Catalytic converters are an essential part of your exhaust system that reduces your emission level. They are also popular targets for theft, a result of some of the rarer resources needed to manufacture them. We wanted to take some time today to talk about catalytic converters, why criminals steal them, and what you should do if they’re taken from your car.

Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen?

Catalytic converters filter the exhaust created by your car’s engine, reducing the level of pollution they expel. To filter the pollution out, rare metals like palladium and platinum are used, and these rare metals are what attract criminals. All a criminal needs to do to steal a catalytic converter is crawl under a vehicle and cut it right out of your undercarriage.

Yes, your car will run fine without your catalytic converters, but good luck trying to get your vehicle through an emission’s test. Additionally, you could face hefty fines from the government for breach of environmental regulations. Ultimately, if your converters are stolen, we recommend you use another mode of transportation until new ones have been installed.

If your catalytic converters have been stolen, the first thing you should do is report the crime to police. They will take your report and hopefully will be able to find them. After you’ve spoken with the police, the next thing you should do is contact a professional Maryland auto-repair specialist.

If your catalytic converters have been stolen, you’ll need to have some new ones installed immediately. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common crime, so we see a lot of people come to our shop in need of catalytic converter replacement. Get into contact with our team of mechanics today to learn more about the services we offer.