Audi Catalytic Converter Scrap Value – Are German Cats Expensive?

Audi cars are very popular all over the world and mainly in the US. American buyers love them for being powerful and fun-to-drive vehicles with generally reliable and high-performance technologies. Audi is a premium brand of Volkswagen Group and it uses only the best engineering achievements this huge company has in its hands.

Today, we'll be talking about scrap catalytic converters in Audi vehicles. These cats can be sold and we are going to discuss the optimal price for selling them. Also, we'll tell you about some important factors you should consider if you have one of the Audi cat converters for sale. It's not that easy to find a good deal, but you'll certainly be able to do it.

Here's what we are going to discuss:

1. Audi cat converters: shape, size, quality, and location.
2. What's the scrap price of an Audi catalytic converter?
3. What's the best way to sell an Audi cat converter at a good price?
4. Are Audi cars prone to catalytic converter theft?

Let's get started!

What are Audi catalytic converters like?

In most cases, Audi cars have a system consisting of a couple of catalytic converters. This system is located in the exhaust pipe and can have different types of assemblies. Pre-cats and cats are combined into one system that drives exhaust gases all the way from the exhaust manifold to the muffler.

These cats are engineered by Volkswagen and also by other European companies assisting VW in making great cars. And these cat converters are pretty efficient in terms of ecology. One main cat from Audi can live longer than the same-sized cat from a Chevy or Ford, for example.

Here are some features of the Audi catalytic converter:

• they are in most cases barrel-like, but sometimes these cats can also be bread-loaf converters or have other shapes;
• the converters may not seem very big, but they usually have two separate ceramic honeycombs inside;
• these ceramic honeycombs include a little of precious metals - rhodium, palladium, and platinum - and this is why they can be sold as scrap parts;
• catalytic converters from Audi cars are pretty good in terms of longevity because they are protected from rust and physical damage;
• these cats are made of thick metal that is hard to destroy even with stones on the road and other impact types;
• the OEM converters from Audi usually have serial numbers, but sometimes it will be a challenge to find them;
• only original German converters are actually valuable, no aftermarket cats will be sold at a decent price.

If you are going to sell an Audi catalytic converter that you have taken off your vehicle, the main thing is to make sure you have the original converter, not an aftermarket one. OEM cats contain those metals in optimal quantities and they are relatively easy to recycle. While aftermarket cats are risky to buy for recycling companies.

Usually, pre-cats in Audi cats are placed near the exhaust manifold while the main cats are located near the muffler. The vehicles with L4 engines offer two converters one of which is the main cat. While V6 engines usually have three cats with two pre-cats near each head and one main cat. Pre-cats are cheaper but they also can be sold to recycling companies.

What's the average price for Audi catalytic converters?

German cat converters are not very expensive - they have average prices and that's not bad for the owner of an Audi vehicle. The average price of an Audi catalytic converter will be about $150 or more. The biggest converters from big-displacement engines are going to be sold for $300 and more.

While some pre-cats will only be sold for $60 because they are small and don't contain a lot of precious metals.

Also, DPF units from diesel engines in Audi cars can be sold. They are a little cheaper than cat converters from petrol cats. And they aren't often encountered in the US. But still, you should know about this if you have this type of vehicle in your possession.

Here are some factors that can change the price of a cat converter from Audi:

• prices for precious metals - this is one of the key factors that play an important role in understanding the current scrap price of Audi converters;
• the type and size of cats you have - sometimes these cats are just small and don't contain a lot of precious materials, this is easy to estimate if you know the serial number;
• also, the catalytic converter's condition plays an important part in estimating the price - old and rusty cats with holes in their bodies are likely to cost zero dollars;
• the overall situation on the market of used cats and recycling - some additional taxes may mean that recycling companies will limit their price offers, for example;
• the way and the place you are selling your catalytic converter from an Audi vehicle - this is also an important factor that you can totally control.

So, the last factor is the one you should pay attention to. Audi cars have valuable cats that you can easily sell to dozens of companies all around America. But which one should you choose? This will decide the price offer that you'll get.

We know for sure that a lot of Americans just sell their Audi catalytic converters for $50 or $70 while they actually cost t least twice more. And it won't take a lot of your time to just find a better buyer. All other price factors are really hard to control and predict, so just suppose you'll be lucky enough to sell your cat when the prices for platinum and palladium are on the rise.

Who should you sell your Audi catalytic converter to?

This is a question we can't answer very fast. There are plenty of companies out there who would want to buy the catalytic converter that you have taken from your Audi. But the majority of those companies don't recycle cats, they just resell them. Did you think that scrapyards recycle something? They just find buyers for their scrap materials and that's all.

So, scrapyards, exhaust shops, auto part stores, mechanics, middlemen, small local companies, and eBay are usually bad places to sell your catalytic converter. You should choose another way that will not see any middlemen who just want to earn money using your converter.

Here's how you can sell your Audi converter directly to one of the recycling companies:

• take pictures of the cat in order to quote;
• find a couple of websites of recycling companies (the more, the better);
• quote online using pictures you've taken;
• get to know the price offers;
• choose the company willing to give you more money for the cat.

That's all you need to remember. The procedure is so easy that your next cat converter will be sold immediately using this wonderful way.

The most important thing is that by using this way of selling your Audi catalytic converter, you actually sell it to a company that recycles it, so it's the final link in the chain. Basically, no one else can offer you more money.

What's interesting, too, is that you even check the prices in different recycling companies. Doing this, you assure that you get the best possible price offer and no one can offer you more money for the cat.

Any risks of cat converter theft in your Audi?

Audi cars are not known for their enormous riding height. Even SUVs like Q5 or Q7 aren't very high. This means a thief will need to jack up a vehicle before trying to cut off the converter. This is a challenging task, especially if you park your vehicle in a crowded street or in a parking lot with at least some security.

So, no, Audi cars are not the most obvious victims of catalytic converter thieves. But you can never say for sure that your car will not suffer from this widespread issue. If you are reading this to consider whether you need to steal a cat converter from a car that is standing on your street, then you should know that thieves get extremely low payments for cats.

A stolen cat is hard to sell even for $20 because everyone understands where you took it from. Recycling companies will need some proof that the car belongs to you or at least to your company before they pay you the full price for the cat.

Final words

Audi catalytic converters are not the most expensive cats in the world. They have just average scrap prices. But this means you can make up to $300 by selling one of the big main cats from a big-displacement Audi car. Why should you lose this chance?

Replacing an Audi catalytic converter will cost you a fortune even if you buy aftermarket parts for this. Don't lose the opportunity to compensate at least some money for this expensive replacement. Just sell your cat converter to any person or company offering you the best possible price.