Depending on where you live, many options exist for selling your old or scrap catalytic converter. Often, junkyards and scrap metal places offer the best price. To get the best price, make sure to include the serial number. It will give the buyer a better idea of what car it came from.
Junkyards
If you want to sell a catalytic converter, you have several local options. Junk yards, auto salvage yards, and scrap metal facilities are common local sources for selling used catalytic converters. These are generally easy to locate and offer competitive cash prices for your converter. Just be sure to call before making the trip to ensure your efforts won’t go to waste. When searching for a buyer, find one that follows the precious metals market and specializes in buying these parts. They should be able to accurately assess the value of your converter and purchase it at a fair price. If the converter doesn’t have a serial number, an expert should be able to identify it from its honeycomb screen or other markings. They should also have a reliable method for extracting the precious metals from the catalytic converter. It can save time and money required for mining new materials.
Scrap Yards
Local scrap yards are great options for selling converters but don’t assume they will give you the best price. They are middlemen who must make a profit, and they don’t have the resources to process your converters correctly to get the highest prices for rare metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Consider working with online scrap catalytic converter buyers to ensure your converter is properly analyzed and processed. They’ll need your serial number and a picture to determine its worth. If you’re worried about rust or dirt masking your serial number, try rubbing it with oil or steel wool. Then, run it through one of the many converter databases available to determine its worth. Lastly, be sure to protect your catalytic converters from theft. Experienced criminals can remove a converter in minutes, leaving you with a large replacement bill. Keeping them locked away will prevent this.
Online Buyers
Some online buyers specialize in buying catalytic converters. Since they deal with these parts frequently and have a database that shows the current prices of cat converters, they can give you a fair price without undervaluing it. You can find these purchasers by phoning them or looking at their websites. They typically request the serial number of the catalytic converter and use it to determine its current cost. Make sure you are dealing with an actual buyer and not an intermediary, as they will take a cut of your money for themselves. Search for reviews of the company on a third-party website. Look for a recycler who wants your cat con for the precious metals it contains rather than as a spare part. It will be much more lucrative for you. Also, ensure they have a process for grading and giving you a quote.
Dealers
The precious metals inside a catalytic converter (platinum, palladium, and rhodium) make it valuable. The market for these metals is at an all-time high, so these auto parts are worth much money. However, if you sell your converter to a junkyard or scrap yard specializing in catalytic converters, they may need more knowledge and experience to pay a fair price. Look for buyers that ask for serial numbers and clear photos of the converter. These companies can use the information to determine which vehicle the converter came from and offer you a more accurate quote. This process is called assay. It is a more involved process but will ensure you get the highest value for your converter. Dealers will also know how to recycle the rest of the materials within the converter properly. It means you will be provided with an adequate converter. It is important because criminals are known to steal these converters for their precious metals and other materials.
