Three Tips for Catalytic Converter Recycling

There may come a time when you need to replace your car’s catalytic converter. When that time comes, you may have heard that there is value in used converters, and you can potentially get up to a thousand dollars for something that is no use to you. That would be accurate. In fact, in our decades of experience, we have educated thousands on this while also teaching how to properly recycle their converters. Make sure you get the most for your catalytic converter by following these 3 simple tips.

1^st Know Your Catalytic Converter

The most important step is to understand what kind of catalytic converter you have. Yes, they are not all created equally. Each vehicle has its own specific converter, and depending on how old your vehicle is, you may have an aftermarket. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) catalytic converters are far more valuable than aftermarket catalytic converters.

The number of precious metals found inside a catalytic converter determines its actual value. You should think about whether your converter is from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or from a third-party vendor. This will be a major differentiator, and it will have a big impact on the price you get paid. It’s easy to tell if the converter is aftermarket by looking at the casing around it. Most aftermarkets have a silver casing with an arrow imprinted on it. For more information on the differences between OEM and aftermarket, see our other article.

Another thing to keep in mind is the converter’s year, make, and model. As previously stated, each make of vehicle has its own converter, some of which are well known to be extremely valuable. A converter for Toyota Priuses, for example, has sold for over a thousand dollars. This is due to the precious metals that have been loaded inside.

If the part number is legible, you can quickly determine the value of your converter using our free catalytic converter price guide!

2^nd Separate Your Converter from its exhaust pipes.

The following step is to prepare your converter for sale. Cutting the exhaust pipes will earn you a higher rate because you will save the recycler money on labor costs associated with properly preparing them. This will also save you money on shipping costs because the package’s weight will be reduced.

3^rd Make Sure You Can See the Monolith

What is the definition of a ceramic monolith? Within the converter, there is a honeycomb-like mesh. The precious metals are found here. Precious metals are applied to each monolith. Of course, because this is a scrap item, it will have normal wear and tear, which is to be expected in this business. However, if it is not completely intact, you should expect a low return. Without it, your converter is essentially worthless. You would simply have a piece of metal that will act as a shell and a small amount of steel scrap.

If you’re looking to sell a catalytic converter, you’ve come to the right place. To find out how much your converter will cost, use our free online pricing guide.