If you own a Chevrolet Malibu, you should know that it's equipped with catalytic converters to reduce the harmful emissions it produces when driving. These cats contain platinum, palladium, and even some rhodium. It means after the converter is clogged or starts malfunctioning, you can sell it as scrap and get some money.
Today, we'll have a quick look at how much you can get if you just sell a used catalytic converter from your Chevrolet Malibu.
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ATTENTION: If you are planning to steal someone's cat converter from a Malibu, you will not be able to get the stated sum of money - you will need to prove to the buyer that the converter belongs to you and you will get money on your bank account. So, you'll be tracked easily. Never think of converter theft because this will lead to a criminal sentence!
Here's how much a Chevy Malibu converter costs
First of all, we should say that not all Malibu converters are valuable. You will get some decent money for OEM converters only. But how can you know they are OEM? Such a cat will have a serial number and also a Chevy logo on its body. Just clean it from rust and debris to find those. Check if the serial number corresponds with Chevy OEM converters.
Main catalytic converters from your Chevrolet Malibu will cost about $220 while pre-cats located close to the exhaust manifold will only cost about $60.
These are prices for OEM parts. If you or somebody else have already replaced cat converters in your Malibu and installed an aftermarket cat, you will be able to sell it for $30 approximately.
Scrap prices for catalytic converters can change every day of the week. They depend on precious metal prices, the condition of your cat, its year and model, etc. Also, the prices will depend on who you sell your catalytic converter to.
Who you can sell your Chevy Malibu cat converter to?
You may have heard other Malibu owners talking about scrapyards. This is the first place that comes into your mind when you think about selling a scrap part from your vehicle. But do they give good money for cats? No, they don't.
You may choose one of these three ways to sell your old cat converter from the Malibu:
First: eBay. Yes, you can sell a Chevy Malibu old cat on eBay, but it should still be working well and be able to pass the fog test.
Second: middlemen. These guys will even come to you to fetch the old cat converter. They offer better prices than scrapyards do. This is a convenient method of selling a cat, but still, it's not very efficient.
Third: recycling companies. Your Malibu converter may just go to one of the recycling companies. They offer the best prices for any broken or clogged cat converters.
To sell your cat to a recycling company, just go online, find some websites of these recyclers and send pictures of your converter to them for price estimation. They will answer back with their price offers and you'll be able to compare and choose the best one.
What year Malibu has the most expensive cat converters?
The modern history of the Malibu starts in 1997 with the fifth generation of the vehicle. The earlier generations are very hard to find on the roads now. The vehicle has been using a range of L4 and V6 engines. You are likely to find more expensive converters in earlier models with V6 engines.
First of all, they may have pre-cats that can also be sold. Also, these vehicles will have a bigger main catalytic converter that may cost more than the average $220. In the latest generation of the Malibu, Chevy decided to get rid of V6 engines and this changed the type of cats used in the car. Now, catalytic converters in this vehicle are not as expensive as they were before.
How long will the Chevy Malibu converter go?
We should say that the majority of GM OEM cats can go a lot of miles and years because they are made to last.
The average lifespan of the OEM converter from your Malibu is about 150,000 miles. But it still is not enough for the whole lifespan of the vehicle. So, you may need to replace the cat when it's clogged or broken.
Aftermarket cats have an unpredictable lifespan. They can get clogged at 20,000 miles or live as long as OEM cats.
Also, you should know that the Malibu is a comfortable sedan with relatively low ground clearance. You may easily damage the main converter which is located near the muffler when trying to go off the road or just when driving over something hard and high enough to reach the cat.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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