A catalytic converter is worth $50 to $250 in scrap for most vehicles. Converters from hybrid vehicles, trucks, and luxury cars can be worth $250 to $500 or more.
Catalytic converter scrap value by vehicle type:
| Vehicle Type | Typical Converter Value |
|---|---|
| Small cars (Civic, Corolla) | $50 to $150 |
| Mid-size sedans (Camry, Accord) | $75 to $200 |
| Trucks and SUVs | $100 to $300 |
| Hybrid vehicles (Prius, Insight) | $200 to $500+ |
| Luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes) | $150 to $400 |
Why catalytic converters have high scrap value:
- Contain precious metals: platinum, palladium, and rhodium
- Rhodium trades at $4,000 to $15,000+ per ounce
- Palladium trades at $900 to $2,000+ per ounce
- Platinum trades at $900 to $1,100+ per ounce
- Hybrid converters contain higher concentrations of precious metals
Scrap buyers and recyclers pay based on the converter’s serial number, vehicle origin, and current precious metal prices. Prices change daily based on commodity markets. When selling your entire vehicle, junk car buyers include the converter’s value in their offer.