Nissan Xterra Catalytic Converter Scrap Price - Are They Expensive?

If you own a Nissan Xterra, you should be quite proud of your vehicle. This is a truck-based SUV that provides more flexibility and performance than comfort. But it's a great vehicle for certain purposes. The Xterra was first sold in the USA in 2000, so a lot of cars of this model are quite old now. It means some parts may need replacement - such as a catalytic converter, for example.

Today, we'll tell you how much money you can get if you sell your old catalytic converter from the Nissan Xterra. We'll also show you how to sell the cat. Unfortunately, a lot of Americans still sell their old OEM cats to scrapyards and just lose at least half of the money they could get if they sold these cats to some other companies.

Here's what we'll tell you about:

• What's the location of the Nissan Xterra catalytic converter?
• How long will the OEM converter live in your Xterra?
• How much should a scrap catalytic converter cost in this vehicle?
• How to sell the cat converter to get more money?
• Do you need a replacement converter if you sell your old one from the Xterra?

Let's get started!

What do you need to know about the Xterra converter?

The Nissan Xterra features wonderful engines. The base 2.4L L4 engine is the smallest. Then there is the 3.3L V6 option for the first generation. The second-gen Xterra was sold with a 4-liter V6 engine. Each engine has a certain set of catalytic converters to deal with emissions, so all of them are equipped with this valuable part.

While the L4 engine may have two catalytic converters, the V6 units will have at least 3 cat converters. Two pre-cats are installed near exhaust manifolds and the main cat is mounted closer to the muffler. It means the vehicle will anyway have more than one catalytic converter. And before cutting it off, you should have them diagnosed.

Here's what you should know about the Xterra's converters:

• pre-cats are quite small, but they are still valuable because they contain some precious metals that can be recycled;
• main catalytic converters are much bigger and they cost more, the weight of the metals you will find there is pretty good;
• all OEM converters are Nissan-made, some of them will have serial numbers on their bodies while others won't;
• these cat converters contain some platinum, palladium, and also a little rhodium, so they are really valuable;
• the cats are durable and some of them will live as long as the vehicle, but sometimes they may get damaged;
• these cats can't be recycled without special equipment, so it's impossible to take those precious metals and sell them.

The obvious way to get rid of a clogged or broken converter is to sell it. You'll be able to get some money and reduce your own expenses for the new converter. Also, some car owners sell converters from their Nissan Xterra when the car is going to be sent to a scrapyard. This way will help you get more money from a vehicle.

Before you decide to sell the old converter, learn more about the prices for new cats and the labor to install them. If you don't do that, the costs may be surprisingly high. So, better get informed on everything before you make your next step.

So, how long will the cat converter live in your Nissan Xterra?

The average lifespan of the OEM catalytic converter in the Xterra is about 150,000 miles. That's a lot if you compare it with an average 100,000-mile figure for all converters. But anyway, your Xterra is a durable SUV that can live much longer. It means you can actually change the whole set of converters until your car is dead.

So, the best idea of what to do with old OEM converters is to sell them for recycling. And it can also bring you some money.

Here's what can make your Xterra cat converter die much earlier:

• physical damage over some rock or other objects on the road;
• overheating and actually burning;
• rust issues with the body of the cat converter;
• contamination and clogging;
• other issues that shorten the life of any cat.

How much should a catalytic converter from the Xterra cost?

The average price for the OEM main catalytic converter from the Nissan Xterra is $180 to $280 depending on the model and year of the vehicle. The pre-cat will not cost as much - its price should be about $60 each.

But prices are not stable, they can fluctuate and they do this every single month. So, after we write this article something may change the actual price for cat converters from the Xterra.

Here are some of the most important things that can change the price:

• the condition of your converter - broken cats are not usually bought at the full price;
• the size and type of cat - some Xterra converters are larger and better than other ones;
• the prices for platinum, palladium, and rhodium which change all the time;
• the buyer that you choose to sell your catalytic converter to.

As you see, most of the factors are out of your control. This doesn't mean you can't change anything and should agree with any price. The OEM catalytic converter should be sold at a good price even if all these conditions are not on your side.

Well, the only thing you can actually control and use to sell the converter at a better price is the choice of the buyer. Let's see who can buy the Nissan Xterra catalytic converter after it stops functioning and has some problems.

Potential buyers of your converter

Many companies can buy and sell catalytic converters, but you should find the one that gives you more money. It may seem quite hard, but actually, this isn't going to take a lot of time from your day.

Here are the types of buyers you can rely on:

• scrapyards - they will buy your cat immediately but pay just a little money;
• exhaust shops and mechanics - these guys will buy your cat for some little price, not the best option;
• eBay - a very great option for any cats that are still able to work and pass the fog test, but you will have to wait for your client;
• private buyers - they are usually resellers and just want to buy your cat cheaper and then sell it at a higher price;
• recycling companies - this is our recommendation because these companies pay you more money and are pleasant to deal with.

So, recycling companies seem like the best option. They pay you much more money and are ready to buy cats any day of the week. They compete with each other and this gives you one more chance to get even more money for your cat if you just follow our guidelines.

How to sell your Nissan Xterra cat to a recycling company?

If you decided to deal with recycling companies, this short guide will help you. The best option for you is to just find three or four companies that can buy the converter that you have in your hands.

Here's what exactly you should do:

• First of all, take the converter off the Xterra and clean it a little to make it look better in the pictures.
• Then, you should take some pictures and make sure that you can see the serial number on those pictures.
• The next step is your research. Go online and find companies that buy catalytic converters, pay attention to recycling companies only.
• After that, you should use their websites to quote. This will take you just some minutes, but you will know a lot of useful information.
• In a day or two, these companies will offer you certain prices that you can get for your catalytic converter.
• The last step is just to choose the company that pays more money and is ready to pay for shipping.

Will you need to replace the old cat converter in the Xterra?

Unfortunately, when you sell the cat converter, it's not the end of the story. You should replace it with some other converter to pass the fog test in your state. If there is no converter, the car will also show you the check engine light and won't go as it should.

The replacement converter may cost from $150 for an aftermarket option to $2,000 for an OEM converter. Of course, the cheapest converters are not that efficient and are not durable at all. But buying an OEM cat converter for the old Xterra is kind of insane because the cat is not going to cost more than the converter itself.

Final words

Now you know what to do with the old converter from your Xterra SUV. We've also told you how exactly you will be able to sell it. The estimated prices we've given above may not be true in a month or two after the article is published. But you can always use our guidelines on dealing with catalytic converter recycling companies and get to know the current price for your cat.