Can I Scrap A Car Without A Catalytic Converter?

The catalytic converter. An almost mythical piece of kit. Everyone’s heard of it, whether they know what it is, what it does, or even where to locate one on the underside of a car. Unfortunately, there are some people out there who know exactly where to find them and how much they’re worth. This is why ‘cat’ converter theft is rife and leads many drivers to consider scrapping their cars, if their insurance companies won’t cover the losses of course. But can you do it? Is it possible to scrap a car that’s missing such a valuable part like the catalytic converter. Find out below, with Scrap Cars For Cash.

Or get a quote right now from Scrap Cars For Cash by calling 08443 761 020 or by filling in the digital form above with your postcode and vehicle reg. We’ll find you the highest price from scrap and salvage buyers in your local area and you’ll even be able to choose a suitable time for the car or van to be collected and taken away. This collection service is available for all customers at no extra charge!

Can I Scrap A Car Without A Cat Converter?

We will accept any vehicle at Scrap Cars For Cash, so we have no qualms about scrapping a car that’s missing its catalytic converter. However, we have to warn you that no matter where you try to sell this vehicle, you’re likely to get a lower price than you’d hope for. The cat converter is an extremely pricey piece of metalwork, so it will be one of the key components that any Authorised Treatment Facility (or licensed scrap yard, as you may know them) is going to want to get their hands on.

When you get a price with us, we will initially value your vehicle as though the cat converter is in place and intact, so if this is not the case, you’ll need to let us know as soon as possible so that your offer can be adjusted appropriately. If a collection agent arrives and assesses the vehicle to not have one in place, and you’ve failed to inform us of this, your price will need to be renegotiated.

What Is A Catalytic Converter?

Catalytic converters may not be involved with the actual operation of getting your vehicle from A to B, but they’re actually very important and every car is supposed to have one. Their whole purpose is to filter fumes emitted by your car, like hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide, and turn them into less harmful emissions such as water vapour and carbon dioxide.

Without a cat converter, your car will be doing a good job of polluting the environment and potentially even impacting the health of you, your passengers and any pedestrians that spend too long around your car.

Will My Car Price Be Lower Without A Catalytic Converter?

As it happens, we’ve already addressed this above: yes, your price will be lower than if the vehicle had a catalytic converter.


Catalytic converters are made from expensive materials that are worth a small fortune to someone who knows how to use them. This is exactly why many criminals will ransack cars and steal their cat converters, often preying on multiple cars in one night. It’s not just here in the UK, either. Catalytic converter theft is rife all over the world, with even famous, highly noticeable vehicles being targeted.

Benefits Of Having A Catalytic Converter When Scrapping A Car

Ultimately, the biggest benefit of having a catalytic converter in place is going to be the price you’ll be offered. At Scrap Cars For Cash, we will always hunt down the best offers for your car, with or without any components, but an intact catalytic converter is always going to improve your offers.

If you’re now satisfied that we will get you a fair price no matter what, give us a call on 08443 761 020 or fill in the form at the top of this page and you’ll be given an offer for your car in under 60 seconds. If you accept, you’ll get free collection as standard, no matter where you are in the UK, and the entire process from beginning to the money-in-the-bank end should only take a few days!