Stolen Cat - What are my options?

[indapendentlee]

Afternoon folks,

Started my E39 523i last night and it sounded like a tank - one of the neighbours popped out and told me he'd seen someone nicking the cat the night before. Said by the time he heard them and got to the window they were chucking it in the back and off. didn't get a plate

It's a bummer but living in London and having an older car it's not that surprising. Couple of thoughts that I'd be grateful for:

Can I drive the car as is the few miles to the exhaust place?

I'm not super keen to replace the cat and have it nicked again - are newer replacements as desirable to scumbags?

The car has just been MOTd and probably only has a year or so of life left (with me at least!) - are there any non-emissions reasons to get decat it?

Thanks in advance