The Ford F-150, just like any other vehicle, is equipped with parts that naturally go through wear and tear, such as the catalytic converter.
As the F-150’s catalytic converter reaches the end of its usable life, you may want to sell it as a scrap part. But the question is, how much can you actually expect to get out of it?
In this article, we’ll be looking at the average scrap price of a Ford F-150’s catalytic converter as well as other info that should help you decide if it’s actually worth selling.
What is the scrap price of a Ford F150 catalytic converter?
The Ford F150 catalytic converter’s scrap price can cost from $450 to $900 depending on the condition of the component and the fluctuation of the price of the metals used within the converter.
A catalytic converter is one of the most valuable parts of a vehicle like the Ford F150 because of the components that it contains, which we’ll also be discussing in more detail in the next part.
But of course, its actual value can vary depending on its condition, so that means that a unit with less damage and didn’t see that many miles of use will fetch a higher price once you take it to the scrapyard.
Furthermore, the bulk of a catalytic converter’s value actually comes from the precious metals used inside it. Thus, the more residue of these precious metals is left inside, the higher the value of the catalytic converter.
However, we shouldn’t forget that these precious metals also tend to fluctuate in price per gram, which further adds to why the scrap price range we’ve mentioned above is considerably wide.
What are the components of a Ford F150 catalytic converter?
The main components inside a Ford F150 catalytic converter include precious metals such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, cerium, other more common metals, and a roll of metal foils.
Platinum
Platinum is one of the most commonly used precious metals inside a catalytic converter, and serves as one of the “catalysts” that reduces the emission of harmful pollutants from the Ford F150’s exhaust system.
As of the time of this writing, the price of platinum is now at $34.14 per gram, which is actually the cheapest out of the three main precious metals typically used in a catalytic converter.
As for the amount of platinum actually used in a catalytic converter, it’s usually between 3 to 8 grams (0.1 to 0.3 ounces) on average.
Palladium
Palladium is another precious metal that’s widely used in manufacturing catalytic converters, and there are about 3 to 4 grams (0.1 to 0.14 ounces) of it when you open up a catalytic converter.
While there’s slightly less of it on average compared to platinum, palladium is a significantly more expensive metal at a cost of $57.84 per gram at the time of this writing.
Rhodium
Rhodium is one of the three main precious metals used as catalysts inside a catalytic converter, and it’s also the rarest and most expensive precious metal on earth.
Just one gram of rhodium in January 2023 can fetch a price of $400.28. That’s over $12,000 if you were to have an ounce of the precious metal.
Just like palladium, there are also about 3 to 4 grams of rhodium inside a catalytic converter. However, this doesn’t mean that you’re going to be recovering that amount from a used one.
Unless you’re going to be scrapping a new and unused catalytic converter, which is highly unlikely, the actual scrap value that you may be able to salvage out of traces of rhodium alone is around $53 on average, realistically speaking.
Cerium
Cerium is categorized as a “rare earth metal”, but unlike the precious metals we’ve already discussed, it actually takes the form of cerium oxide in order to be used as a catalyst.
There’s about 22% of cerium inside a catalytic converter, and it’s mainly applied as a wash coat on the honeycomb-like interior of the converter.
Despite what its name suggests, cerium is actually quite abundant in the earth’s crust. Though due to the nature of cerium, it cannot be exposed to air without being tarnished.
According to data from the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), 99% cerium metal content is currently priced at $3,872.79 per metric ton (MT), which translates to only about $0.1 per ounce ($0.004 per gram).
With that said, there’s not really a lot (or none at all) that you can get out of cerium from a catalytic converter alone.
Other Common Metals (Iron, Copper, Nickel, Manganese)
Aside from containing precious and rare metals, a catalytic converter can also contain smaller amounts of more common metals (also known as base metals) such as iron, copper, nickel, and manganese.
Such metals also play the role of catalysts in the reduction and oxidation of harmful exhaust emissions, though they are more limited compared to the precious metals previously discussed.
Do keep in mind that these inexpensive metals are often disregarded in the scrapping process, so you’ll be lucky to receive even an extra dollar or two for them on top of the total scrap price of the catalytic converter.
For your reference, we’ve still included the price of these metals as of this writing, though they are listed in terms of “per metric ton (MT)” instead because of how cheap they are.
We’ve also included an estimated price of a ton of gold as of January 2023 just to give you an idea of the difference in value between a base metal and a precious metal.
| Base Metal | Price Per Metric Ton (MT) |
| Iron (Ore) | $121.50 |
| Copper | $8,375.40 |
| Nickel | $27,027 |
| Manganese | $4.77 |
| Gold (For Comparison) | $61,200,000+ (January 2023 Estimate) |
Metal Foil/Metallic Catalyst Substrate
Catalytic converters also often come with thin rolls of metal foil that are used as substrates, which allow a higher surface area within the catalytic converter’s chamber.
These metal foils are also known as “metallic catalyst substrates” and they are usually made out of iron, aluminum, chromium, and sometimes even palladium.
But even with a precious metal like palladium included, you’re not going to be able to salvage that much value out of a scrapped metallic catalyst substrate, as they often have no use anymore once the converter is out of its useful lifespan.
Factors that Determine the Ford F150 Catalytic Converter Scrap Price
The Ford F150’s catalytic converter scrap price is determined by factors such as the condition of its parts, the recyclability of the parts, its expected lifespan, and the ratio of the metallic mixture inside it.
Condition of Parts
As with any other item that you’re trying to sell, how much you’re going to get by selling your Ford F-150’s catalytic converter is majorly affected by how good the condition of the item is.
This means that once the scrapyard workers open up the converter, they can check the condition of the individual parts inside to see if there are any signs of damage or anything worth salvaging at all.
Naturally, this also means that the higher the mileage of the vehicle, the worse off its catalytic converter’s condition is going to be.
And of course, if they are able to retrieve a good amount of leftover precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, then that can also be an ideal profitable scenario for you.
Recyclability of Parts
The scrap price of a catalytic converter can also be determined by how many of its internal components are still recyclable.
More damaged components would render the catalytic converter of lesser value, as recyclers or anyone buying it at all would have to repair or restore the parts first before they can be used for something else.
But on the other hand, it’s also difficult to find a catalytic converter in near-perfect condition just for the sake of recyclability unless you were to buy it from somebody who recently wrecked and wrote off their new car.
Catalytic Converter Lifespan
A simpler factor that doesn’t require you to open up your Ford F-150’s catalytic converter in order to gauge its value is its expected lifespan from the factory.
| In the Ford F-150’s case, its catalytic converter can last for about 100,000 miles (161,000 km) or 10 years on average before it starts to fail. This is pretty much the expected lifespan for most catalytic converters as long as regular maintenance is done. |
With that said, how many miles are left before you reach this expected lifespan can also either raise or lower the overall scrap price of your catalytic converter. Thus, lower mileage also equates to higher scrap value.
Ratio of Metallic Mixture
Quite a big factor that affects the scrap price of the catalytic converter is the ratio of metallic mixture that’s left inside of it.
Of course, if there’s a bigger ratio of precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium compared to more common ones like iron and nickel, then you can expect the scrapyard to offer you a higher appraisal for your catalytic converter.
However, we remind you that the prices of such metals are always fluctuating, so be sure to at least familiarize yourself with how the metals market moves so you can plan on when it would be the best time to sell your catalytic converter.
Can you drive a Ford F150 without a catalytic converter?
You can still drive a Ford F150 even without a catalytic converter installed, as it will not affect its ability to start and run.
However, driving without a catalytic converter is illegal in most places, causes more harmful emissions, throws a check engine light, and creates more exhaust noise.
The Ford F-150, just like any other vehicle on the road, can still be driven as usual even if you remove a catalytic converter.
In fact, we even have a dedicated article on driving without a catalytic converter that we highly recommend checking out.
However, as that article also mentions, driving without one also has its downsides, especially if you’re going to be driving your F-150 on public roads.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much is a scrap catalytic converter worth in the US?
Scrap catalytic converters in the US cost an average of $300 to $1,500 depending on the condition, vehicle model, and the current price of the precious metals used inside them.
How much is a scrap catalytic converter worth in the UK?
Scrap catalytic converters in the UK cost an average of £200 to £1,600 depending on the condition, vehicle model, and the current price of the precious metals used inside them.
Which cars have the most expensive catalytic converters?
The most expensive catalytic converters belong to the Ferrari F430 ($3,770 each), Lamborghini Aventador ($3,120 each), RAM 2500 ($3,460), Ford F-250 ($2,800), and Ford Mustang ($1,500).
| Vehicle Model | Average Catalytic Converter Price |
| Ferrari F430 | $3,770 ($7,540 for 2) |
| Lamborghini Aventador | $3,120 ($6,240 for 2) |
| RAM 2500 | $3,460 |
| Ford F-250 | $2,800 |
| Ford Mustang | $1,500 |
How much is a used Ford F150 catalytic converter worth?
A used catalytic converter out of a Ford F150 will cost between $450 and $900 depending on its condition and the price fluctuation of the precious metals inside of it.
How many catalytic converters are in a Ford F150?
The Ford F-150 has a total of two catalytic converters (also known as a dual system), one at the front and one at the rear of the truck’s exhaust system.
How much value is in a catalytic converter?
A typical catalytic converter has about $300 to $1,500 worth of value depending on its condition, the vehicle model it’s from, and the price fluctuation of the precious metals used inside it.
