When sold as scrap, Toyota catalytic converters can fetch between $75 and $700. Depending on the brand and model of the car, a catalytic converter’s price can change. The Toyota Prius has some of the most expensive catalytic converters.
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How much precious metal is in a catalytic converter from a Toyota?
As the prices of the precious metals they contain continue to soar, catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise over the past few years and don’t appear to be slowing down. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that from 2019 to 2020, catalytic converter thefts increased by an astounding 325 percent. The pricing of the preceding metals required for a catalytic converter’s operation and the situation of the world’s supply networks can both be significant factors.
The exhaust system contains catalytic converters, which are muffler-shaped components that eliminate dangerous particles from engine emissions. The precious metals that are coated on the inside of a catalytic converter’s honeycomb structure serve as a catalyst to break down the harmful pollutants and transform them into less damaging emissions. (This video demonstrates how everything operates.) The catalyst process inside a catalytic converter transforms toxic gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide that are released by engines into less damaging compounds such as water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen.
Modern catalytic converters normally have two stages: the reduction catalyst in the first stage removes nitrogen oxide, and the oxidation catalyst in the second stage removes carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons. Typically, these stages are supported by ceramic honeycomb catalyst structures and cerium catalyst structures, and they are coated with the pricey precious metals that burglars are after.
The price rises for platinum and palladium were less pronounced, but spot prices are still higher than those of 2019, and the price of palladium approximately doubled from the start of 2019 to the end of 2020. Palladium prices have somewhat stabilized, but they are still higher today than they were at the beginning of the year by more than 30%. The COVID-19 pandemic has an effect on the supply of these valuable metals, and the state of the economy has driven up the price of metals generally, leading to price spikes and rising demand for used catalytic converters that can be disassembled to extract these precious metals.
The average catalytic converter includes three to seven grams of platinum, two to seven kilos of palladium, and one to two grams of rhodium, according to Waste Advantage Magazine. In June 2022, platinum will cost about $30 per gram, palladium will cost about $60 per gram, and rhodium will cost about $440 per gram. By taking those costs into consideration, we can determine that the typical catalytic converter can contain platinum worth up to $90, palladium worth up to $420, and rhodium worth up to $880. As a result, depending on the type, the average catalytic converter has a precious metal value that can range from the low hundreds to more than $1,500.
Even though a catalytic converter may include precious metals with a four-figure worth, a burglar is unlikely to find pricing like that. They frequently sell to a recycler, who then sells them to a place where the metals may be extracted. Given that they can make over $500 for some models with only a few minutes of work, thieves are likely to see less than half of that, but the job is still valuable. Because of the known contents and concentrations of precious metals in specific catalytic converters, some models are frequently targeted more frequently.
It’s not by chance that the Toyota Prius from the middle of the 2000s is frequently mentioned as a target in these thefts. The GD3 model catalytic converter, one of the most precious metal-packed converters, is found in them. At the time of writing, Ecotrade Group lists that model as a bestseller with a current market price of more than $600. The same recycling company reports that catalytic converters from the Chevy Trailblazer, which uses one that can sell for almost $400, contain equal amounts of these precious metals. Taller vehicles like the Trailblazer are frequently more vulnerable to this type of theft simply due to practicality; a thief can simply slide beneath with a battery-powered saw to chop off the exposed catalytic converter without having to jack them up. However, not all catalytic converters are created equal, as we can see from the costs for similar-era Chevrolet and Toyota catalytic converters that are much below $100. These prices are most likely based on the known amounts of precious metals for that particular model numbers.
States are attempting to stop these thefts by passing legislation that will increase the penalties for those who are discovered in possession of stolen catalytic converters and enact regulations on how they can be sold, but it’s an uphill struggle that is closely tied to those precious metal prices, and as long as they remain high, many are likely to take the risk of attempting to obtain these valuable catalytic converters.
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How much does a Toyota catalytic converter cost?
Depending on the car, you may require one or two brand-new Toyota catalytic converters, which cost roughly $2000.
At best, you can receive $1,000 for a Toyota cat converter, with Land Cruiser and Prius converters being the most desirable. Their scrap price is extremely high, but it’s still less than half of the original.
How much does a Ford catalytic converter cost?
Ford converters come in a range of prices but are often more affordable than other domestic models. Some catalytic converters from the late 1990s were laden with valuable metals and were worth more than $1000 as junk.
The majority of recent models, however, only have a few hundred dollars’ worth of scrap value whereas OEM prices range from $700 to $1,200.
How much does a GM catalytic converter cost?
Catalytic converters for General Motors are pricey, costing about $1,000 when new. They have a poor scrap value that ranges from $150 to $250.
- The cost of a GM AC/BL thin pipe catalytic converter is about $160.
- The cost of a GM AC/BL thick pipe catalytic converter is about $310.
- The cost of a GM medium 4Dot catalytic converter is approximately $216.
How much does a Jeep catalytic converter cost?
Catalytic converters cost between $1,300 and $1,400 from Jeep, and labor costs an additional $130 to $200. You shouldn’t expect to get more than $250300 for a Jeep catalytic converter if you want to sell it for scrap.
What catalytic converters bring the highest scrap price?
Because they typically include the most precious metals and are sought-after even as used parts, exotic cars command the greatest price.
Toyota Land Cruiser and Prius are the best-ranked common passenger cars. While Prius is a unique breed with two converters on a small-sized engine and can fetch a good price when sold all at once, Land Cruiser has enormous cat converters.
What is the best app to price catalytic converters?
Although RR Cats and Belanger Converter Recycling are two of the most well-liked apps, you may use any scrap yard company’s specialized app to request an estimate.
Try other companies and see who will give you the best pricing and delivery terms. To free up space and stop irritating notifications after the sale is over, just remove the apps.
How much is a catalytic converter worth on the black market?
Although a sizable portion of catalytic converters sold as junk are really stolen, technically there is no black market for them.
The challenge is establishing that a converter was taken, which is not the scrapyard’s fault. Any scrap yard will give you a reasonable offer if you want to trade in a converter that you obtained legally.
How much can I sell my catalytic converter for?
The sort of converter and where it came from determine the solution completely. While major domestic and foreign converters can bring in several hundred, if not thousands of dollars, an aftermarket converter is virtually nothing.
You can use one of the tables in this page to get a general idea of the price range for your converter, but you’ll need to receive an estimate from a scrapyard to get a precise pricing.
Why are catalytic converters for Toyotas stolen?
Toyota Prius owners might want to leave their cars in the garage tonight since, according to a new list from Carfax, these hybrid cars are the #1 target for catalytic converter theft in the West.
This week, the vehicle history company published a list of the top cars in the nation that are prime candidates for their catalytic converters. Ford F-Series pickup trucks from 1985 to 2021 and Honda Accords from 1989 to 2020 are at the top of the list nationwide, but the Toyota Prius, which was ranked No. 10 nationally as a target, is No. 1 in the West.
In order to create its lists, Carfax examined service records for new catalytic converter installations from more than 60,000 repair facilities nationwide between 2019 and the first three months of 2022.
The top vehicles in the West that catalytic converter thieves target are:
- 2001present Toyota Prius
- Ford F-Series from 1985 to 2021
- Honda Accord 19892020
- Ford Econoline 19902022
- 1999-2021 a Chevy Silverado
- Subaru Outback, 200720
- Jeep Patriot, 20072017
- Element Honda 20032011
- Forester Subaru, 1998-2020
- Toyota Tacoma, 19952021
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts increased significantly during the epidemic, rising by more than 325 percent in a single year. Due to the rising value of the precious metals used in catalytic converters, these thefts increased, with thieves earning up to $300 for a typical catalytic converter. Due to the higher amount of precious metals used in hybrid vehicles, a catalytic converter stolen from one can fetch up to $1,400.
While waiting for their vehicles to be repaired, owners may have to spend between $1,000 and $3,000 out of pocket.
Vehicle owners should aim to park in well-lit places and be mindful of their surroundings if parking in a garage is not an option. Owners of vehicles might also think about installing an anti-theft device or having their converters laser-etched with the VIN.
Which automobiles have catalytic converters worth the most money?
The Ferrari F430 reportedly had the most costly catalytic converter, with a whopping $3,770.00 price tag, according to data from 2020. In addition, the F430 required two of these, costing $7,540 before labor for a complete replacement.
Despite the fact that the converter for the Lamborghini Aventador is officially the third most expensive, at $3,120, we’re ranking it second since, like the F430, it needs two converters. The total cost of replacement now stands at $6,240. If you can buy a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, you can probably afford a catalytic converter at any price, it practically goes without saying.
Although it is not as unique as a Lamborghini or a Ferrari, the car with the second (or third) most expensive catalytic converter has a highly well-regarded vehicle line. The Ram 2500, which costs $3,460 for a catalytic converter, has that distinction.
The Ford F-250, which is the fourth most costly car, will cost drivers $2,804, which is a big discount from the top three. The Ford Mustang rounds out the top five with a comparatively low price tag of $1,500. Depending on the type and model of the car, the average catalytic converter costs between $800 and $1,200. In general, the converter costs more the bigger the engine.
Remember that only the cost of the converter unit is included in these costs. If you have a damaged converter, additional exhaust components and labor costs may increase the overall cost of repair.
How much is a catalytic converter for a 1998 Toyota Corolla worth?
Catalytic converter replacement for a Toyota Corolla typically costs between $1,780 and $1,808. Between $63 and $80 is the expected labor cost, and between $1,717 and $1,729 is the projected cost of the parts.
Which vehicle has the most stolen catalytic converters?
Despite the fact that thefts of catalytic converters are frequently crimes of opportunity, many criminals target particular vehicles because of the cost of the catalytic converter, the prevalence of the vehicles, and the ease with which the catalytic converter may be accessed.
CARFAX discovered that the following automobiles are the most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft by consulting their partner repair facilities:
These are merely the models, though, whose catalytic converters are stolen most frequently. Depending on a few additional conditions, your car may also be vulnerable to catalytic converter theft. Here is an example of the car kinds that are even more vulnerable to catalytic converter theft:
Luxury vehicles
With a staggering price tag of $3,770 per unit, the Ferrari F430 wins the Most Valuable Catalytic Converter Award. Given that the F430 has two converters, they make for a sizable target for thieves.
Catalytic converters for Lamborghinis are likewise exceedingly expensive, costing on average $3,000 each.
Hybrid vehicles
The catalytic converter of a car tends to be more valued the more emission-friendly the vehicle is. The entire cost of these automobiles rises because they require more of the pricey metal palladium.
Older vehicles
Catalytic converters in larger, older automobiles are more valuable than those in newer, more efficient vehicles because to their concentration of valuable metals and general lack of environmental friendliness.
SUVs and trucks
Two factors influence the targeting of larger vehicles and SUVs. First off, a bigger engine translates into a more expensive catalytic converter. For instance, at a startling $2,000, the catalytic converters on the Dodge Ram 2500 are almost as valuable as those on Ferraris.
Second, their height from the ground makes it simpler for thieves to steal their converters.
Other models with valuable catalytic converters
Of course, there are vehicles that don’t fit into any one category but feature catalytic converters that are more useful for a variety of reasons.