A catalytic converter (also called “cat converter” or just CAT) is the most important and valuable part of any vehicle.
Here’s why:
- It is important because it takes harmful emissions found in the exhaust and converts them into less harmful elements.
- It is valuable because it contains precious metals such as Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium. These metals represent a high scrap value that you could receive when recycling your car’s catalytic converter.
If you want to know the scrap value of your car’s catalytic converter, we’ll explain how to locate that scrap value by looking up the serial number of the catalytic converter as well as provide you with information on how to protect your catalytic converter from theft.
How to Find Catalytic Converter Scrap Value by Serial Number?
A catalytic converter changes the exhaust gases produced by your engine into less harmful gases. If you wish to dispose of your old catalytic converter: sell it, pass it along, or recycle it, knowing the scrap value of your converter is valuable.
To find the scrap value of your old catalytic converter based on the serial number, follow these three steps.
#1. Locate the Serial Number.
To identify the catalytic converter scrap value, you must first obtain the serial number.
The serial number of the catalytic converter is typically found directly on the casing of the device that supports it. The placement varies by car model. In addition, the serial number may be on a small tag attached to the catalytic converter or on the edges of the casing.
A serial number consists of a combination of numbers and letters, and can have a maximum of 12 characters depending on the car company.
#2. Use an Online Database.
After finding the catalytic converter serial number specific to your vehicle model and brand, you may be able to search various online databases and applications including Eco Cat to find market pricing for the catalytic converter.
This may also help you to identify the highest scrap prices or interested purchasers.
#3. Use Pictures to Gauge Scrap Price.
If you’ve had trouble finding the serial number of your scrap catalytic converter, another option to find out its scrap price is to take a picture of it and look it up on an online database of scrap catalytic converters.
We know how to find out about the scrap prices of catalytic converters using the serial number, however, there are also a few different formats used for serial numbers.
Common Catalytic Converter Serial Number Formats
You’ll find these serial numbers in different formats imprinted on the edges of your car’s catalytic converter.
| Car Brand | Serial Number Reference |
| Ford Catalytic Converter | 9–14 digits, usually split into three parts |
| Toyota Catalytic Converter | 5 characters with a combination of letters and digits. Some will have an “L” or an “R” after them |
| Dodge Catalytic Converter | Varies drastically from model to model |
| Volkswagen Catalytic Converter | 9 characters with a combination of 1-3 letters, all separated by spaces |
| General Motors Catalytic Converter | 8 digits, usually starting with “GM” |
| Nissan Catalytic Converter | Usually, 3 to 6 characters with a combination of letters and digits but may vary |
| Mazda Catalytic Converter | 4 characters with a combination of letters and digits |
| Honda Catalytic Converter | Varies drastically from model to model |
| Chevrolet Catalytic Converter | 7-10 digits |
| Aftermarket Catalytic Converter | Varies drastically from model to model |
| Medium Foreign Catalytic Converter | Varies drastically from model to model |
Prices for scrap catalytic converters fluctuate significantly due to a variety of reasons.
Location of Catalytic Converter Serial Number
The serial number of a catalytic converter may be stamped or engraved directly on the body, while the location depends on the type of vehicle. In some cases, the serial number may also be found on a small plate that has been welded to the reverse side of the body of the catalytic converter.
Here are the locations of the catalytic converter serial number for major car manufacturers:
1. GM.
Most GM catalytic converters have been labeled according to a standard procedure. In some cases, the label will have eight-digit numbers, which will serve as the catalytic converter serial number.
The label may also have just a few digits and start with GM: for example, GM115.
2. Chrysler/Dodge.
Chrysler and Dodge don’t have a standard procedure for labeling catalytic converters. Most of the time, the serial number is located at the edge of the catalytic converter and is not very long.
It may also have a number of digits, for example, “CLLC524AEB.” In other cases, it may have only a couple of digits such as “8H.”
3. Subaru:
Subaru’s catalytic converter generally has its two units on the down pipe. The serial number for the cat is on the body of the cat, in five characters, generally beginning with “OFCA”, followed by a number.
4. Ford:
Ford’s Catalytic converter has a longer serial number, usually 10 – 12 characters, with a combination of letter-number formats and a hyphen separating the two formats. An example of a Ford’s cat serial number would be “3T51-4W133-CB”.
5. Hyundai:
Hyundai produces catalytic converters similar to Kia. Each company has the same style of labeling. The serial number should be located on the body of the cat and contain 3-10 characters, a mixture of numbers and letters. An example would be “ABC” or “PTEE 12”.
6. Volkswagen:
Volkswagen has a unique way of labeling their Catalytic Converters. They typically have a serial number that can contain nine (9) numbers and 1-3 letters, with spaces between the numbers. An example would be “824 313 901 H”, or the more mixed version, “5J1 242 908 G”.
7. Aftermarket Catalytic Converters:
If a vehicle has a modified exhaust system, you may find that the Catalytic Converter has been removed. While this is illegal, many vehicles have been modifying their exhaust systems without installing Catalytic Converters.
If you install an aftermarket exhaust system, this may allow for more airflow, and increase the performance of the vehicle. The after-market catalytic converter should have some form of serial number, though most will not be following the same numbering system as OEM catalytic converters.
What Affects Catalytic Converter Value?
The types of catalytic converter you own has a huge effect on how much it will sell for. What rare metals are made up of can also influence the value of that converter, because the more rare metals are in it, the more money you will receive for it.
Whether the price is changed depends on the marketplace’s current value for those precious metals. Here are some examples of prices for precious metals at the time I wrote this article:
- Platinum: $923/ounce
- Palladium: $1911/ounce
- Rhodium: $14500/ounce
As with any rare metal, prices will change constantly. Thus, it is critical for you to check on what your catalytic converter is worth at the time you turn it in.
Some people may find that they can wait longer to get paid what their cats are worth because there is a small difference in value between different areas that can equal a large amount when selling the metal for scrap.
Another factor that causes you to receive the best price for scrap is the condition of the catalytic converter itself. If it is damaged or in poor condition, you will not receive the highest price for your catalytic converter.
Lastly, the geographic region of where you sell your catalytic converters matters. People who live in some states can expect to receive more money for their cats compared to others.
Highest Catalytic Converter Values
Some vehicles are recognized as having a higher value for catalytic converters than others. Some examples of vehicles that bring in the highest scrap values for catalytic converters include the below vehicles:
- Ferrari F430: $3,500
- Lamborghini Aventador: $3,200 each (contains 2)
- RAM 2500: $3,500
- Ford F-250: $2,750
- Ford Mustang: $1,500
If you own one of these vehicles, then you have a catalytic converter at risk of being stolen! The car itself has a much higher chance of having its catalytic converter stolen compared to other vehicles.
If you look at what these catalytic converters are bringing in for scrap, I am sure you can only imagine how much it will cost to replace one!
Average Catalytic Converter Values
According to RRCats.com, here are a few of the most common average catalytic converter scrap values.
- Small GM: $89-$123
- Small Domestic: $58-$195
- Small Foreign: $87-$198
- Regular Domestic: $59-$245
- Medium Foreign: $139-$345
- Large GM: $174-$345
- Large Foreign: $208-$492
- Diesel: $18-$595
- Aftermarket: $20
- Exotic: $543-$1095
To get a better estimate of how much your catalytic converter is worth you will need to find the part number and manufacturer of the converter. You can check out different companies from different platforms to see if there’s a price difference between companies.
If you’re too busy or don’t want to transport the piece of scrap yourself you can also create a posting online to sell your scrap metal and somebody will pick it up and you’ll get a percentage of the money at time of pick up.
When to Get a New Catalytic Converter (and Sell Your Old One for Scrap)
If you have trouble with your car’s catalytic converter, here are four signs that indicate it may be time for a new one:
- If your vehicle has an odometer reading of 100,000 miles, take your vehicle to a mechanic and have them check the condition of the catalytic converter. The converter has likely reached the maximum life expectancy.
- When you drive, if you hear a rattling sound coming from your catalytic converter, that sound could mean that there’s some kind of structural damage.
- The condition of a catalytic converter directly affects the performance of your engine and your fuel efficiency. If your car accelerates slowly or you notice your fuel consumption has increased significantly, you should consult a mechanic immediately.
- If you notice a horrible odor from the exhaust pipe, take note of it. This is most likely due to the catalytic converter no longer functioning properly since its job is to clean the exhaust gases, such as nitrogen oxides.
If your catalytic converter is damaged and you need to buy a new one, selling your old one may help you with the expense of a new one.
People usually sell their old catalytic converters to scrapyards; however, you’ll need to do some prep work beforehand.
How to Prepare for Catalytic Converter Recycling?
Before recycling your catalytic converter for scrap metal, follow these steps to ensure it gets recycled correctly:
1. Cut Pipes Off Exhaust:
To prepare your converter for recycling, you’ll want to remove both ends of the exhaust pipes (one at each end) as close to the casing as possible by cutting them with a tool of your choice.
2. Preserve The Inner Honeycomb Structure:
Look closely at your catalytic converter, and you will see that there is a honeycomb-like inner structure that acts as an auto catalyst support.
This structure filters exhaust fumes, as well as houses the precious metals that are found in the catalyst, so in order to maximize your potential sale price for your catalytic converter, you should preserve its inner structure.
If your catalytic converter is being stolen, how do you prevent it?
How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft?
Because catalytic converter prices go up every year, catalytic converter theft is increasingly occurring worldwide.
Don’t worry, there are numerous ways to keep thieves from taking your catalytic converter and selling it for its precious metals.
- Steel Shield Installation: Cat converters are easy to gain access to and must be covered with a steel plate to help keep them from being stolen.
- Marking Your Cat Converter with Your License Plate Number: Mark your converter (Cats) with fluoresce paint using your registration number. This will make it less appealing for scrap yards to purchase stolen cat converters.
- Car Alarm System: Install a car alarm system with a motion sensor to protect and alert you if anyone tries to steal any car parts.
- Surveillance Cameras: Install a camera next to your garage in case you experience a loss of an important car part.
Even if you take all of these precautionary measures, the likelihood of having your catalytic converter stolen will still increase if you own a vehicle that is prone to similar thefts.