{"id":1630,"date":"2018-12-21T12:22:39","date_gmt":"2018-12-21T12:22:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scrapcarnetwork.org\/news\/?p=1630"},"modified":"2020-04-09T13:49:42","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T12:49:42","slug":"catalytic-converter-scrap-my-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scrapcarnetwork.org\/news\/catalytic-converter-scrap-my-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I remove the catalytic converter when I scrap my car?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a word: no. But we imagine you\u2019re probably looking for more detail than that, so we\u2019re happy to provide it! You\u2019ve probably heard of catalytic converters before, as they\u2019re by far one of the most valuable components of the average car. Some people even recommend removing your catalytic converter, either when you\u2019re still driving, or when the time comes to scrap your car. Trust us – it\u2019s not a good idea. Read on, and we\u2019ll explain why!<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a catalytic converter?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes fondly referred to as a cat, it\u2019s essentially a standard addition to the fuel system of modern vehicles. It\u2019s widely viewed as being one of the most important components of your car because it controls harmful emissions from the engine, which are limited by UK law. It does this through the use of catalyst substances, causing a chemical reaction that mitigates the most harmful engine emissions before they exit the exhaust pipe. Without it, the worst pollutants – including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide – can cause damaging environmental effects, such as thick smog and acid rain. <\/span><\/p>\n

Physically, the catalytic converter looks like an exhaust silencer, but is slimmer and smaller. It\u2019s most efficient at higher temperatures, which is why it\u2019s generally installed next to the engine (the hottest part of the car).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"cat<\/p>\n

Why are catalytic converters valuable?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The value of catalytic converters mainly comes from the mix of precious metals inside them. If you were to crack open a cat, you\u2019d find platinum, rhodium and palladium. Only we strongly advise that you don\u2019t crack it open, because the mix of materials inside a catalytic converter is highly toxic, and they\u2019re technically classed as hazardous waste by the authorities. It\u2019s one of the many reasons why they should only be recycled by specialists with the appropriate equipment – such as experts at our Authorised Treatment Facilities here at Scrap Car Network. <\/span><\/p>\n

Why shouldn\u2019t you remove a catalytic converter?<\/span><\/h2>\n

For starters, if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re doing you can end up accidentally exposing yourself to harmful materials, which is an activity on absolutely nobody\u2019s Christmas list. People sometimes remove catalytic converters to sell separately when they come to scrap their car, but it\u2019s worth bearing in mind that doing so can end up significantly impacting the price you\u2019re able to get for it. Often, this lost value isn\u2019t made up by the amount you\u2019re able to separately fetch for it, so in almost all cases it\u2019s worth simply leaving it on. For what it\u2019s worth, we\u2019d always advise against removing any parts before you scrap your car. It\u2019s rarely worth the trouble. <\/span><\/p>\n

It makes even less sense to remove your catalytic converter when your car is still operational, even if you\u2019ve got the knowledge necessary to do so. It\u2019s important to bear in mind that it\u2019s there as an environmental failsafe, to counteract the damaging gases your engine otherwise emits. Removing it not only exposes you to the worst effects of those gases, but also everyone around you, and the general environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"car-in-scrapyard\"<\/p>\n

Instead, it\u2019s better to simply leave your catalytic converter to do its job, and then once your car croaks its last you can count on us here at Scrap Car Network to recycle it safely and effectively. We\u2019re heavily focused on environmental friendliness and sustainable business practices, and this is one of several key reasons why many customers choose Scrap Car Network<\/span><\/a>. Of course, another key reason is that we\u2019re always able to get you the best price for your car! You can find out what yours is worth with a free, no obligation instant online quote, which you can get when you say scrap my car<\/a>, just by entering in your postcode and car reg<\/span> into our homepage. Couldn\u2019t hurt to find out, could it? <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a word: no. But we imagine you\u2019re probably looking for more detail than that, so we\u2019re happy to provide it! You\u2019ve probably heard of catalytic converters before, as they\u2019re by far one of the most valuable components of the average car. Some people even recommend removing your catalytic converter, either when you\u2019re still driving, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":1695,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[16,1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n