Which Cars Are Least Likely To Have Catalytic Converter Stolen – A Guide for 2022

We all know carbon monoxide and nitric oxides are harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust systems. Catalytic converters are an essential part of a car’s exhaust system. They convert all the harmful exhaust gases into less harmful gases and release them outside the exhaust. However, they are not safe from the eyes of thieves. This means your vehicle’s catalytic converter might get stolen.

But, not all car catalytic converter attracts the eyes of thieves. Thus, your vehicle might be safe from thieves too! Which cars are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen is a question we will answer today.

However, we should have a better understanding of the components of the catalytic converter first to understand why some vehicles are least likely to have the catalytic converter stolen.

Without further delay, let’s dive into the details for a better interpretation of this subject.

 

Why The Thieves Are Attracted To Catalytic Converter?

We all can understand that platinum, rhodium, and palladium are some of the most valuable and expensive metals present on the earth today. Surely, they are the favorites of all the thieves around the globe!

A catalytic converter contains a catalyst. Catalyst reacts with the harmful gases to turn them into less harmful gases. Further, the catalyst remains unchanged at the end of the reaction. Therefore, people do not need to change the catalyst after using the catalytic converter.

Moreover, the catalyst might include platinum, rhodium, and palladium. These metals behave as a catalyst. Therefore, manufacturers decided to implement them inside the catalytic converter for usage as a catalyst.

Further, these expensive metals can easily be accessed by thieves as the converter is located at the backside of your vehicle near the exhaust. They hang lower than any other components of the vehicle. Therefore, it is easily handed accessible too.

The thieves can easily slide under the car to cut the precious metal and take it.

However, not all vehicle catalytic converters are prone to thieves. Therefore, which cars are least likely to have catalytic converters stolen? Let’s see them below!

 

Cars Whose Catalytic Converters Are Least Likely To Catch The Attention Of Thieves

We can estimate the value of the catalytic converter by considering some factors such as vehicles make, year, and engine type.

 

The Year Built

You are on the lucky side if you have a car that is made before 1994. Back then, catalytic converters didn’t exist. Therefore, those vintage cars are on the safe side of being stolen.

 

Diesel Combustion Engine

Diesel engines have no expensive precious metals inside the catalytic converter. Therefore, they are very less prone to being stolen by thieves.

 

Electric Powered Vehicles

Nowadays, every manufacturer is moving towards electric engine vehicles. All thanks to the European law, which mandates all vehicle companies to not sell any internal combustion engine vehicles from 2030.

Electric cars do not need combustion to run. Therefore, there are no exhaust gases which means no catalytic converter is necessary.

This means that electric vehicles are on the safe side too like vintage cars. Some lists of electric cars are given below.

• Tesla Model X
• Tesla Model Y
• Tesla Model S
• Mercedes EQS
• Mercedes EQE
• Porsche Tycan Turbo S
• Audi E-Tron GT

 

Least Risky Car Makers

Besides electric and vintage cars, there are manufacturers who do not give precious metals inside their ICE cars today. Therefore, those vehicles’ catalytic converters are less likely to be stolen. The names of the manufacturers are given below.

• Subaru
• Dodge
• Jeep
• Hyundai
• Nissan
• Mazda

Further, cars that are very low to the ground are on the safe side as the thieves cannot easily access the converter.

These were some of which cars are least likely to have their catalytic converter stolen.

 

What Kind Of Vehicles Are Most Likely To Have Their Catalytic Converter Stolen?

Thieves black lists selected vehicles to steal their catalytic converters. Let’s know which cars are most likely to have catalytic converters stolen.

 

Luxury Vehicles

Luxury car manufacturers fit expensive catalytic converters inside their vehicles. Further, the Ferrari F40 catalytic converter costs around a mind-blowing $3,770 each. Moreover, this vehicle has two of them therefore the price is around $8,000.

Lamborghinis and Bugattis also have some of the most expensive catalytic converters which cost around $3,000.

 

Hybrid Cars

Hybrid vehicles are made to reduce the maximum amount of emission from the exhaust. Therefore, their catalytic converters need to be more precious. Thus, hybrid vehicles have some very expensive converters which surely attract the eyes of thieves.

 

SUV And Large Trucks

Larger trucks and SUVs are targeted the most too. SUVs and trucks have larger engines due to their heavy and large body. Therefore, they need a more valuable catalytic converter. Moreover, a Dodge RAM truck catalytic converter costs around $2,000 which costs near as much as the Ferrari.

Second, SUVs have higher ground clearance. This makes it easier for thieves to access the catalytic converter.

Now you know Which Cars Are Least Likely To Have Catalytic Converter Stolen and The Most Likely Vehicles To Have Their Catalytic Converter Stolen. You should know how to protect your vehicle’s catalytic converter.

 

How To Prevent Theft Of Catalytic Converter

Thieves are rising day by day. Therefore, it has become more important for vehicle owners to protect their catalytic converters. Moreover, you are out of luck if you do not have any garage to park your vehicle. You will know how to prevent catalytic converter theft.

You can think of installing a catalytic converter protection system. You can install it from the car mechanic shops. They will install a metal shield to cover the catalytic converter.

Never park your vehicle in an isolated place. You should try to park your vehicle close to a wall. This will prevent thieves from getting access to catalytic converters easily.

Laser itch the licenses plate on your Catalytic converter. This will make the converter more recognizable and trackable. Therefore, the thieve will not be able to sell it again.

 

Most Frequently Asked Question

Below is the most frequently asked question about Which Cars Are Least Likely To Have Catalytic Converter Stolen

 

How To Understand Whether My Catalytic Converter Was Stolen?

You will notice a few symptoms if your catalytic converter is stolen. Those symptoms are listed below.

• The vehicle will make a louder exhaust sound. This is because the muffler is disconnected.
• Your vehicle will not accelerate as much as intended.
• You will feel an unpleasant smell from the exhaust.

Moreover, you can always check by looking underneath your vehicle. You will see a hole or empty space near the muffler. This indicates that your vehicle’s catalytic converter is stolen.

 

Conclusion

No wonder why the catalytic converter attracts thieves. Many manufacturers include precious metals inside their catalytic converter for better performance and less emission. Moreover, those precious metals are very expensive like gold, platinum, rhodium.

However, some vehicles as listed above do not have an expensive catalytic converter. Some do not even have a converter like antique cars. Therefore, if you are lucky enough to have one of them, you do not need to worry about getting your converter stolen.

Now you know Which Cars Are Least Likely To Have Catalytic Converter Stolen. However, you should know how to protect your catalytic converter. This will ensure you are on the safe side even if you have an expensive car.