Diesel catalytic converters - the new gold?
Discussion
It would appear that the latest valuable automotive commodity is the catalyst from a diesel car. The Hyundai dealership where I work in Old Stratford has suffered two separate thefts over the last fortnight; on the first occasion we had 10 cats taken from 4x4 SUVs and the second, which was Tuesday night, four cats were stolen from ordinary i30 hatchbacks.
This isn't unique to us either as our sister garage (Kia) in Stony Stratford has also been targeted and we've heard that several other dealerships around MK have been hit as well. More worryingly, my brother told me yesterday that a work colleague of his had the cat stolen from his diesel Freelander...whilst it was parked outside his house!
At upwards of £2k for a replacement cat (on a Hyundai, anyway) this is an expensive loss by any standards. Although the cars insurance would probably cover it, there's the obvious aggro of not being able to drive the car and waiting for the replacement parts to arrive before you can. Apparently the upsurge in scrap metal prices and the particular materials used in a diesel cat make them worth a few hundred quid to a scrap dealer. It would appear there are gangs of thieves targeting diesel cars at the moment, so if you own one, be careful where you leave it at night!
This isn't unique to us either as our sister garage (Kia) in Stony Stratford has also been targeted and we've heard that several other dealerships around MK have been hit as well. More worryingly, my brother told me yesterday that a work colleague of his had the cat stolen from his diesel Freelander...whilst it was parked outside his house!
At upwards of £2k for a replacement cat (on a Hyundai, anyway) this is an expensive loss by any standards. Although the cars insurance would probably cover it, there's the obvious aggro of not being able to drive the car and waiting for the replacement parts to arrive before you can. Apparently the upsurge in scrap metal prices and the particular materials used in a diesel cat make them worth a few hundred quid to a scrap dealer. It would appear there are gangs of thieves targeting diesel cars at the moment, so if you own one, be careful where you leave it at night!
Scrapyards know exactly what's going on and turn a blind eye as they are making a killing on them at the mo i believe that the avarege ceramic cat is worth approx £50 scrap value so it's easy money for thieves.
The only way it can be stopped is for regular/ weekly checks at the scrap yards by the bib any shiney cats should be confiscated and the scrappy charged with handling stolen goods.
The only way it can be stopped is for regular/ weekly checks at the scrap yards by the bib any shiney cats should be confiscated and the scrappy charged with handling stolen goods.
We took our Multipla in for a service on Monday, get a phone call half way through the morning to say that the cats been nicked and we need a new exhaust bit because they have cut through it to get the cat out. Nearly £600 to replace it and the exhaust !
The insurance will pay out but after deducting £150 excess and 2 years no claims ! The police have been interested (if largely useless) and say that it seems to have started out Daventry way.
As always, the most surprising thing is that nobody but me was surprised !
The insurance will pay out but after deducting £150 excess and 2 years no claims ! The police have been interested (if largely useless) and say that it seems to have started out Daventry way.
As always, the most surprising thing is that nobody but me was surprised !
Edited by stillgrinning on Thursday 14th August 15:53
stillgrinning said:
We took our Multipla in for a service on Monday, get a phone call half way through the morning to say that the cats been nicked and we need a new exhaust bit because they have cut through it to get the cat out. Nearly £600 to replace it and the exhaust !
The insurance will pay out but after deducting £150 excess and 2 years no claims ! The police have been interested (if largely useless) and say that it seems to have started out Daventry way.
As always, the most surprising thing is that nobody but me was surprised !
B**** Heck! Wouldn't it make a bit of racket with a big hole where the cat would have been?! Didn't hear it....only ever hear the TVR.The insurance will pay out but after deducting £150 excess and 2 years no claims ! The police have been interested (if largely useless) and say that it seems to have started out Daventry way.
As always, the most surprising thing is that nobody but me was surprised !
Edited by stillgrinning on Thursday 14th August 15:53
Did they do any other damage?
sylva41 said:
stillgrinning said:
We took our Multipla in for a service on Monday, get a phone call half way through the morning to say that the cats been nicked and we need a new exhaust bit because they have cut through it to get the cat out. Nearly £600 to replace it and the exhaust !
The insurance will pay out but after deducting £150 excess and 2 years no claims ! The police have been interested (if largely useless) and say that it seems to have started out Daventry way.
As always, the most surprising thing is that nobody but me was surprised !
B**** Heck! Wouldn't it make a bit of racket with a big hole where the cat would have been?! Didn't hear it....only ever hear the TVR.The insurance will pay out but after deducting £150 excess and 2 years no claims ! The police have been interested (if largely useless) and say that it seems to have started out Daventry way.
As always, the most surprising thing is that nobody but me was surprised !
Edited by stillgrinning on Thursday 14th August 15:53
Did they do any other damage?
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