Catalytic converter theft vulnerability

I've just had a message from our Safer Neighbourhoods police team to say that they are offering free marking this week.  It goes on to say that the most frequently targeted vehicles are hybrids plus a few other specific models that are mentioned - Honda Jazz, Lexus XR etc.  How vulnerable is the converter on my new Yaris?

The Yaris is the least vunerable to CAT theft because of its location on the car.

Thanks - that's very reassuring.  I won't bother this time round then, as they offer it every few months or so.

On 6/24/2024 at 9:24 AM, Bernard Foy said:

The Yaris is the least vunerable to CAT theft because of its location on the car.

Where is it located, I just thought they went under the car at them with an angle grinder and off they went.

On the manifold, however, the average thief is thicker than pig **** and have been known to cut out the exhaust silencer "thinking" it is the CAT

This is the CAT, it forms part of the manifold 

The Prius and auris are the most targeted Toyotas anything newer than 2020 has lower value material in the cat plus the cats are serialised from the factory (laser etched)

2 hours ago, MardyMarvin said:

where is it located, I just thought they went under the car at them with and angle grinder and off they went.

The Auris and Prius were most targeted as it was underneath the car; I don't know why it was put there, I guess packaging reasons? Most companies stopped doing that because it means they take a lot longer to start working because they only work when really hot.

In almost all the other Toyotas, the main cat is attached directly to the exhaust manifold so they heat up much faster, and that means any thief will need to cut through your under tray and probably a bit of the chassis firewall to get at it, not to mention fluid lines, electrical cables and other hoses - Definitely not a 2 minute job and a lot more hazardous!

Gen 3 hybrids 1.8 - 2010 onwards up to 2019 Prius, Auris, ct200h, these are the most common cat thefts cars including all Lexus suv and the reasons are because of the cat location and metal content, the metal traders pay the highest price so thieves get best 💰. 

What's the best way to protect the 'cat' on a Prius+? I think it's 4th gen (2016)

1 hour ago, Unityone said:

What's the best way to protect the 'cat' on a Prius+? I think it's 4th gen (2016)

Prius plus is gen 3 hybrid similar to Auris hybrid. 
You can buy a cat plate off eBay and security bolts from Peugeot . 
There are many posts about this. 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224417697741?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=apGN8aAWRAS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=p34UK1z2T4m&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

6 hours ago, TonyHSD said:

Prius plus is gen 3 hybrid similar to Auris hybrid. 
You can buy a cat plate off eBay and security bolts from Peugeot . 
There are many posts about this. 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224417697741?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=apGN8aAWRAS&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=p34UK1z2T4m&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Thanks Tony! You're a star!