4x4 owners are facing further misery as catalytic converter thieves target their vehicles.
Thieves are now targeting off-road vehicles - because of their high ground clearance - to steal the catalyst part of the exhaust.
It means owners could be left with a bill of in excess of £2000 and follows a tough few months for driver of off-roaders, who have seen rises in fuel and tax costs and dealers turning away part exchanges.
Police believe that thousands of cars have already been targeted and as long as the price of platinum remains high, anyone who owns a 4x4 could be at risk. The platinum and rhodium in the catalytic converter are the materials that the thieves actually want - each converter can be sold for up to £200.
Northamptonshire police said: "Thieves are known to strike in broad daylight, in busy areas. They look for easy targets and 4x4 vehicles are especially at risk because their catalytic converters are only bolted on."
"It takes only three minutes to steal one. In some cases, thieves have been seen using mechanical dollies to slide under vehicles more easily."
Parker's has learnt that even some emergency services have been affected, with some ambulances being taken off the road.
The most targeted models include the Mitsubishi L200, BMW X5, and Ford Ranger as well as the Mitsubishi Shogun and Land Rover Discovery.
As well as private car owners falling victim to the thieves, car showrooms have also come under attack with catalytic converters being stolen from forecourts.
The bad news comes as owners of 4x4s are finding it tough to shift their cars, resulting in a landslide in used values. The high fuel prices and upcoming road tax increases for high-emission off-roaders has coincided to force values down and deter potential buyers.
Catalytic converters are used to reduce the toxic emissions from a car's exhaust. They are an integrated part of the exhaust system and are usually fitted below the driver or passenger footwell.
If the catalytic converter has been stolen from your vehicle there will be a loud rattling coming from underneath the vehicle but can still be driven to a garage for repairs.
Insurance companies are advising motorists to take out cover to protect their no claims bonus due to the costs of repair bills.
They also recommend a number of other ways to help protect your car including getting the part permanently marked at a garage and fitting alarms sensitive to the car being moved.
Trevor Scrivenor, 63, WhittleseyTrevor had his catalytic converter stolen from right under his nose, with his Ford Ranger parked on his well-lit driveway.
He was quoted £1763 at a Ford dealership to replace it and told that he would need a brand new exhaust unit fitted.
