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How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:13 pm
by claireheal
Hi everyone,
Only had my lovely Bongo (2.5l, V6, 1999) for 2 weeks and someone's stolen a section of the exhaust, I assume for the catalytic converter!
Trying to find a local secure garage to park her in from now on, but that might not be possible.
So, is there an additional cover or alarm or something to make the exhaust/cat more secure, ie harder to steal?!
All suggestions gratefully received.
Many thanks.
Claire

Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:56 pm
by Bob
Hello Claire, warm welcome.
Sorry to hear you've been targeted by those scum.
Don't know your circumstances, but if you park on your drive maybe cameras?
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 10:50 pm
by Harv
Do a search for catalyst protectors, there are a few products.. A well known one is catloc.co.uk,
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 1:54 pm
by Winnie-bongo
As you have a pre September 2002 you don't need a cat so can just put a piece of pipe in to replace the stolen cat, as the Bongo should have a non cat test at mot time

Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2021 3:53 pm
by Bob
That's good info.

Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2021 11:36 pm
by claireheal
Thanks chaps, appreciate your helpful suggestions.
Claire

Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:06 am
by Ian
However, this i also from the MOT testers guide:
"If a cat was fitted at the time of manufacture then it must be fitted at the time of inspection."
That doesn't mean it has to be tested, just present.
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 12:25 pm
by claireheal
Bob wrote: Sat Oct 16, 2021 8:56 pm
Hello Claire, warm welcome.
Sorry to hear you've been targeted by those scum.
Don't know your circumstances, but if you park on your drive maybe cameras?
Hi Bob,
Unfortunately I don't have a drive.
Looking for a lock-up garage locally.
Thanks.
Claire

Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:48 pm
by Bob
If you find one, and you have an AFT, make sure Bongy isn't too tall to go inside.
Edit: Just seen your location, we're in Nailsea.
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:13 pm
by claireheal
Bob wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 5:48 pm
If you find one, and you have an AFT, make sure Bongy isn't too tall to go inside.
Edit: Just seen your location, we're in Nailsea.
Aha, you're not far away there Bob
Don't suppose you know anyone with a lock-up garage they could rent to me in Bedminster/Southville area?
Very few around and pricey!
Claire

P.S. she's a tin-top, approx 2m high.
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:57 pm
by Bob
Strangely not.
As you say, very high demand for such things.
I'm guessing you use Bongy every day, but if not there are are storage places to be had, but a bit further away.
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2021 10:07 pm
by claireheal
Bob wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:57 pm
Strangely not.
As you say, very high demand for such things.
I'm guessing you use Bongy every day, but if not there are are storage places to be had, but a bit further away.
Ah well, it was worth asking, just in case!

Not every day, but often enough to need her nearby. The search continues!

Getting new cat fitted tomorrow so will prob park at a friends a couple miles away until I get a garage to rent nearby.
Thanks Bob.
Claire
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 3:33 pm
by Winnie-bongo
Ian wrote: Tue Oct 19, 2021 9:06 am
However, this i also from the MOT testers guide:
"If a cat was fitted at the time of manufacture then it must be fitted at the time of inspection."
That doesn't mean it has to be tested, just present.
I just asked DVSA this very question Ian
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:35 am
by Alkers
I actually saw on instagram where a garage had made a steel frame around someone's exhaust to prevent the cat from being stolen again. It was a bongo and all - looked horrific but would probably work
Re: How can I protect my new exhaust/catalytic converter from being stolen again??
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2021 3:00 pm
by cwilliams255
My drinking water tank is pretty close to the cat under the step, it has 3mm steel frame, it would make removal slightly awkward and I would like to think if they tried they’d nick the tank with the grinder and get 30L of water all over them. How much I expect a bit of water to inconvenience or upset then I don’t know but it would make me feel slightly better
