Shocked to find my car cat got cut out recently. Done on home drive most likely overnight. My concern is the cat again being stolen if it's replaced. There is a couple of nice cars (the petrol head type) around my area and lots of nice newer model hybrids that I understand they mainly target. I would be surprised if they don't come back. The front section looks to have been unbolted, but I'm not totally sure as the car is low to the ground. The rear section has been cut completely meaning they have taken the connecting flange. They haven't left any jack marks and the folded cut section, lack of noise etc to me shows they knew exactly what they were doing. There isn't much MOT left on the car currently and it still has some resale value. Needs to be fixed ideally.
I understand my car has two o2 sensors (one pre cat) and it is probably the second o2 sensor wire that has been cut? Would they cut both doubling the cost to replace?
The stock cat to replace is looking like £500.00 min 2nd hand (we're talking off cars 15+ years old). I'd be concerned about spending so much on something half knackered.
1. Go through insurance, or try to, and they look for OEM parts with high risk of expensive cat being stolen again together with o2 sensor wire again being cut and back in same position. Premiums also increased etc.
2. Buy a cheaper high flow sports cat myself, 3rd party o2 sensor and take it to a local exhaust fab and have them weld a connecting pipe in for the replacement. Still at risk of new cat being stolen, but less likely due to lower value (not hugely so, but it's less plus it's a new item with warranty etc).
3. Buy a cheap stock 3rd party cat myself, 3rd party o2 sensor and take it to a local exhaust fab and have them weld a connecting pipe in for the replacement. Still at risk of new cat being stolen, but much less likely as it holds so much less value.
4. This will be frowned upon, but when you're a target of theft like this and we're talking hundreds with lots of faff, I see it an a 'none ideal' option still. Car does low mileage. Buy a 3rd party decat pipe, 3rd party o2 sensor and either a high flow cat or a cheap 3rd party cat (which?) and take it to a local exhaust fab who agree to weld in flanges so that the pipe can be removed and you can fit the cat for MOT purposes.
5. Sell the car as is and take a large hit on the value. Avoid potential issues going forward with the car type I buy and it's low value cat.
6. Fix the car with option 2. or 3. and sell the car - I'd probably want to store it after the work is done in case they come back for further theft. The new car will of course have a cat they can steal again as above, although depending on the value, far less likely.
To make matters worse. The AA years ago snapped a tow hook with it installed in the threads. This needs drilling out presumably so it can go on a low loader to an exhaust fab place as there's no other safe way of moving the car? Is the car even driveable without the cat and o2 sensor or can damage be done, will it cut out etc?
Should add - don't want to install a cat theft item as they aren't cheap and from what I understand, if they want the cat that badly, they will cut out the entire floor section of your vehicle the item is attached to - could be a write off/spare parts bin etc.
I don't even see option 1. as a true option as I'm convinced they will come back as why wouldn't you given the value for 10 minutes work.
Any input appreciated
Please no 4090 jokes, reference to the belt, corner sofa, letterbox, out of focus images. I can't take it right now.
Yes car cat, not an actual cat. I didn't put up posters for a car cat.
I understand my car has two o2 sensors (one pre cat) and it is probably the second o2 sensor wire that has been cut? Would they cut both doubling the cost to replace?
The stock cat to replace is looking like £500.00 min 2nd hand (we're talking off cars 15+ years old). I'd be concerned about spending so much on something half knackered.
1. Go through insurance, or try to, and they look for OEM parts with high risk of expensive cat being stolen again together with o2 sensor wire again being cut and back in same position. Premiums also increased etc.
2. Buy a cheaper high flow sports cat myself, 3rd party o2 sensor and take it to a local exhaust fab and have them weld a connecting pipe in for the replacement. Still at risk of new cat being stolen, but less likely due to lower value (not hugely so, but it's less plus it's a new item with warranty etc).
3. Buy a cheap stock 3rd party cat myself, 3rd party o2 sensor and take it to a local exhaust fab and have them weld a connecting pipe in for the replacement. Still at risk of new cat being stolen, but much less likely as it holds so much less value.
4. This will be frowned upon, but when you're a target of theft like this and we're talking hundreds with lots of faff, I see it an a 'none ideal' option still. Car does low mileage. Buy a 3rd party decat pipe, 3rd party o2 sensor and either a high flow cat or a cheap 3rd party cat (which?) and take it to a local exhaust fab who agree to weld in flanges so that the pipe can be removed and you can fit the cat for MOT purposes.
5. Sell the car as is and take a large hit on the value. Avoid potential issues going forward with the car type I buy and it's low value cat.
6. Fix the car with option 2. or 3. and sell the car - I'd probably want to store it after the work is done in case they come back for further theft. The new car will of course have a cat they can steal again as above, although depending on the value, far less likely.
To make matters worse. The AA years ago snapped a tow hook with it installed in the threads. This needs drilling out presumably so it can go on a low loader to an exhaust fab place as there's no other safe way of moving the car? Is the car even driveable without the cat and o2 sensor or can damage be done, will it cut out etc?
Should add - don't want to install a cat theft item as they aren't cheap and from what I understand, if they want the cat that badly, they will cut out the entire floor section of your vehicle the item is attached to - could be a write off/spare parts bin etc.
I don't even see option 1. as a true option as I'm convinced they will come back as why wouldn't you given the value for 10 minutes work.
Any input appreciated
Please no 4090 jokes, reference to the belt, corner sofa, letterbox, out of focus images. I can't take it right now.
Yes car cat, not an actual cat. I didn't put up posters for a car cat.
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