Yes. Junk car buyers purchase vehicles with missing catalytic converters. However, expect significantly lower offers. The converter is often the most valuable single component on a junk car, worth $100 to $500 or more. Without it, your offer drops by that amount.
Impact of missing catalytic converter:
- Reduces offers by $100 to $500+ depending on vehicle
- Truck and SUV converters are worth more (bigger reduction)
- Hybrid converters are worth the most (largest reduction)
- Small car converters have less impact on total value
Common reasons converters are missing:
- Theft (increasingly common nationwide)
- Owner sold it separately
- Previous repair replaced with aftermarket part
- Failed and was removed but never replaced
If your converter was stolen, file a police report. While it won’t recover the converter, documentation helps with insurance claims and establishes you didn’t sell it illegally.
The remaining vehicle still has value. The engine, transmission, body parts, and scrap metal don’t depend on the catalytic converter. Your car is worth less without it, but not worthless.
Be honest about the missing converter when requesting quotes. Junk car buyers will discover it immediately at pickup. Disclosing upfront gets you an accurate quote that won’t change when the driver arrives.
To understand how much value you’re losing, see what catalytic converters are worth by vehicle type.
