Which Cars Are Least Likely To Have Catalytic Converter Stolen

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Last updated on July 20th, 2023 at 06:50 am

If you are reading this article, you must be looking for which cars are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen? Well, we will about all that in this article.

The catalytic converter is a vital part of your car. First introduced in 1975, it helps to reduce harmful gases emitted from your car and is categorized as an exhaust system device. The catalytic converter contains precious metals, which is what makes it attractive to thieves. See my guide on Easiest Catalytic Converters To Steal you should stay away from.

As you may know, a catalytic converter is an automobile part that is vital to a car’s engine. It cleans the exhaust gas by burning and reducing the emission coming from the exhaust system which is why it is called a converter

Read Also: Catalytic Converter Scrap Price List(Ultimate Lookup Guide)

In this article we are also looking at the following topics:

• what does a catalytic converter do and why are catalytic converters stolen
• which cars are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen
• how Can you tell if your catalytic converter has been stolen
• Which SUVs are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen

What Does A Catalytic Converter Do?

The catalytic converter has a valve that ensures that the engine’s exhaust gas is clean. 

The catalytic converter is connected to the engine’s exhaust pipe and is used to convert the harmful pollutants into less toxic ones before releasing them into the atmosphere. 

why are catalytic converters stolen

Catalytic converters have some precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium which have a high value on the black market. Automobile thieves are looking for cars that have more precious metals inside their catalytic converters. 

which cars are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen

Thieves will hardly steal converters from cars with less valuable metals in them. Cars with bead-catalytic converters, for example, might not be stolen because they have low to no scrap yard price worth. Diesel converters are also of no value, as they lack precious metals.

 These cars are not the only ones. Newer models like Honda’s 2015 Accord or Jazz have their catalytic converter inside the engine compartment, making it harder for them to be stolen by thieves. The catalytic converters on Cars like Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, Dodge, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, and Chrysler are less likely to be stolen because of the value of the precious metals inside their catalytic converters is low.

Here is are specification which cars are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen

 1. All Vehicles built before 1974  

Losing your Catalytic converter to thieves will not be a concern to you if you drive a vehicle that is manufactured prior to 1974. Vehicles built prior to 1974 do not have a catalytic converter in them. It was much later in time that the government took steps to reduce emissions by making it compulsory that install catalytic converters later vehicles. So it became mandatory that all vehicles have a catalytic converter to reduce emissions. 

 2. Cars of Certain Brands  

Some car brands are least likely to be stolen. For instance, US brand cars like Ford, Dodge, and  Chevy are less likely to be stolen likewise brands  Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler. Car models like  Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, and Subaru fall under this group too.

Basically, any car brands that limit the number of precious metals used in the catalytic converter designs tend to attract fewer thieves. You have to move away from the brand with higher amounts of these precious metals in them if you do not want to attract thieves.

 3. Cars with converters built Around the Engine 

Nowadays car brands now have the catalytic converter in the engine compartment, rather than further back on their exhaust system. As a result of this, it is much harder for thieves to steal the catalytic converters from these car designs.

Most of these thieves are lazy and want a quick steal so they are not ready to do extra work in order to steal the cat from such car designs, so they simply move on to another model. car brands in this group include car models such as the Audi, BMW, Honda, and Volkswagen models.

 4. Electric Cars  

The essence of Catalytic converters is to remove the emissions from diesel or gas burning from the exhaust. Therefore, Cars that use electric power do not have catalytic converters because there is no gaseous waste to be cleaned by the cat since the car doesn’t emit any waste. An electric car battery can be charged by plugging into a power source. This will not require any gasoline or diesel power. Popular choices include the Volkswagen e-gold and Audi E-Tron models, as well as most Tesla models.

Here are additional list for you lookup:

• Rivian R1S. – 69 MPGe,
• GMC Hummer EV. — 47 MPGe
• Audi e-tron Sportback. — 77 MPGe
• Audi e-tron. — 78 MPGe
• Volvo XC40 Recharge. — 85 MPGe
• Mazda MX-30. — 92 MPGe
• Volkswagen ID.4. — 99 MPGe
• Tesla Model X. — 102 MPGe
• Polestar 2. — 107 MPGe

 5. Diesel engine Vehicles  

Diesel vehicles use a different catalytic converter to gasoline vehicles. These converter thieves are well aware that they don’t have the same value as the gasoline catalytic converters.

So Diesel engine converters, also known as particle filters, are not normally made with platinum, palladium, and rhodium.These precious metals are what thieves want, so they often leave behind the diesel engine car .

Here are list of  diesel engine cars.

Alfa Romeo, Audi, Buick, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler,  Citroën, Covini,  Smart, Dacia, Dodge, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, International,  GMC, Holden,  Honda, Hummer, Hyundai,  Infiniti, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lancia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mahindra, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, Mini, Mitsubishi,  Nissan, etc. 

 6. Cars with bead converters  

Bead cats are filled full of beads. Expert thieves are able to identify which cars have these catalytic converters. They are not worth much, even though they may be larger so the thieves will leave your cat alone.  GM models and Chevy are well-known for their bead converters.

Which SUVs are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen

If you like to avoid your catalytic converter being stolen then it is advisable you buy SUVs with fewer metals built in them.  SUVs like Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, Chevy, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler are less likely to have their catalytic converters stolen by thieves. 

do all cars have catalytic converters

Having followed through to this point in this article you should know the answer to this question. And if you still don’t get it, well the answer is no; not all car has a catalytic converter. Diesel Vehicles, electrics, and car vehicles manufactured years before 1974 do not have catalytic converters. 

how Can you tell if your catalytic converter has been stolen

Here are ways you Can tell if your catalytic converter has been stolen

1. Your vehicle is very loud

Your vehicle suddenly becomes very loud is the most obvious sign your vehicle’s catalytic converter has been stolen. A loud, offensive sound will occur when operating a vehicle that does not have a catalytic converter. The volume of your vehicle will shock you immediately and prompts you to investigate.

A vehicle that has a catalytic convert removed will sound more like an airplane than a regular passenger car. It is difficult to miss the sound of your vehicle as a sign that your catalytic converter is missing.

2. The Check Engine Light is ON

It is possible to steal your catalytic converter and not trigger a fault code. However, your check engine light will usually come on. An engine control unit (also known as an ECM) is installed in vehicles. It monitors several sensors within the engine bay. The ECM controls the air to fuel ratio and the emission control systems.

If your catalytic converter is stolen, the engine control unit will perform its tests within one complete drive cycle. If your catalytic converter is stolen, the only way to make your check engine light turn on is to have it reset with a scan tool. 

While thieves can steal catalytic converters from almost any car model that has a cat in them, we can’t negate the fact that some models are more likely to be stolen than others. And in this post we have looked at do all cars have catalytic converters and which cars are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen, how can you tell if your catalytic converter has been stolen. And we also discussed what does a catalytic converter do, 

Which SUVs are least likely to have catalytic converter stolen and why are catalytic converters stolen

I hope you find with you are looking for. You can read this other article on the most targeted catalytic converters by thieves.  

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