KIA Optima Catalytic Converter Scrap Price - How Can You Sell It?

If you own a KIA Optima, you may wonder how much the catalytic converter cost after it malfunctions. People tend to sell them to scrapyards and get only a little money while they actually can get much more just by researching any other options of selling these cats. Are you interested?

Today, we'll tell you the average scrap price of the KIA Optima catalytic converter and we'll also offer you some ways to sell this cat at a decent price. Please remember that things change every single day. So, we will not only give you the actual price of the Optima cats, but we'll also show you the way you can check this price anytime.

Here's what we are going to discuss here:

1. What types of cat converters are used in your KIA Optima?
2. How much should an old Optima catalytic converter cost?
3. What are your options for selling the cat converter from KIA?
4. Replacement cat cost and some other expenses you should consider.

Let's get started!

What cat converters are installed in your KIA Optima?

KIA Optima has been in the American market since 2000. Today, it's still here but it's called KIA K5. This is the same car, but the generation is fresher. We are talking about older vehicles of the first, second, and third generations mainly because new K5 models are all running with their OEM converters and don't need any changes.

But older cars may surprise you with a cat converter problem somewhere near 150,000 miles on the odometer. Maybe even sooner. The converter may get clogged or destroyed for no obvious reasons - just because it's old.

So, here's what you'll need to know about the Optima catalytic converters:

• there are usually two or three cat converters depending on the type of engine - pre-cats are located near the exhaust manifolds and main cats - near the muffler;
• pre-cats are smaller and obviously less valuable and that's why people tend to leave them in exhaust shops after repair, but it's a mistake, you should also sell them;
• main cats are integrated into the exhaust pipe and need some cutting and welding work to get replaced;
• the car was equipped with many L4 and V6 engines - the latter ones offered three-cat systems with two pre-cats and one main cat;
• these catalytic converters are pretty durable and can last longer than the engine lasts, but unfortunately, they can malfunction at any point;
• all main converters from KIA Optima models are more or less valuable, they all contain platinum, palladium, and also a little rhodium.

The quality of KIA Catalytic converters is not bad. The metal sheet that protects the inner ceramic part is quite thick and doesn't rust over time. Well, it gets some rust, but you can easily clean it off after you take off the converter.

Also, these cats have serial numbers on their bodies. And this is one of the ways to distinguish between OEM and aftermarket cat converters. If the part is OEM, it will cost some money. If it's an aftermarket converter, you should just sell it to a local scrapyard for $20 or something like that. Further reading will not offer you any better chances unless the cat you have in your hands is KIA OEM.

What should be the price of the scrap cat from your Optima?

The best price you can get will depend on many factors, but we can talk about average prices as of August 2022. Now, you can sell your Optima main catalytic converter at about $190 while a pre-cat may be sold for $60-$80 depending on its year and model.

Not bad, you may think. But first, you should understand that the prices aren't guaranteed. Here are some factors that can sharply change the price of your catalytic converter:

• market prices for precious metals - this is one of the key factors that is always considered by buyers when they say the price;
• the condition of the converter - any heavy damage will be the reason for a lower price, a converter with a hole in it will cost nothing;
• the year and the model of the vehicle and its engine, different engines can have various types of catalytic converters that are identified by their serial numbers or vehicles' VIN numbers;
• the way you are selling the converter - in one case this will be a quick and cheap sale in a scrapyard, but it can also be a more expensive sale to one of the recycling companies.

It doesn't make much sense to sell your catalytic converter to a scrapyard in your area. Those companies are usually half-legal and they often cooperate with catalytic converter thieves. This means they will offer half of the real price of the cat to then resell it and earn some money.

You'll be surprised to know that scrapyards never recycle catalytic converters. Recycling a cat is a very hard task that requires a lot of expensive equipment and expertise. So, only recycling companies will do that.

Where will you find the best prices for KIA Optima cat converters?

If you were reading attentively up to this point, you could have noticed that among the factors influencing the price of your scrap converter there is only one you can control. And this is a person or a company you are selling your catalytic converter to. You will be able to choose and this is important.

As you already know, selling a cat converter to a scrapyard is not a good idea. The same works for different resellers, middlemen, exhaust shops, auto part stores, etc. They want to earn money using your catalytic converter and they won't offer a good price.

Here's how you can get to know actual prices for the Optima car and also find a good way to sell it:

• take off the converter from your car - better have it done by a specialist to get it without any damage;
• take pictures of the converter - it's not hard, just take five pics showing all sides of the cat, also take a picture of the serial number;
• then, just go online and research for some recycling companies that buy catalytic converters - they may locate in your state or in any other part of the US;
• use those websites to quote - send the pictures showing your catalytic converter to those companies;
• in a short time, they will send the price offers back to you and you'll be able to see the actual prices;
• don't forget to check if the company is ready to pay for shipping, sometimes it's really important.

So, this is the way to learn the current prices for cats from your KIA Optima. You'll also be able to choose the best possible option that will allow you to get more money for the cat. Even if you are not going to sell your cat immediately, learning about its price this way will be the most precise and easiest option.

You may also sell your catalytic converter from the KIA Optima through eBay. But in this case, you should have a working cat converter that is still able to pass the fog test. Otherwise, no private buyer will be interested in buying one.

Should you get a replacement catalytic converter?

Now, you may have thought that you have a spare part in your KIA Optima that you may just cut off and sell when it's clogged. But unfortunately, driving without a catalytic converter is illegal in all states. Actually, the only way federals can find out you don't have a converter is during the fog test. But if they notice you have cut it off, the fine will be right there.

So, no, you can't just cut off the converter and keep driving. You can take it off and sell it in two cases:

• when you are going to sell the car for scrap;
• when you want to replace the converter with another one.

To buy a replacement catalytic converter, you also have a couple of options. You can choose between new OEM, new aftermarket, and also used cat converters. Used ones are not recommended because they are likely to be clogged or about to die.

A new OEM converter for your Optima will cost well over $1,000 which is too much for a car like this. So, the only reasonable option is to buy a new aftermarket cat. But choose wisely because the majority of these converters aren't really good.

Final words

If you have a scrap catalytic converter from your KIA Optima, the best way to get some money from it is to sell it to a recycling company. Your converter has some precious metals inside it and the company will recycle all the materials and sell them to industrial companies.

Unfortunately, a lot of Optima owners don't know about this option and just lose their money selling their converters to scrapyards. Please follow the simple instruction we've posted above and get more money for the converter from your KIA.