A good strategy, one which I would take if I could wind back the clock to pre-theft of mine.However DO NOT SELL YOUR VALUABLE CAT TO THE GARAGE! , it has an underworld value of £350. Did the Garage tell you the figure? If thieves see a non-Honda Cat they do not bother with theft
A good strategy to fit a pattern Cat and keep the original in reserve in case your car does fail an MOT in the future, or sell it to a recycler when you dispose of the Jazz in a few years hence. The Cat can be fitted easily (5 bolts 2 at the top , 3 at the bottom end)
Prices new Honda vs non-Honda:
Honda Cat £1200, Honda gas sensors 2 required £560, Centre pipe (they cut this pipe too) £225 Total £2000 plus labour.
Non-Honda Cat B& M £80, 2 Sensors Lucas LEB455/456 £80, Total £160 plus labour..
The B& M Cat and Lucas sensors gave very good figures for the MoT exhaust gas test, an easy pass. I detect a slight reduction in mpg of 2 mpg but the Jazz still gives 60 to 61 mpg on the mpg gauge on a long run.
The low underworld cost of the B&M cat means thieves see the non-Honda cat and depart
The mechanic said he will pay me £300 ish for the Honda part but ofcourse I will need to pay for the replacement. Is replacing the genuine part a more effective approach than installing a guard. I do not have a garage to park my car and I do not like the thoughts of not able to use my car to shop because of fear of someone messing the car, specially when I go out with my family and kids. I would do what's best to be able to think and act and use my car as normal as possible.
I would not sell him the Honda Cat for £300, he is looking to take your money, just keep it until you sell the car, and then sell it on yourself . In addition, if you have a B& M pattern Cat for £80, then have the Honda OEM sensors swapped into the new Cat. Just buy a Cat and let him fit it or fit it yourself, it is an easy job. Note you car is Euro 4, the Cat should also be Euro 4 specification.
A Cat guard in the form of a sheet metal undertray will cost you at least £40 for the guard, I do not think it will make a difference, the thief will cut the guard ( they turn up equipped with battery powered cutters) . Swapping out your £2000 worth of part for an £80 Cat is definitely the better solution, without any doubt!
I live in London and purposely seeking other Dsi Jazz owners in the local supermarket car park to warn them, to hear too late, it has already happened,, 4 out 5 had been victims of theft, it is not a matter of if, it is it WILL happen!, again to press the point the thieves are not interested in a pattern Cat, they have no underworld value
I wish I could be in your situation, £80 to solve a problem!