[Londoner]

After my post about tyres last week I have another warning for car and van owners regarding the theft of Catalytic converters.
Most cars and vans have them, they are just a box in the exhaust system that contains platinum wire which breaks down the exhaust gasses.

The scrap value of the platinum is about £50. A report on LBC this week about 21 cars in one area being hit in one night. Other people then phoned in and said they have had it happen to them as well.

It takes them seconds to cut the cat off with an angle grinder and its becoming a common theft. I would imagine vans are an easier target because they have higher ground clearance. The trouble is they do more damage because they just slice through brackets and the exhaust pipe in their hurry to get it off

Also, when you get a new cat fitted as a result of MOT etc make sure you ask for the old one back and take it up the scrapyard. Otherwise the blokes from the garage will have it away and pocket the cash themselves.

[LWC]

dam wish id heard that before, had my cat done on the old car a while ago and yes they kept it  :

[Glyn H]

I was told that about a dozen people got hit in one road locally to me, and also that a car sales front got hit a couple of times in one week as soon as they were replaced the theives returned and stole the new ones.
Apparantly If you have a 4x4 you are more at risk because the cat is easier to get to.

[Londoner]

And its probably bigger on a 4x4 and contains more platinum.

Does anyone know where I can get a cordless angle grinder? I feel a new business coming on !