Do scrap dealers pay more for cars with catalytic converters in Hampshire?
Yes — the cat is often 20–40% of a scrap car's value. Why diesel cats pay more, cat theft, and what happens if yours has been stolen.
Yes — a healthy catalytic converter can account for 20–40% of a Hampshire scrap car's total value. The precious metals inside (platinum, palladium, rhodium) trade in grams but at high prices, so even a small unit is worth serious money.
Diesel vs petrol cats
Diesel cats are usually heavier and richer in platinum — they pay more. Petrol cats lean on palladium and rhodium; rhodium prices spiked in 2020–21 which briefly made petrol cats stronger.
What if my cat has been stolen?
Cat theft has been a persistent issue in Hampshire — Toyota Prius, Honda Jazz and Lexus hybrids are hit hardest. Missing cat = lower quote. Send a photo of the underside and we'll price accordingly. Report the theft to Hampshire police for the crime reference (needed for insurance).
Can I remove the cat before scrapping and sell it separately?
Legally, only if you're a licensed scrap metal dealer — same 2013 Act. Selling a cat privately for cash is illegal. Let a licensed ATF handle it and you get the value with none of the risk.
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