Need a part or service found for you?
Call our experts on 1800 595 454

Does Cat Shield Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft?

Catalytic Converters  ·  February 24, 2022

Does Cat Shield Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft?

Catalytic converters are the most tempting of all the parts a thief could steal from your car. They're quick to steal, and they fetch a hefty sum when thieves recycle them. There are several ways to protect your converter, and one of them is the catalytic converter shield. But does it work?

Yes, a cat shield will reduce the chances of a thief stealing your catalytic converter. It has a metal panel and tamper-proof bolts, making it challenging for thieves to access and remove. The catalytic converter shield acts as a deterrent because it increases the odds of thieves getting caught.

In this guide, you'll understand what catalytic converters are and why thieves love stealing them. Then, you'll get a closer look at whether cat shields are worth your investment or a waste of money.

How Long Does It Take to Steal a Cats Con?

It only takes 1 minute to steal a catalytic converter. 

That’s right! In 1 minute, someone can crawl under your car and cut the catalytic converter out. Then, they’ll be gone long before you even realise something’s missing from your car’s underside.

That's one reason why catalytic converter theft is prevalent. 

Generally, most people assume that thieves only want to break into the car to steal valuables or electronics, like the in-car entertainment system (ICE). Or that a thief would steal the whole vehicle outright in a worst-case scenario.

That's not always the case. You see, there are two reasons why thieves love catalytic converters:

For most thieves, stealing a catalytic converter is much more tempting than trying to steal valuables in the cabin or stealing the entire vehicle.

How Can I Protect My Catalytic Converter from Being Stolen?

Now that you understand how quickly a thief can grab your car’s catalytic converter, you’ll likely want to know how to prevent that from happening.

You have at least 3 options to protect your catalytic converter from being stolen.

  1. Labelling: The first step is to label your catalytic converter somehow and make it traceable. You can do that by etching or engraving your car plate number onto the cat converter. Unfortunately, that won't do much good once the thieves take the catalytic converter apart.
  2. Cautious parking: Secondly, you can reduce the odds of your car becoming a target by parking in well-lit areas with high foot traffic. But remember that it only takes 1 minute to rip your catalytic converter out, so doing this might not help much.
  3. Anti-theft device: Lastly, you can install an anti-theft device, like a catalytic converter shield.

When you look closely at the 3 options above, you’ll notice some similarities. Options 1 and 2 don’t prevent the thief from removing your catalytic converter. 

Option 1 might help police trace the catalytic converter back to your car, but that’ll only happen if the thieves get caught with it before recycling the converter.

Option 2 will only discourage those who aren’t confident they can steal the catalytic converter quickly enough.

However, option 3, the cat converter shield, makes it much more difficult for thieves to steal the thing in the first place.

Does a Catalytic Converter Shield Really Help Protect Cats Con Theft?

Yes, a cat shield will help protect your car against catalytic converter theft. The shield blocks thieves from reaching the catalytic converter to cut it out. Plus, the bolts that you use to secure the shield to your car are tamper-proof, making them too challenging to remove.

Still, there’s one thing you must never forget. A determined thief will still find a way regardless of the protection you put in their way. So, even with a catalytic converter shield in place, it’s still possible to steal your cat.

However, the goal here is to make your catalytic converter challenging to steal, and a catalytic converter shield will do just that. 

By making things more difficult for the thieves, you’ll:

Which Types of Cars Are Most at Risk of Cats Converter Theft?

Catalytic converters in hybrid vehicles, such as a Prius hybrid, face a higher risk of theft. That’s because the catalytic converter in Prius hybrid vehicles contains more precious metals than those in a standard combustion engine vehicle. 

Remember that thieves love catalytic converters because there is a lot of money in them. We’re talking about expensive metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium that can be recycled for money.

However, hybrids aren’t the only ones at the top of a thief’s list. They also love converters from larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks.

It’s not because there’s more precious metal in the converters of these large vehicles, but rather, because they’re higher off the ground, making it easier to get under and cut out the catalytic converter.

How Much Will It Cost to Install a Cat Converter Shield?

Installing a catalytic converter shield on your car in Australia will cost you hundreds, from as low as around $200 to $600 dollars or more.

You can expect to pay a different price depending on:

At first glance, paying a few hundred to install a cat converter shield on your car might seem like too much. However, don’t hastily wave it off as a waste of money. 

To put things into perspective, a brand-new catalytic converter for a Toyota Prius can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 in Australia. 

Replacing one stolen catalytic converter might be doable for you, but having to replace them multiple times due to repeated thefts? That'll drain anyone's finances, no matter how deep your pocket is.

So, here’s another way to look at cat shields. They’re another form of insurance. Sure, you might never need them, and your money would have gone to waste.

However, it’s better to have one and not need it than need one and not have it.

For more information on catalytic converters and cat shields, check out CarPartAU. There, you can request for new or used parts and get quotes from reputable sellers all over the country.


By Ray Hasbollah

More from the Blog

Explore the Opportunity of Owning CarPart.com.au!

For Sale: CarPart.com.au - Your Gateway to the Automotive World

Are you ready to own a premium domain in the automotive industry? CarPart.com.au is now available for purchase, offering you an exclusive chance to step into the driver’s seat of this established online platform.

What’s Included in the Package?

  • Domain Name: Secure the highly sought-after www.carpart.com.au, a single-word domain that speaks volumes in the automotive realm.
  • Website: Acquire the entire CarPart.com.au website, featuring the single largest directory of automotive suppliers. Benefit from top-notch Google rankings, providing instant exposure to a vast audience.
  • Instagram Page: Take over the Instagram page (@carpartdotcom) with a whopping 240,000 real car enthusiasts following. Become an instant influencer and leverage years of engaging content.
  • Carpedia: Dive into a treasure trove of automotive information. CarPart.com.au includes Carpedia, a comprehensive resource that draws daily traffic seeking valuable insights into vehicles.

Why CarPart.com.au?

  • Instant Exposure: With thousands of top-ten Google rankings, you can own the next car parts marketplace and enjoy instant visibility in a competitive market.
  • Endless Possibilities: The opportunities are boundless with a domain like CarPart.com.au. In a time where single-word domains are rare, secure your place as a key player in the automotive industry.

Price: $1.45 Million AUD

How to Inquire: For inquiries or to express your interest, call the number at the top of the page telling us your interested in the sale of the website. Leave a message with our office, and expect a prompt call back.