The catalytic converter is often the most valuable component in a scrapped car. It contains platinum, palladium and rhodium — precious metals worth more than gold by weight. Here's what affects the price and how to make sure you're not short-changed.
Typical range: A standard petrol cat converter is worth £50–£300+ for scrap. Diesel DPF units: £20–£150. Hybrid cats (e.g. Toyota Prius): £150–£500+.
Why catalytic converters have scrap value
Inside every catalytic converter is a ceramic or metallic honeycomb coated with a thin layer of platinum group metals (PGMs): platinum, palladium and rhodium. These rare metals catalyse exhaust reactions that reduce harmful emissions — and they survive the scrapping process intact, ready to be refined and reused.
Rhodium alone trades at over £3,000 per troy ounce on metals markets. A single large hybrid catalytic converter may contain several grams of these metals combined, which is why cat theft remains a major problem.
Catalytic converter scrap prices by vehicle type
| Vehicle type | Approx. scrap value |
|---|---|
| Standard petrol (small/medium car) | £50–£150 |
| Standard petrol (large/4×4) | £100–£300 |
| Diesel DPF (most modern cars) | £20–£150 |
| Toyota Prius / hybrid | £150–£500 |
| BMW / Mercedes large engine | £150–£400 |
| Performance / V8 cars | £200–£600+ |
Prices fluctuate with precious metal markets. These figures reflect 2024 UK scrap dealer rates.
Factors that affect cat converter value
- Metal content: Higher-displacement engines typically have larger cats with more PGMs.
- Age: Pre-2000 cats often have higher metal loading per unit.
- Condition: Intact honeycomb substrate is worth more than a broken or clogged one.
- Manufacturer: Toyota, Honda and BMW cats are particularly sought after by refiners.
Should you sell the cat separately?
If you're scrapping the whole car, most ATF dealers will include the catalytic converter value in their overall quote. However, some will quote for the shell (body metal) only and treat parts separately.
If you remove the cat yourself and sell it to a specialist precious metals dealer, you may get 10–30% more. However, this adds complexity and is only worthwhile for high-value units (hybrids, large SUVs).
Important: never sell a catalytic converter without proof that you own the vehicle. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 requires dealers to record seller identity, and selling a stolen cat is a serious criminal offence.
Catalytic converter theft — why it matters for scrap value
If your cat has been stolen before you scrap the car, expect to lose £50–£500 from your scrap quote. ATFs price vehicle condition carefully, and a missing catalytic converter is one of the most significant deductions.
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