Catalytic converter theft is on the rise and no vehicle is immune, including the Audi Q7
. But you can reduce the chances of your “cat” going astray by parking in an area with high visibility, stamping your VIN onto the converter, or installing an anti-theft device, like a protective cage or saw-thwarting strap. If you’re concerned about the safety of your Audi Q7 catalytic converter—or if it was recently stolen—this quick reference guide will tell you everything you need to know, from how much a replacement Q7 cat typically costs, what kind of car insurance
covers catalytic converter theft, and how to protect your converter from future theft. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from an Audi Q7?
Not particularly, no. The Audi Q7 doesn’t make our list of cars most targeted by catalytic converter thieves
, thanks in large part to the fact that the Q7 has its catalytic converter located in the back of the engine bay. This means would-be thieves would need to be able to gain access to your Q7’s engine bay in order to remove it. That’s the good news. The bad news is that it still happens. No car is immune, and if a thief really wants your catalytic converter, they’ll get it.
The most targeted vehicles for catalytic converter thieves are vehicles with high ground clearances—like Ford F-Series pickups
—which allow access to the converter without the use of a car jack, and hybrid vehicles—like the Toyota Prius
—whose cats tend to be more valuable. While the Audi Q7’s ground clearance
does offer a decent amount of room for thieves to work with, the fact that the catalytic converter is located in the engine bay certainly helps to keep it safe. Top Audi Q7 years that catalytic converter thieves target
While all Audi Q7 models have their catalytic converters securely stowed in their engine bays, there are some Q7s that are more alluring to thieves than others. Audi Q7 55
models produced between 2020 and 2022 are outfitted with mild hybrid powertrains, which means their catalytic converters may be a little more valuable than Q7s, which have traditional gas engines. These models also have a ground clearance of 9.4 inches—nearly an inch and a half more than the first-generation Q7s.
But, while that extra ground clearance may be attractive to cat burglars, the fact that the converter is stashed in the engine bay does a lot of work to keep your Q7’s catalytic converter safe.
Why are Audi Q7 catalytic converters stolen?
The reason thieves are so interested in your catalytic converter is that they are packed with precious metals, like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, all of which have skyrocketed in value in recent years.
These metals are found in the honeycomb filter inside the catalytic converter and they transform your engine’s toxic fumes into less harmful gasses, like steam.
Here’s a look at the value of these metals as of December 2022:
Platinum: $990.17 per ounce
Palladium: $1,689.50 per ounce
Rhodium: $12,250 per ounce
Catalytic converters only contain a small amount of each of these metals—much less than an ounce—but thieves can steal several cats in an evening, making the endeavor profitable regardless. With easy access to catalytic converters located underneath a vehicle’s underbelly, a thief can remove your converter in under a minute with the right tools.
Audi catalytic converter replacement cost
According to the consumer advocate website RepairPal.com, replacing an Audi Q7 catalytic converter can cost between $2,500 and $3,000 after parts and labor. The exact cost will vary depending on the year of your Q7 and what mechanics are charging for parts and labor in your area of the country.
You can reduce the cost of replacing your Q7’s cat if you want to take on the work yourself. In this case, you can get an OEM catalytic converter for an Audi Q7 for between $590 and $2,155, depending on the year your Q7 was made.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from an Audi Q7
Although the Audi Q7 is a low-priority target for catalytic converter thieves, that doesn’t mean they are never targeted, and you should do your due diligence to keep your cat protected.
Here are some ways you can keep your Audi cat safe.
Park in a secure area
Parking in an area with good lighting and lots of foot traffic increases the chances that a catalytic converter thief will be caught in the act, so they’ll be less likely to mess with your Audi. Parking garages with video surveillance offer an added level of security, too.
When you’re at home, it is best to keep your Q7 out of sight of thieves in a garage, but if you don’t have a garage, installing motion sensor lights in your driveway will go a long way to keeping ne’er-do-wells away from your vehicle.
Buy a catalytic converter shield
You can also purchase a catalytic converter anti-theft device, such as a CatStrap™
or a CatClamp®
. These mechanisms provide a barrier that makes it extremely difficult for a thief to make off with your catalytic converter with any efficiency. If you have skid plates underneath your Q7, make sure that your anti-theft device will work alongside these protective shields. As an added bonus, you might qualify for a discount on your car insurance
by installing an anti-theft device and making yourself less likely to submit an insurance claim for catalytic converter theft. Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Etching your vehicle identification number (VIN) into your catalytic converter is another good way to deter thieves. Cats with a VIN etched on them can’t be sold on the illegal market, and ones that are stolen can be traced back to your vehicle if found.
You can have any muffler shop etch your VIN onto your Audi Q7 catalytic converter. You might also be able to have the procedure done for free at a catalytic converter etching event put on by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). Check with the NICB for upcoming events in your area.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive car insurance
pays for damage to your car resulting from hail, falling objects, water, wildlife, vandalism, and theft. While this won’t prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen, it will help prevent you from having to pay for the replacement cat. Without this type of coverage, you’ll be on the hook for all repairs and replacement costs related to the theft of your catalytic converter.
What to do if your Audi Q7’s catalytic converter is stolen
If you believe that your catalytic converter has been stolen
, the first thing you should do is alert the police and file a police report. If your Audi was parked in an area with security cameras, you might be able to obtain surveillance footage that will help bolster your case and catch the culprit. Next, you should call your insurance company. If you have comprehensive coverage in your car insurance policy, you should be able to file a claim for damages and replacement costs. Your police report will go a long way to help speed this process along.
Once you’ve sorted things out with your insurance company, they’ll assist you in making an appointment with a mechanic to have the necessary repairs completed. You’ll be liable for the deductible, but that will cost far less than the parts and labor for a catalytic converter replacement.
If your insurance won’t cover the cost of replacing your Q7’s catalytic converter, you’ll have to pay for the repairs out of your own pocket. You can save yourself a bit of money by going to a mechanic that will use cheaper aftermarket parts.
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Can you drive an Audi Q7 without a catalytic converter?
The catalytic converter is not essential to your vehicle’s operation, so you will still be able to drive it, although the ride will be loud and rough. If your state requires you to pass regular emissions tests, you won’t pass without a cat, which means you cannot legally drive your vehicle until you have the catalytic converter replaced.
To sum up: driving your Q7 without a catalytic converter is safe, but it’s not great for the environment and it might cause complications if you don’t replace it before emissions testing deadlines.
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