It's something many drivers never think about until it's stolen: the catalytic converter on their cars. But it contains precious metals that are getting more and more expensive.
Thieves are getting big paydays by stealing them. A new report shows thieves might target specific vehicles and lists which are targeted the most.This soup kitchen director looked wistfully at photos of his white van that meant so much to his organization, BLOC Kitchen,because he used it daily to deliver meals to needy families.Thieves had cut the catalytic converter off overnight, leaving the van extremely loud, underpowered, and essentially useless.
"The ministry doesn't have that kind of money," he said, telling us that volunteers are now forced to use their personal cars for deliveries.A video provided by CARFAX shows how quickly a catalytic converter can be removed. It took a small saw less than 60 seconds to slice it off."We've seen them do it in broad daylight," he said.
The company recently dug through service records and discovered that nearly 153,000 catalytic converters were stolen nationwide last year. Olsen says the metals inside them have soared in price over the past two years. "Palladium and platinum trade for around $1,000 an ounce today," he said."Rhodium, though, goes for about $10,000 an ounce."The report claims thieves are increasingly targeting hybrids -- because they contain even more of those precious metals.Larry Groves and his volunteers are hoping to raise enough money to purchase a new van for deliveries.CARFAX suggests you talk to your insurance company about comprehensive coverage, which should cover this type of damage.
Now break the thefts down by zip code....
Mine is gutted anyway
Just don’t make that a requirement for emissions. If people don’t have/ need to have them, they won’t get stolen
How many people have been arrested in Colorado for catalytic converter theft?