Question 1

How much is a catalytic converter worth at a scrap yard in Canada?

Accepted Answer

An OEM (original factory) catalytic converter is worth $80–$200 CAD at Canadian scrap yards depending on vehicle size. Trucks and full-size SUVs are at the top of that range. Aftermarket replacement cats are worth $20–$50. A missing catalytic converter adds nothing and reduces your overall offer.

Question 2

Why is the catalytic converter so valuable?

Accepted Answer

Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium — precious metals used to process exhaust emissions. These metals trade at thousands of dollars per troy ounce. A single OEM cat from a full-size truck can contain $150–$300 worth of precious metals at current commodity prices.

Question 3

How do I know if my catalytic converter is OEM or aftermarket?

Accepted Answer

Check your vehicle's service history. If you've never had a catalytic converter replaced and the car hasn't been in a major accident, it's almost certainly OEM. You can also look at the cat itself — OEM units typically have manufacturer markings and are welded directly to the exhaust system. Aftermarket units often have visible clamps or different finish quality.

Question 4

Does a stolen catalytic converter hurt my scrap value?

Accepted Answer

Yes — losing the cat reduces your scrap offer by $80–$150. However, the steel weight of the vehicle still drives the majority of scrap value. A full-size truck without a catalytic converter is still worth $350–$700 depending on province and condition.

Question 5

Will a scrap yard tell me how much they're paying for the catalytic converter?

Accepted Answer

Most won't volunteer the breakdown — they quote a total price for the vehicle. If you ask, some will tell you. The more useful approach is to calculate the cat value yourself and include it in your negotiation: "The OEM cat is worth about $150 — I'm pricing that into what I accept."

Question 6

Is it legal to sell a catalytic converter separately in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it's legal to remove and sell your catalytic converter separately before scrapping the rest of the car. Many specialized buyers purchase cats separately and can pay more than a general scrap yard. However, removing it first means the scrap yard will deduct the cat value from their offer for the remaining vehicle.

Question 7

Why do catalytic converter prices vary by province?

Accepted Answer

Precious metal content is fixed regardless of province, but regional supply and demand affects what yards will pay. BC and Ontario tend to have the most competitive markets. Saskatchewan and Manitoba tend to pay slightly less due to fewer buyers and higher transport costs to processors.

Question 8

Which vehicles have the highest catalytic converter scrap value in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Full-size gas-powered pickups consistently have the highest catalytic converter scrap value in Canada. A Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, or Dodge/Ram 1500 or 2500 with an original OEM catalytic converter is worth $150–$210 CAD. Full-size SUVs like the Tahoe and Expedition fall in the same range. Small cars — Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra — are at the lower end at $80–$115. Diesel trucks (Cummins, Powerstroke, Duramax) have diesel oxidation catalysts instead of traditional three-way converters, worth $50–$130 depending on the model.

Question 9

What is a scrap catalytic converter price list by vehicle?

Accepted Answer

A scrap catalytic converter price list by vehicle groups each make and model by converter type and precious metal content. The table on this page provides current Canadian values for the most common vehicles. Quick reference: Honda Civic, Corolla, Mazda 3, Focus fetch $80–$115; Honda Accord, Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion fetch $100–$155; full-size pickups (F-150, Silverado, Ram) are the most valuable at $150–$210. Aftermarket replacement converters are worth only $20–$50 regardless of vehicle type. Values fluctuate with platinum, palladium, and rhodium commodity prices.

Vehicle	Type	Cat value
Small car (Civic, Corolla, Elantra)	Low platinum/palladium content	$80–$120
Midsize car (Camry, Accord, Fusion)	Moderate precious metal content	$100–$150
Full-size car (Charger, Crown Vic)	Higher precious metal content	$120–$175
Compact SUV (CR-V, RAV4, Escape)	Moderate to high content	$110–$160
Full-size pickup (F-150, Silverado, RAM)	High platinum/palladium — most valuable	$150–$200
Full-size SUV (Tahoe, Expedition)	High precious metal content	$150–$200
Aftermarket replacement (any vehicle)	Minimal precious metals	$20–$50
Missing / stolen (any vehicle)	—	$0

Make / Model	Common years	Cat value (CAD)
Honda Civic	2000–2015	$80–$110
Honda Accord	2000–2015	$100–$150
Honda CR-V	2000–2015	$110–$155
Honda Odyssey	2000–2015	$100–$145
Ford F-150 (gas)	1997–2020	$150–$200
Ford Escape	2001–2015	$105–$155
Ford Focus	2000–2015	$80–$115
Ford Fusion	2006–2020	$100–$150
Chevrolet Silverado (gas)	1996–2020	$150–$200
Chevrolet Cruze	2011–2019	$80–$110
Chevrolet Malibu	2004–2020	$100–$145
Dodge / Ram 1500 (gas)	1994–2020	$150–$200
Dodge / Ram 2500 (gas)	1994–2020	$155–$210
Dodge Grand Caravan	2000–2020	$100–$145
Toyota Camry	2000–2020	$100–$155
Toyota Corolla	2000–2020	$80–$115
Toyota RAV4	2000–2020	$110–$160
Toyota Yaris	2006–2020	$70–$100
Mazda 3	2003–2020	$80–$115
Nissan Altima	2002–2020	$100–$150
Hyundai Elantra	2000–2020	$80–$110
Jeep Liberty / Cherokee	2002–2015	$110–$155
Cadillac CTS	2003–2019	$120–$175
Diesel (Cummins, Powerstroke, Duramax)	various	$50–$130
Aftermarket (any vehicle)	any	$20–$50

Province	OEM cat	Aftermarket cat
Ontario	$80–$200	$20–$50
British Columbia	$85–$210	$22–$55
Alberta	$75–$190	$18–$45
Manitoba	$75–$185	$18–$45
Quebec	$80–$195	$20–$50
Saskatchewan	$70–$180	$16–$42
Nova Scotia	$75–$185	$18–$45

Catalytic Converter Scrap Prices in Canada

Quick answer

Why catalytic converters have scrap value

Catalytic converter value by vehicle type

Catalytic converter scrap price list by make and model

Catalytic converter prices by province

How to use your cat converter in negotiation

Frequently asked questions

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