Nissan Altima Catalytic Converter Scrap Price – Used Cat Business

Can you make a good profit selling catalytic converter scrap? Catalytic converters are becoming one of the most demanded recyclable car parts. What's more, the scrap value of catalytic converters seems like a guarded secret. Sad to say, a few buyers are ready to pay a good price for a used catalytic converter.

It's no surprise why buyers and sellers undervalue catalytic converter scraps. So, how can you fetch a good payout if you intend to sell a Nissan Altima catalytic converter scrap? We'll explore the used catalytic converter business and the scrap value of the Nissan Altima catalytic converter.

What Is a Catalytic Converter?

A catalytic converter oxidizes or reduces harmful exhaust gases into less toxic components. You can find the catalytic converter under your car. It is found between the muffler and the exhaust manifold. 

The location will depend on the engine size and the model of your Nissan Altima. Don't confuse it with the muffler since it looks like a muffler. It is an essential part of your car and the most prone to car parts theft. In fact, there is an upsurge in catalytic converter thefts. Nissan either screws or bolts its catalytic converters. 

What Is the Scrap Value of a Nissan Altima Catalytic Converter?

You can convert your catalytic converter into more cash by selling it to scrap dealers or scrap processors. The price may range between $50 and $500. The scrap value of a Nissan Altima catalytic converter ranges between $90 and $300. But these prices fluctuate depending on the demand and the price of precious metals.

What Makes Scrap Catalytic Converters So Valuable?

Catalytic converters have a significant economic value. Used catalytic converters contain relics of precious metals. They accommodate palladium, platinum, and rhodium. 

Platinum and palladium oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into water and carbon dioxide. Rhodium breaks down nitrogen oxides into oxygen and nitrogen. 

A standard catalytic converter may have 3 to 7 grams of platinum, 1 to 2 grams of rhodium, and 2 to 7 grams of palladium. These metals are more valuable than gold. The economic value of these metals almost never depreciates. In fact, platinum is more coveted than gold. Like gold, it is resistant to corrosion, malleable, and ductile. But it is stronger than gold. 

There is a high demand for platinum because of its catalytic properties. Unfortunately, platinum is quite rare. If you seek to get hold of this metal, look towards your catalytic converter. Currently, a gram of platinum goes for $33 while a gram of rhodium goes for $596. Lastly, a gram of palladium goes for $73. They are valuable and desired by precious metal dealers. Besides, it's less expensive to get the precious metals from recycling than from mining them. 

Air, water, or acids do not affect these metals. Thus, you can recover high-quality platinum, rhodium, and palladium from a catalytic converter. The purity levels can go up to 99.5%. It doesn't matter if you recover 70% or 100% of the precious metals. You will get a good amount of profit from your catalytic converter. 

Navigating The Used Catalytic Converters Business 

The used cat business is immense due to the demand for precious metals. The business feeds more than 50% of the demand for platinum. Like any other recycling business, most buyers are middlemen. The business is not as transparent and honest as other recycling businesses. Everyone engaged in the business wants to cash out. Unsuspecting catalytic converter scrap owners often undersell their catalytic converters due to lack of experience.

The extraction of precious metals requires a set of skills and technology-intensive refinery processes. If done using transparent channels, you’ll get a sizeable profit. Don't sell the catalytic converter to a middleman further down the recycling chain. You will end up with a low payout.

The closer you are to the catalytic converter refinery or processor, the better the pay. Your local junkyard is not a refinery or processor point, they count as middlemen. They don't have the skills to grade precious metals. They also lack the resources to reclaim precious metals. You need machines to analyze the level and value of the metals present in the converter. 

Is It Profitable to Start a Used Cat Business?

Yes, it is. There is a high demand for platinum, rhodium, and palladium. You can still join the business as a middleman. In case you join the business as a middleman, you will buy and resell the catalytic converters to refiners or processors. Although it may seem easy, you need to be knowledgeable of all the ins and outs of the recycling business. You will have to create working relationships with processors and refiners. To process the recycled catalytic converters, you need to invest in the skills and appropriate tools. You'll also need a physical location to conduct your business.

How Do Catalytic Converter Recyclers Determine the Scrap Value of Your Catalytic Converter?

Companies refer to different databases as a guideline. Companies input the type, serial number, and size of the catalytic converter on the database. These companies will then pay a premium or a price below the databases' price.

Generally, the prices of precious metals dictate the value of your catalytic converter. The market prices for precious metals keep on changing each day. If you think the price offered is low, you can always track the prices of the metals and opt for a day when the prices shoot. Check the commodity section to track the metals' prices. 

How do recyclers price catalytic converter scraps?

Pricing a catalytic converter is quite challenging. The process begins by determining the presence of precious metals. Recyclers use serial numbers to determine the presence of precious metals. Most OEM catalytic converters have serial numbers on them. Buyers verify the originality of your catalytic converter using the serial number. The serial number can also verify the genuineness of your catalytic converter. 

Next, the recyclers have to check the honeycomb. Make sure your catalytic converter has an intact honeycomb. The honeycomb is a mesh-like structure inside the catalytic converter. It cleans the exhaust gases. The honeycomb does this with the help of precious metals. A missing honeycomb means a minimal payout. Don't let anyone detach the honeycomb from the shell. It may interfere with the structural integrity and devalue your catalytic converter. Besides, catalytic converters look the same. But they may contain different amount of precious metals.

Prepping Your Catalytic Converter for Scrap 

Identify your catalytic converter 

It's crucial to know the value of your catalytic converter before scrapping it. You should know whether your catalytic converter is an aftermarket or an OEM catalytic converter. OEM catalytic converters usually have the company's logo and a serial number. 

Most manufacturers put the serial numbers on the edge of the main cat. Others imprint it at the end of the pre-cat. 

Nissan catalytic converters have a serial number and ‘Nissan’ on the main cat. So, your Nissan Altima catalytic converter should have a Nissan name and a serial number below the 'Nissan' name. Nissan catalytic converter serial numbers contain both numeric and letter sequences. Aftermarket serial numbers often begin with an N. 

The appearance of your catalytic converter also shows if it is an OEM or aftermarket. An aftermarket catalytic converter sometimes has a shiny/silver shield. 

Search for the current market price of Nissan Altima catalytic converters

Currently, the average value of Nissan Altima catalytic converters scrap is about $150. This scrap value changes depending on the scrap market rates. Go to eBay to get the latest scrap value for Nissan Altima catalytic converters. To get the final price, check the completed section to get a list of completed sales.

Detach the converter from the exhaust pipes 

This will give the scrap buyer a better view of what they are dealing with. 

Take your catalytic converter to the nearby scrap yards

You need to have multiple selling points. Find out how much they are prepared to pay for the catalytic converter. Compare the prices with prices offered online. 

Online buyers 

Take clear photos of your catalytic converter if you prefer to sell it online. Good pictures will get you a good payout. You can also create physical or online bids. They increase the chances of selling the catalytic converter at a higher price.

Final Thoughts on Nissan Altima Catalytic Converter Scrap Value 

Don't undersell your catalytic converter. Invest your energy and time in finding a reputable and reliable buyer. Opt for a buyer with the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools. Be cautious of anyone who seems to have limited knowledge in the business.