The most valuable part of a junk car is the catalytic converter. It contains platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which are precious metals worth more per ounce than gold.
Why are catalytic converters so valuable:
- They contain 3 to 7 grams of precious metals
- Platinum trades at $900 to $1,100 per ounce
- Palladium trades at $900 to $1,500 per ounce
- Rhodium can exceed $4,000 per ounce
Values varied by vehicle:
- Small cars: $50 to $150
- Mid-size sedans: $100 to $250
- Trucks and SUVs: $200 to $500
- Hybrids: $300 to $800+
- Luxury and performance cars: $300 to $600+
These numbers explain why catalytic converter theft has increased. Thieves can remove one in minutes and sell it for hundreds of dollars. That's why vehicles that still have their catalytic converters are worth more.
Learn whether selling your catalytic converter separately makes sense for your situation.
