A catalytic converter is necessary for any fuel-powered vehicle. If the catalytic converter goes bad, you must get it replaced. But because this vital automotive part is so expensive, it is common for the cost of replacing a catalytic converter to exceed the current market value of the vehicle in whole. In such a case, a car would be deemed a total loss by the presiding insurance carrier. If this happens to you, it would be more beneficial for you to sell your car or file an insurance claim for a totaled vehicle rather than paying to replace the catalytic converter.
Continue reading the learn more about catalytic converters, including their average cost and what to do if your car is a total loss after yours breaks down.
The Importance of Catalytic Converters
Your car’s catalytic converter is so important because it filters the dangerous emissions produced by burning fuel. More than just a tailpipe, the catalytic converter is designed with an internal, honeycomb-like structure that inventively eliminates harmful emissions, thus protecting our surrounding environment from pollution. It also prevents your car’s muffler from billowing large clouds of smoke on the road, which can be very dangerous to other drivers.
Cost to Replace a Catalytic Converter
To get straight to the point, catalytic converters are not cheap. Because they are such an essential automotive component designed to perform a critical to perform such critical tasks, they must be manufactured from high quality, precious metals like platinum and titanium. For this reason, they can only be so cheap.
On average, you can expect a catalytic converter to cost anywhere between $800 and $2,200 if purchased brand-new. This however does not include the cost of labor and any necessary parts required to perform the catalytic converter replacement job. When all said and done, the total cost to replace the catalytic converter can be as high as $3000. If you are purchasing a used catalytic converter, you can expect to save anywhere from 10 to 20%. However, you will still need to pay an auto repair shop to perform the work for you.
When Catalytic Converter Cost Exceeds Car Value
Sometimes, catalytic converters are so expensive they exceed the current market value for the actual vehicle. For this reason, it doesn’t make sense to replace the catalytic converter. Instead, it is recommended to turn your car over to your insurance carrier, or seller to a local Indianapolis cash for cars company. When you sell your totaled car to a local junkyard buyer, you get paid instant cash on the spot, which can be put toward a new vehicle purchase!
Are you ready to sell your totaled vehicle for cash on the spot? Contact Benjamin’s Junk Cars at 317-218-7133 to sell your junk car in Indianapolis for cash on the spot! We serve all of Central Indiana.
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