Catalytic converters have been required in all gasoline-powered cars and trucks in the U.S. since 1975. They are part of a car’s exhaust system and help reduce toxic emissions and pollutants. Catalytic converters also contain precious metals like palladium, platinum, and rhodium which are sometimes sold illegally. While this is not only illegal, it is also dangerous, as the contents of catalytic converters are considered hazardous waste and should be disposed of properly.
The theft of catalytic converters has become noticeably on the rise within the last few years. In the last year due to the recent pandemic, the problem has exponentially increased as the price of precious metals used in catalytic converters has gone way up in value.
One metal, rhodium for example, has skyrocketed to sometimes as much as $28,000.00 per ounce. Only a small fraction of that quantity is used in one catalytic converter. Although it is only worth a couple of hundred dollars, it still makes for a decent bounty for the local catalytic converter thief. Combine multiple thefts and it can start to add up to quite a bit!
Many car insurance companies have reported increasing claims of converter theft within the last few years. Double within the last year alone.
You wake up and get ready for work like any other day. Make your coffee, lunch, grab your keys and phone and head out the door. You get behind the wheel and start your car only to hear the loudest roar like you just started up a Harly Davidson!
This has become all too common to many people across the nation.
When your catalytic converter is gone, the engine noise does not get the chance to make it to the muffler and the result sounds like a freight train. There will be no mistake that your cat has been stolen.
You would not notice when approaching your vehicle, but you sure will once you start it!
There are a few options that may help prevent this type of theft. Some mechanics suggest welding the heads on the catalytic converter bolts, or simply shearing them off.
The aftermarket has responded by designing products to deter and prevent catalytic converter theft. The thought process behind such devices is that if it takes too long to make the theft, the thief will move on to easier targets. The “CatClamp”, for example, which starts at $150, is a cage installed around the catalytic converter that makes for a lengthy amount of time to steal the cat. This product can be installed by a mechanic or at home with a specialized tool that is included with the device and is backed by a money-back guarantee.
Let’s face it, most of the time we don’t give much thought to this happening to our vehicle. Any car or truck can be a victim, but especially trucks with a higher clearance tend to be at a higher risk of theft as it is simply easier to access the cat.
While a thief can score a few hundred bucks per catalytic converter, it could cost around $2,000 to repair a car if yours is stolen. Here are some tips to reduce the risk of catalytic converter theft:
If you have a garage at home with a secure garage door, this can vastly improve your vehicle’s safety. People who have a truck with a lot of clearance underneath might want to use aftermarket products to protect their catalytic converter.
There are many products out there to choose from, so do your homework and find one that suits your vehicle and your budget best.
At the Catalytic Converter Shop, we always welcome you to visit us or give us a call to ask about what you can do to improve your catalytic converter’s safety.
Meineke quoted $1,400 for the catalytic converters alone! These guys gave us an $800 quote for everything and ended up calling us and telling us that we could wait on the pipe for now and that our bill would be closer to $500! I will never go anyplace else for muffler work ever again.
Yelp!
I’ve been going here for years - love these guys. Honest, reasonable and thorough. I’ve gone in thinking I needed an expensive job, and they sent me away saying I didn’t actually need anything. Plus they are fun to talk with.
Conventional auto repairers asked $900 to replace the whole system but they fixed it for $125. Also every employee in this place was very gentle and helpful. Totally recommend it.
I’ve been in the automotive industry for 20 years....This is a professional shop that i have always and will always trust!
Dealer said would be a $1,700 fix. Here was $200!! Quick and good. Highly recommend.
Love these guys! They took our car in as soon as we walked in the door. What our dealership quoted $1,300 to fix, they did for $125 (with a 2 year warranty) in less than an hour.
They're affordable and reliable and do quality work no hidden tricks or gimmicks. if i could give more STARS i would i HIGHLY recommend coming here than anywhere else.
High quality work does by a team that is professional and polite. HALF the cost of a Honda dealership. More importantly they talked me through the entire problem, proposed repairs, options and cost/price points. Never had a better experience!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
I asked on Facebook who everyone would recommend and was told this place over 10 different times! They fixed my car in 90 minutes. I would gladly recommend this place over and over again! Best experience ever! Highly impressed!!!
Got my car in right away and saved me HUNDREDS of dollars!! Talk about an amazing, honest & professional mechanic! Thank you thank you THANK YOU for not only saving my car but also my bank account! My sister & father are also customers, we all HIGHLY recommend.
All my family and friends know and trust this company. I went in there expecting to spend about $600-700 and a few hours to a day without my truck. They took me right away and I was out of the place in 30 min from the moment I pulled in and only spent a little over $100. I was amazed at the speed and price.
Meineke quoted $1,400 for the catalytic converters alone! These guys gave us an $800 quote for everything and ended up calling us and telling us that we could wait on the pipe for now and that our bill would be closer to $500! I will never go anyplace else for muffler work ever again.
Yelp!
I’ve been going here for years - love these guys. Honest, reasonable and thorough. I’ve gone in thinking I needed an expensive job, and they sent me away saying I didn’t actually need anything. Plus they are fun to talk with.
Conventional auto repairers asked $900 to replace the whole system but they fixed it for $125. Also every employee in this place was very gentle and helpful. Totally recommend it.
I’ve been in the automotive industry for 20 years....This is a professional shop that i have always and will always trust!
Dealer said would be a $1,700 fix. Here was $200!! Quick and good. Highly recommend.
Love these guys! They took our car in as soon as we walked in the door. What our dealership quoted $1,300 to fix, they did for $125 (with a 2 year warranty) in less than an hour.
They're affordable and reliable and do quality work no hidden tricks or gimmicks. if i could give more STARS i would i HIGHLY recommend coming here than anywhere else.
High quality work does by a team that is professional and polite. HALF the cost of a Honda dealership. More importantly they talked me through the entire problem, proposed repairs, options and cost/price points. Never had a better experience!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
I asked on Facebook who everyone would recommend and was told this place over 10 different times! They fixed my car in 90 minutes. I would gladly recommend this place over and over again! Best experience ever! Highly impressed!!!
Got my car in right away and saved me HUNDREDS of dollars!! Talk about an amazing, honest & professional mechanic! Thank you thank you THANK YOU for not only saving my car but also my bank account! My sister & father are also customers, we all HIGHLY recommend.
All my family and friends know and trust this company. I went in there expecting to spend about $600-700 and a few hours to a day without my truck. They took me right away and I was out of the place in 30 min from the moment I pulled in and only spent a little over $100. I was amazed at the speed and price.
When it comes to choosing the right catalytic converter for your vehicle, there are many things to consider. Price, performance, and what your state’s regulations are when it comes to passing emissions tests. Below is our 4 point guide on what steps we take to make sure you get the right catalytic converter to meet your needs.
Catalytic converters have become commonplace in today’s world of motor vehicle usage. It has not always been this way. In the past, rising pollution levels due to vehicle exhaust fumes have become the cause of the haze of smog that fills the air over many major cities. With millions of cars on the roads across America, it is no wonder something had to be done.
Catalytic converters are an essential part of every vehicle’s exhaust system. They convert harmful exhaust gases into less harmful emissions before they leave your vehicle’s tailpipe. Through the years they have progressed from non-existence to a great option to help protect the environment, to a mandatory part of every motor vehicle’s exhaust system.
Book an appointment with The Catalytic Converter Shop in Massachusetts today to have your catalytic converter inspected, repaired, or replaced by our experienced team of professionals. We will make the process fast and easy. Click below to send us your details, or call us today at (978) 536-9311.
Meineke quoted $1,400 for the catalytic converters alone! These guys gave us an $800 quote for everything and ended up calling us and telling us that we could wait on the pipe for now and that our bill would be closer to $500! I will never go anyplace else for muffler work ever again.
Yelp!
I’ve been going here for years - love these guys. Honest, reasonable and thorough. I’ve gone in thinking I needed an expensive job, and they sent me away saying I didn’t actually need anything. Plus they are fun to talk with.
Conventional auto repairers asked $900 to replace the whole system but they fixed it for $125. Also every employee in this place was very gentle and helpful. Totally recommend it.
I’ve been in the automotive industry for 20 years....This is a professional shop that i have always and will always trust!
Dealer said would be a $1,700 fix. Here was $200!! Quick and good. Highly recommend.
Love these guys! They took our car in as soon as we walked in the door. What our dealership quoted $1,300 to fix, they did for $125 (with a 2 year warranty) in less than an hour.
They're affordable and reliable and do quality work no hidden tricks or gimmicks. if i could give more STARS i would i HIGHLY recommend coming here than anywhere else.
High quality work does by a team that is professional and polite. HALF the cost of a Honda dealership. More importantly they talked me through the entire problem, proposed repairs, options and cost/price points. Never had a better experience!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
I asked on Facebook who everyone would recommend and was told this place over 10 different times! They fixed my car in 90 minutes. I would gladly recommend this place over and over again! Best experience ever! Highly impressed!!!
Got my car in right away and saved me HUNDREDS of dollars!! Talk about an amazing, honest & professional mechanic! Thank you thank you THANK YOU for not only saving my car but also my bank account! My sister & father are also customers, we all HIGHLY recommend.
All my family and friends know and trust this company. I went in there expecting to spend about $600-700 and a few hours to a day without my truck. They took me right away and I was out of the place in 30 min from the moment I pulled in and only spent a little over $100. I was amazed at the speed and price.
Meineke quoted $1,400 for the catalytic converters alone! These guys gave us an $800 quote for everything and ended up calling us and telling us that we could wait on the pipe for now and that our bill would be closer to $500! I will never go anyplace else for muffler work ever again.
Yelp!
I’ve been going here for years - love these guys. Honest, reasonable and thorough. I’ve gone in thinking I needed an expensive job, and they sent me away saying I didn’t actually need anything. Plus they are fun to talk with.
Conventional auto repairers asked $900 to replace the whole system but they fixed it for $125. Also every employee in this place was very gentle and helpful. Totally recommend it.
I’ve been in the automotive industry for 20 years....This is a professional shop that i have always and will always trust!
Dealer said would be a $1,700 fix. Here was $200!! Quick and good. Highly recommend.
Love these guys! They took our car in as soon as we walked in the door. What our dealership quoted $1,300 to fix, they did for $125 (with a 2 year warranty) in less than an hour.
They're affordable and reliable and do quality work no hidden tricks or gimmicks. if i could give more STARS i would i HIGHLY recommend coming here than anywhere else.
High quality work does by a team that is professional and polite. HALF the cost of a Honda dealership. More importantly they talked me through the entire problem, proposed repairs, options and cost/price points. Never had a better experience!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
I asked on Facebook who everyone would recommend and was told this place over 10 different times! They fixed my car in 90 minutes. I would gladly recommend this place over and over again! Best experience ever! Highly impressed!!!
Got my car in right away and saved me HUNDREDS of dollars!! Talk about an amazing, honest & professional mechanic! Thank you thank you THANK YOU for not only saving my car but also my bank account! My sister & father are also customers, we all HIGHLY recommend.
All my family and friends know and trust this company. I went in there expecting to spend about $600-700 and a few hours to a day without my truck. They took me right away and I was out of the place in 30 min from the moment I pulled in and only spent a little over $100. I was amazed at the speed and price.