It takes thieves about 90 seconds to steal a catalytic converter. A theft that could cost dealers and customers thousands of dollars, especially if the damage goes beyond the converter.
For context: The Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act, addresses catalytic converter theft from the federal level and was discussed during a Jan. 13 meeting in front of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, on Capitol Hill, according to Charlie Dyjak, senior manager of legislative affairs for NADA.
“[The bill has] momentum behind it, and we're hoping to get it across the finish line this year,” Dyjak told Daily Dealer Live hosts Sam D’Arc and Uli De’ Martino.
Converter loss costs: Greg York, CEO of Vann York Auto Group, said his group had about 30 catalytic converters stolen in 2025, some from inventory, some from customers. “That’s a light year for us,” York shared on the Daily Dealer Live segment.
The financial cost depends on what the thief gets, York explained.
Just the converter alone can cost $2,500-$4,000.
Costs can climb to $5,000 if the thief cuts deeper into the exhaust system.
Why they do it: It’s a fast way to snag cash through a for-now untraceable part.
The precious metals of platinum, palladium and rhodium within a converter can sell for an average of up to about $200-$300.
Dyjak said rhodium’s price rose to $30,000 an ounce at one point.
And if someone were to get pulled over now with a slew of converters, there’s no way to prove where they came from.
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How legislation can help: If passed, the PART Act will help curb theft in four ways, Dyjak said.
A requirement for new vehicles to have some sort of traceable number stamped on converters when it’s made.
A $7 million grant fund for dealers to help mark converters on old cars.
Creating a federal-level penalty for stealing, selling or moving converters.
More intense-record keeping for converter purchases.
Protecting vehicles now: Even cameras don’t necessarily help curb the issue, York said, adding “you just end up getting a video of somebody stealing a catalytic converter and you watch them do it.”
His group has sometimes pulled customer vehicles inside.
And they also hired someone to watch a big fleet truck order, because those converters are so easy to get to, York said.
Call to action: Dyjak said he can lobby politicians all day but dealer voices really make the difference. He suggests dealers contact their appropriate representatives and senators — and NADA can help make a connection to do so.
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