. A petrol car in a locked garage scores 1 point for the vehicle and none for the garage, so it is lower.

How the indicator works

Vehicle: older petrol hybrid 3 points; SUV, 4x4 or van 2; other petrol or diesel car 1. Parking: street or open car park 2; driveway 1; locked garage 0. Each protection measure ticked takes 1 point off. 4–5 points = higher, 2–3 = medium, 0–1 = lower. A fully electric car has no catalytic converter.

Why hybrids are targeted

Converters contain platinum, palladium and rhodium. Police forces have said hybrid converters are targeted because they are used less and their metals are less corroded. Models most often named in insurer and police data include the Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris and Lexus RX; police have also named the Honda Accord. Vans and SUVs are easier to get under because of their ground clearance.

Police advice

  • Fit a guard, cage or lock approved by the manufacturer or rated by Sold Secure.
  • Mark the converter with a forensic marking or serial number and register it; a window sticker can deter thieves.
  • Park in a garage, or in a well-lit place close to a wall or fence so the exhaust is hard to reach.
  • An alarm with a tilt sensor reacts when the car is jacked up.

Scrap metal dealers in England and Wales may not pay cash for scrap (Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013) and must check and record who they buy from. Police also link the fall in thefts since 2021 to targeted enforcement and lower precious metal prices.

How the points add up

The vehicle and the parking place each give points, and the protections you tick take points off. The sum is never below zero. A higher-risk car in a higher-risk place can therefore still score “lower” once it has several protections. The indicator uses only these factors, so two cars with the same score may still face different risks.

Which cars thieves target and why

Thieves target converters that are easy to remove and worth scrap value. The factors in this checker are the ones police and insurers name: the model, the ground clearance that makes the converter easy to reach, and where the car is parked overnight. The indicator does not use local crime data, so it cannot show how often thefts happen on your street.

Common mistakes

  • Treating a lower score as safe. The indicator is a rough guide, and protection should be fitted whatever the score.
  • Forgetting to tick a protection that is fitted. The score is only as good as the boxes you tick.
  • Parking a hybrid on the street and assuming a guard alone is enough. Parking and marking also count in the score.

Frequently asked questions

Which cars are most at risk of catalytic converter theft?

Older petrol hybrids such as the Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris and Lexus RX are most often named, along with vans and SUVs that are easy to get under.

How can I protect my catalytic converter?

A Sold Secure rated or manufacturer-approved guard, forensic marking, a tilt-sensing alarm and careful parking (a garage, or close to a wall in a well-lit place).

What does the score mean?

A higher score means more of the factors named in police and insurer advice apply to your car. It is not a probability that your car will be stolen, and it does not use local crime data.

Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft?

Comprehensive policies usually do, subject to your excess; a claim may affect your no-claims discount. Check your policy.

Can I drive without a catalytic converter?

The car will be very loud and its emissions will be far over the limits. It will fail its MOT, and you should have it repaired before using it.

Does this checker look up my car?

No. It works only from the vehicle type, parking place and protections you choose. It cannot check whether your car has been targeted or whether a model is on a police list for your area.

Sources (checked 3 November 2026): Admiral data reported by Insurance Edge (2020); Leicestershire Police via Leicester Mercury (2021); HonestJohn: areas most targeted (2022); NPCC: thefts drop as people protect their vehicles (2021); Auto Express: theft epidemic nearly over; legislation.gov.uk: Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

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