Rant: Stolen catalytic converter

[designforlife]

Locally to me 4 Honda Jazz cats were stolen in less than 15 mins in broad daylight just before christmas.

3 guys in balaclavas managed to steal one from a Jazz in my work car park in around 2 mins, then did one in the car park opposite, then 2 more in the train station car park a couple hundred yards down the road.

they were away and gone before anyone had time to react, very fast, very subtle, not an angle grinder in sight.

This is in leafy suburbia in Hertfordshire.

[Shappers24]

Whilst they obviously have the stones to do it in broad daylight... I’m Not sure if I was passing by and saw several men with power tools jacking up a car and up to no good I’d want to confront them alone. Sounds like an invitation to get your head done in.

[Leon R]

I feel like I read that Japanese made ones are more valuable, there were a fair few Lexus RX's that succumbed to this fate.

[Jimmy Recard]

Shappers24 said:

Whilst they obviously have the stones to do it in broad daylight... I’m Not sure if I was passing by and saw several men with power tools jacking up a car and up to no good I’d want to confront them alone. Sounds like an invitation to get your head done in.

That's the thing. Most people would assume that they were there to fix a broken down car, the ones who didn't assume that would not want to be attacked with the tools by the brazen men.

I was threatened with a bat once when I came across thieves in balaclavas breaking into a Fiesta ST. As much as I would've liked to stop them, it didn't seem worthwhile. I did find the owner as soon as they left though

[Torquey]

I'm very surprised that they are going for older Japanese models now.

I'd heard of new Japanese cars being targeted particularly hybrids (Prius and Lexus RX4009). Are the metals used in older cars more valuable?

[ElectricSoup]

I think I'll get an I-CDTI badge for the back of my petrol Civic.

They're targeting Jazzes and older Accords because they're most likely to be petrol, not diesel. They don't want to waste their time rummaging under a car which might turn out to be diesel not petrol.

Edited by ElectricSoup on Wednesday 15th January 14:01

[eybic]

ElectricSoup said:

I think I'll get an I-CDTI badge for the back of my petrol Civic.

They're targeting Jazzes and older Accords because they're most likely to be petrol, not diesel. They don't want to waste their time rummaging under a car which might turn out to be diesel or petrol.

What Civic do you have? We have an '06 1.8 and the cat is attached to the manifold so very much more difficult to remove than others that are in the middle of the car.

[ElectricSoup]

eybic said:

ElectricSoup said:

I think I'll get an I-CDTI badge for the back of my petrol Civic.

They're targeting Jazzes and older Accords because they're most likely to be petrol, not diesel. They don't want to waste their time rummaging under a car which might turn out to be diesel or petrol.

What Civic do you have? We have an '06 1.8 and the cat is attached to the manifold so very much more difficult to remove than others that are in the middle of the car.

2016 Tourer. No idea what the underside looks like or how easy it is to get at the cat.

[AJB88]

Composite Guru said:

My missus works in Northampton and someone there had a Cat stolen from the works car park in broad daylight.

Amazing that people have the guts to do it in full view.

A car park in my town (Close to MK) got done one lunch time, 5 or 6 Honda Jazz were done in space of an hour.

[Martin_Hx]

My Mrs has a 2001 Accord Type V 2.3 - luckily she does very little miles so is usually parked in front of the house behind our gates.

[AJB88]

ElectricSoup said:

I think I'll get an I-CDTI badge for the back of my petrol Civic.

They're targeting Jazzes and older Accords because they're most likely to be petrol, not diesel. They don't want to waste their time rummaging under a car which might turn out to be diesel not petrol.

Edited by ElectricSoup on Wednesday 15th January 14:01

Older diesels have cats you know?

[cib24]

Here is how fast they do it in broad daylight as pedestrians walk by outside and people watch from their windows bit refuse to do anything.

This was around Stratford, London.

https://youtu.be/aUlikgzaDOE

[can't remember]

designforlife said:

Locally to me 4 Honda Jazz cats were stolen in less than 15 mins

Nice.

[designforlife]

can't remember said:

Nice.

[ElectricSoup]

AJB88 said:

ElectricSoup said:

I think I'll get an I-CDTI badge for the back of my petrol Civic.

They're targeting Jazzes and older Accords because they're most likely to be petrol, not diesel. They don't want to waste their time rummaging under a car which might turn out to be diesel not petrol.

Edited by ElectricSoup on Wednesday 15th January 14:01

Older diesels have cats you know?

But there aren't any older Honda diesels, are there? (That's a question, not an assertion by the way.)

By older I'm talking about models like the OP's 2001 Accord. And as far as I know there isn't a diesel Jazz available in the UK, of any age, meaning Honda Jazzes are a prime target for cat theft because every single one has a cat. If you targeted Corsas and Fiestas, you'd end up disappoint half the time so best choose a model to go after from which you're guaranteed a result. Obviously cat theft does happen to other makes, I'm just outlining why it may be that Hondas are disproportionately targeted.

[Keekiewinker]

cib24 said:

Here is how fast they do it in broad daylight as pedestrians walk by outside and people watch from their windows bit refuse to do anything.

This was around Stratford, London.

https://youtu.be/aUlikgzaDOE

Jeez, scumbags. You have my sympathy OP. stty thing to happen.

[AJB88]

ElectricSoup said:

But there aren't any older Honda diesels, are there? (That's a question, not an assertion by the way.)

By older I'm talking about models like the OP's 2001 Accord. And as far as I know there isn't a diesel Jazz available in the UK, of any age, meaning Honda Jazzes are a prime target for cat theft because every single one has a cat. If you targeted Corsas and Fiestas, you'd end up disappoint half the time so best choose a model to go after from which you're guaranteed a result. Obviously cat theft does happen to other makes, I'm just outlining why it may be that Hondas are disproportionately targeted.

Think the Civic/Accord was sold in the UK with a Diesel engine from Rover was it not? probably not common though.

[alock]

boz1 said:

Interesting. My hunch was that as the prices of the rare earth metals used have risen, catalyser's have become more efficient.

Apparently, this is true...

some random website said:

How Much Is a Catalytic Converter Worth?

The Short Answer...
Depending on the age and type of vehicle, the PGMs in a catalytic converter can be worth anywhere from $200 to a rare $1,000. The new and/or smaller cars being closer to $200 or possibly even less. The larger, older vehicles being closer to $600 and up.

As a general rule: the older the vehicle, the more platinum present in the catalytic converter.

Source: https://www.websitewithnoname.com/2015/10/how-much...

So those of us driving old bangers need to watch out!

After I replaced the OEM cat on my 2005 S2000, I couldn't find anyone who would actually buy it for much more than my postage costs.

It sat in my garage for a couple of years and I would occasionally contact companies that buy/recycle them, but never got offered more than about £20 for it.

[JLGsDad]

There are few, if any, Diesel Accords of that age around, so it's a safe bet it's petrol.

But, surely that's a red herring. How many cars can you not tell what engine is in by the badging? And even then, how long does it take to look underneath?

[JLGsDad]

cib24 said:

Here is how fast they do it in broad daylight as pedestrians walk by outside and people watch from their windows bit refuse to do anything.
https://youtu.be/aUlikgzaDOE

Note the sentry with a length of metal pipe in his hand. I'd do something, even if only shouting from a safe distance and getting my phone out to film and call 999, but I doubt others would.