Catalytic Converter Scrap Price
Current CAT Prices in the United States
These prices represent reference CAT market rates based on recent transactions and market conditions. Depending on various market factors, actual quotes from buyers may vary. To get best price for your catalytic converter scrap, always obtain binding quotes from local recyclers before selling your items. Reference this data as market context, not guaranteed pricing. Consider condition, quantity, and timing in your negotiations. Contact multiple buyers for competitive offers.
Precious Metals Market Prices
Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium, collectively known as the platinum-group metals, or PGMs. The spot market value of these metals directly drives how much recyclers are willing to pay for scrap converters. PGM prices fluctuate daily, always check real-time price live sources like Kitco, Bloomberg, or Investing for real-time data.
About Our Pricing Data
ScrapMonster's catalytic converter pricing data represents the most comprehensive and transparent market intelligence available to the North American recycling industry. Since our founding in 2009, we have maintained the industry's most trusted real-time pricing database through direct integration with major scrap dealers, recyclers, and marketplace contributors across North America.
Data Collection Methodology
Our pricing intelligence is compiled from three primary sources:
- Direct Marketplace Transactions: Real transaction data from our platform's 111,900+ active members and industry partners
- Institutional Contributors: Anonymous data feeds from major corporations and established dealers who share pricing information
- Analyst Verification: Our team of commodity analysts validates all data points against market conditions and historical patterns
Update Frequency & Coverage
Catalytic converter prices are updated on a rolling weekly basis as market data becomes available from our contributor network. This frequency reflects the typical transaction cycles in the catalytic converter market, where pricing adjusts based on precious metals volatility, supply conditions, and bulk purchasing patterns.
Historical Context
Our pricing database extends back over 15 years, providing historical context for current market conditions. This longitudinal data allows industry professionals to understand seasonal patterns, market cycles, and long-term precious metals trends that directly impact converter values.
Transparency Commitment
Unlike proprietary pricing services, ScrapMonster publishes all pricing data publicly. We believe transparent, accessible market intelligence strengthens the entire recycling industry and enables fair market competition.
Why Catalytic Converter Prices Vary
Catalytic converter scrap values are not static commodities—they fluctuate based on multiple interconnected factors. Understanding these variables is essential for accurate market assessment.
1. Precious Metals Content
The primary price driver is precious metals composition: palladium, platinum, and rhodium. Converters from different manufacturers and model years contain significantly different PGM ratios. A platinum-heavy converter may command 40-60% premium over a palladium-dominant unit.
2. Condition & Integrity
Physical condition directly impacts processing costs and recovery rates. Converters with intact ceramic coatings, minimal damage, and proper mounting hardware achieve higher prices. Damaged coatings reduce recoverable precious metals yield, lowering scrap value accordingly.
3. Market Supply & Demand
Precious metals markets fluctuate hourly. Palladium prices shifted 35% in 2024 alone. These commodity price movements directly cascade to converter scrap values within days.
4. Geographic Location
Transportation costs and regional processing capacity variations create geographic price differences. Rural areas may see 5-15% discounts versus urban markets with robust recycling infrastructure.
5. Batch Size & Volume
Bulk pricing differs from individual unit quotes. Industry standard is typically 5-20% premium for lots exceeding 100+ units due to processing efficiency.
6. Converter Type & Rarity
OEM factory converters typically command 10-25% premium over aftermarket units. Rare or discontinued models may achieve premium pricing from specialized buyers.
Pricing Update Status
Current Update Cycle
Product Category: Catalytic Converters
Update Frequency: Weekly
Geographic Coverage: North America (USA & Canada)
Contributors Active: 50+ marketplace participants
Data Quality Assurance
All pricing updates undergo validation through our analyst review process before publication. We cross-reference transaction data against historical patterns and commodity market indicators to ensure accuracy and detect anomalies.
How to Use This Data
These prices represent reference market rates based on recent transactions and market conditions. Due to the factors outlined in "Why Prices Vary," actual quotes from buyers may vary. Always:
- Obtain binding quotes from local recyclers before selling
- Reference this data as market context, not guaranteed pricing
- Consider condition, quantity, and timing in your negotiations
- Contact multiple buyers for competitive offers
Data Updates by Product
| Product Category | Update Frequency | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|
| Catalytic Converters | Weekly | February 5th, 2026, 12 AM |
| Automotive Components | Bi-weekly (1-2 weeks) | February 5th, 2026, 12 AM |
| Precious Metals (General) | Daily | February 8th, 2026, 12 AM |
Sources & Methodology
About ScrapMonster
Founded in 2009, ScrapMonster operates the largest transparent marketplace for secondary metal trading in North America. Our platform connects 111,900+ active members including recyclers, dealers, brokers, and processors. This community-driven approach enables us to aggregate real-world pricing data at scale.
Primary Data Sources
1. Marketplace Transactions
Direct pricing data from actual buy/sell transactions on the ScrapMonster platform. This represents current market-clearing prices where buyers and sellers negotiate real deals.
2. Institutional Data Partners
Anonymous pricing feeds from major recycling corporations and established dealers. These partners contribute to our database to maintain market transparency and support industry standardization.
3. Analyst Team Verification
Our commodity analysts review all data points for consistency, identify outliers, and validate pricing against broader market conditions. This human oversight prevents data anomalies from skewing results.
Quality Standards
- Transparency: All data is anonymized and published publicly. We maintain no proprietary data restrictions
- Timeliness: Updates reflect recent market activity within established timeframes per product category
- Accountability: Our analyst team maintains detailed audit trails and methodology documentation
- Consistency: Pricing calculations follow standardized formulas to ensure comparability across time periods
Disclaimer & Important Notices
These prices are reference market indicators only. They do not represent guaranteed quotes or binding offers. Actual prices paid by scrap buyers vary based on:
- Specific converter condition and materials composition
- Quantity of material being recycled
- Current precious metals market prices
- Buyer's processing capabilities and costs
- Geographic location and transportation factors
- Timing of the transaction
Always obtain binding quotes from local buyers before concluding any sale. Market conditions can shift rapidly, and this data is intended to inform, not determine, your recycling decisions.
More Information
For questions about our methodology, data sources, or specific pricing questions:
- Visit our About ScrapMonster page
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel for market analysis updates
- Contact our analyst team through our Contact page
Check out the latest automotive component scrap prices
Catalytic Converter Price Guides & Market Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Accurately identify each converter using this guide
- Clean and photograph all units with serial numbers visible
- Sort by category and weigh each lot
- Get quotes from multiple buyers
- Time sales when precious metal prices spike (rhodium >$10,000/oz)
- Negotiate using competing quotes
- Build long-term relationships with top buyers for preferred pricing
Why Trust ScrapMonster
111,900+ Active Members
Our platform connects the largest network of recyclers, dealers, and processors in North America, ensuring diverse, representative pricing data.
16+ Years of Data
Since 2009, we've maintained continuous pricing records, providing historical context and market trend analysis unavailable elsewhere.
Transparent Methodology
Unlike proprietary pricing services, we publish all data publicly with complete methodology documentation and source attribution.
Industry Leadership
Featured regularly in industry publications and referenced by major recyclers as the standard for market data transparency.
Learn more about ScrapMonster: