Catalytic Converter Scrap Singapore

Catalytic Converter Scrap Singapore

Top rates based on platinum, palladium, rhodium content

What Molten Steel actually buys

We buy scrap metal — not whole vehicles. Molten Steel is a licensed scrap metal dealer, not an LTA-appointed scrap car dealer. We do not deregister cars and we do not handle COE rebates. Our customers are scrap car dealers, yards, mechanics and workshops who already strip vehicles down to recoverable metal.

We buy

  • Stripped car bodies (metal shell only)
  • Catalytic converters
  • Engine blocks, gearboxes, drivetrain
  • Copper wiring harnesses
  • Aluminium rims, brass fittings
  • Loose ferrous + non-ferrous parts

Strip and remove first

  • Tyres
  • Seat cushions and foam
  • Wool, fabric, carpet
  • Steering wheel (plastic + airbag)
  • Windscreen and side glass
  • Plastic trim, dashboard

Are you a car owner trying to deregister an end-of-life vehicle? Use an LTA-appointed scrap car dealer first. Once they strip the vehicle to metal, Molten Steel buys that metal at LME-benchmarked per-kg rates.

Catalytic converters are the most valuable piece of end-of-life vehicle scrap — worth more than the rest of the car's body in many cases. Molten Steel buys catalytic converters in Singapore at fair, PGM-content-based rates. If you’re a car workshop, mechanic, scrap car dealer or yard, this is one of our highest-paying single lines — pair with our scrap car metal buyer service for per-kg metal pricing on the rest of the load.

Why Catalytic Converters Are Valuable

Catalytic Converter converters contain the three Platinum Group Metals (PGMs): platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh). At current (April 2026) market:

  • Platinum: ~USD $1,000/oz
  • Palladium: ~USD $900/oz
  • Rhodium: ~USD $5,000/oz (historically volatile)

A typical car catalytic converter contains 2-7g of combined PGMs — worth anywhere from SGD $50 to $500+ depending on model.

What Determines Your Payout

  • Vehicle make/model — some models (European diesels, hybrids) have denser PGM loadings.
  • Original vs aftermarket — OEM catalytic converters pay substantially more than aftermarket.
  • Condition — intact catalytic converters are worth more; damaged/gutted catalytic converters are worth less.
  • Current PGM market — prices move daily; we benchmark on inspection.

How to Sell Your Catalytic Converter

  1. Photo and model info — send WhatsApp pics including any part number stamps; this speeds up quoting.
  2. Bring to 170 Gul Circle — or arrange pickup if you have multiple catalytic converters or other scrap to collect.
  3. Inspection and grading — we identify OEM vs aftermarket, check for damage.
  4. Firm quote — based on current PGM rates and the grade of your catalytic converter.
  5. Same-day cash or bank transfer.

Ownership Documentation

Because catalytic converter theft is a known issue globally, we verify ownership before buying. Bring NRIC plus evidence that the catalytic converter came from your own vehicle or workshop (workshop invoice, scrap vehicle log card, etc.). Singapore has regulations on scrap metal dealer documentation for higher-value items — we stay fully compliant.

Car Workshops and Garages

Running a workshop in Singapore and accumulating catalytic converters from vehicle servicing? We offer regular collection, consolidated payment runs, and volume rates. Contact our commercial desk for a pickup schedule.

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The Full Catalytic Converter Grading & Payout Process

Catalytic converter pricing is more technical than most scrap transactions because value is locked in the platinum group metal (PGM) loading of the honeycomb monolith, not the steel shell. Here is exactly what happens when you bring a catalytic converter to our Gul Circle yard or send photos for a remote quote.

  1. Identification — we read the stamped part number on the shell (where present) and cross-reference against PGM databases that map OEM part numbers to typical Pt/Pd/Rh loadings.
  2. Photography — for remote quotes, you send 4-6 clear WhatsApp photos: both ends, the part number stamp, the shell condition, and the honeycomb through either opening.
  3. PGM content estimation — OEM catalytic converters from European diesels, Japanese hybrids, and large-displacement petrol engines typically carry 3-7g of combined PGMs. Aftermarket and ‘universal’ catalytic converters often carry under 1g.
  4. Firm quote issued — based on current Pt, Pd, Rh spot prices (USD/oz) converted to SGD, less the industry-standard refining and assay discount.
  5. NEA-compliant documentation — because catalytic converter theft is a tracked issue globally, we record seller NRIC, vehicle log card or workshop invoice reference, and catalytic converter part number on every transaction.
  6. Payment — same-day cash for walk-ins under S$2,000, bank transfer for higher values or workshop accounts on consolidated runs.

For a deeper dive on how we calculate valuations, see our catalytic converter value guide.

What Sets Our Catalytic Converter Buying Apart

  • OEM vs aftermarket identification — we read part numbers and do not pay an aftermarket catalytic converter at OEM rates (or vice-versa, which cheats the seller).
  • XRF verification on-site — for doubt cases we run the honeycomb through handheld XRF to confirm PGM presence and rule out ’empty’ or gutted shells being passed off as full catalytic converters.
  • Model-level pricing — we quote by vehicle make/model rather than flat per-kg, because a shell from a Prius or Lexus hybrid is worth a multiple of a shell from an entry-level petrol compact.
  • Transparent PGM formula — on request we show you the Pt/Pd/Rh breakdown behind your quote, so you can see the workings rather than take a black-box number.
  • Full NEA documentation — every transaction leaves a paper trail that protects you against any downstream provenance query. Our licensing is current.
  • Workshop consolidated runs — busy workshops accumulate catalytic converters across weeks; we offer scheduled pickup and consolidated payment rather than requiring a per-catalytic-converter walk-in.

Who Sells Catalytic Converters Through Us

  • Car workshops and independent garages — servicing exhaust replacements and end-of-life cars. Typically 5-30 catalytic converters per month. Most of our workshop accounts are in Sin Ming, Kaki Bukit, Ubi, and Tuas.
  • Scrap yards and used car dealers — pulling catalytic converters from vehicles before crushing or resale. Volumes are higher and the mix is broader (Japanese, European, commercial).
  • Mobile mechanics — who replace catalytic converters roadside and accumulate stock in the van. We accept walk-ins without appointment.
  • LTA-appointed scrap car dealers — offloading the catalytic converter stream from end-of-life vehicles where in-house PGM processing is not viable. Pair with our scrap car metal buyer service for the rest of the stripped load.
  • Private owners with a removed catalytic converter from a previous service — if a workshop replaced your catalytic converter and the old unit came home with you, it is still worth meaningful PGM value. Walk-ins accepted at 170 Gul Circle with NRIC and the workshop invoice that confirms it is your unit.
  • Insurance and salvage auctions — write-off vehicles where the catalytic converter is often intact even if the rest of the car is totalled.

Indicative Payouts by Vehicle Model

The table below shows typical SGD payouts for OEM catalytic converters from common Singapore vehicles. These are April 2026 benchmarks — actual quotes move with PGM spot prices and the specific part number. Aftermarket catalytic converters run at roughly 20-35% of OEM rates.

VehicleEngine typeTypical OEM payout (SGD)
Toyota Prius (2nd/3rd gen)Hybrid 1.5/1.8S$350-600
Toyota CamryPetrol 2.0/2.5S$120-240
Toyota Altis / CorollaPetrol 1.6/1.8S$80-160
Honda Civic / CityPetrol 1.5/1.8S$80-180
Honda CR-VPetrol 2.0/2.4S$140-260
Nissan Sylphy / LatioPetrol 1.6/1.8S$80-160
Mazda 3 / 6 (SkyActiv)Petrol 2.0S$140-240
Hyundai Avante / i30Petrol 1.6S$80-150
Mercedes C-Class / E-ClassPetrol/DieselS$220-500
BMW 3 Series / 5 SeriesPetrol/DieselS$220-520
Audi A4 / A6Petrol/DieselS$220-500
Volkswagen Golf / PassatPetrol/TDIS$180-380
Lexus IS / ES / RXPetrol/HybridS$260-620
Subaru Forester / ImprezaBoxer 2.0/2.5S$140-280
Mitsubishi Lancer / ASXPetrol 1.6/2.0S$90-180

Commercial vehicles (vans, light trucks) typically carry larger catalytic converters and pay higher — quote on model.

Catalytic Converter FAQ

How do you know if my catalytic converter is OEM or aftermarket?

OEM catalytic converters carry factory part number stamps and specific honeycomb configurations. Aftermarket and ‘universal’ catalytic converters have generic shells with little or no part number stamping and noticeably lighter PGM loading. We can usually tell from a photo, and confirm with XRF if there is any doubt.

Why do European diesels pay so much?

European diesel after-treatment systems carry higher platinum loadings to meet emission standards, often paired with a separate diesel particulate filter (DPF) that also contains PGMs. The combined assembly from a Mercedes, BMW, Audi or VW diesel is typically worth two to five times a comparable petrol catalytic converter.

Can I sell a catalytic converter I found, or from a car not registered to me?

No. We only buy catalytic converters from the registered vehicle owner or an authorised workshop/scrap yard with proper documentation. Singapore has strict scrap dealer rules, and we record NRIC, vehicle log card reference, and part number on every transaction to stay NEA-compliant and deter theft.

What is rhodium and why does it swing the price?

Rhodium is the most valuable of the three PGMs and is used sparingly in catalytic converters. At around USD $5,000/oz it is far more expensive than platinum or palladium. A catalytic converter with even 0.5g of rhodium carries meaningful value; rhodium-heavy catalytic converters (some European diesels, high-end hybrids) pay the top of the range.

Do you buy diesel particulate filters (DPFs) as well?

Yes. DPFs frequently contain platinum and sometimes palladium for regeneration. We quote them separately from the catalytic converter; some modern vehicles have a combined DPF-plus-catalytic-converter assembly that is priced as a single unit.

What about gutted or empty shells?

If the honeycomb has been removed the shell is just stainless scrap — worth around S$3-6 for the steel, not PGM rates. We will tell you on inspection if a catalytic converter has been hollowed out.

How is the PGM spot price converted to my SGD quote?

We take current Pt, Pd, and Rh spot prices in USD/oz, estimate the PGM grams in your specific catalytic converter, convert at the day’s SGD/USD rate, and apply the standard refiner discount (typically 15-30% depending on assay and volume). The result is your firm quote.

Can I get paid by bank transfer instead of cash?

Yes. Cash is fine for walk-ins under S$2,000. Above that, or for workshop accounts, bank transfer is standard. We can also run consolidated weekly or fortnightly payments against a batch of catalytic converters collected across multiple drops.

Related Resources

Quote Your Catalytic Converter