Subaru Catalytic Converter Scrap Price: Outback, Forester & More

A Subaru catalytic converter scraps for roughly $60 to $456 per unit as of September 9, 2026, and most Subarus carry two of them — a larger “pre-cat” and a smaller “bean cat” named for its shape. Counterintuitively, the smaller bean cat is very often the more valuable of the pair, because it sits closer to the engine and typically carries a denser precious-metal loading. Complete two-cat OEM sets from Outback, Forester and Legacy models commonly total $300–$600.

Rates for every other converter are collected in the complete scrap metal price index.

Why Subaru runs two converters — and why the small one pays more

Subaru’s boxer engine layout routes exhaust from two heads into a shared system, and most models place a close-coupled “pre-cat” or “bean cat” near the manifold junction, followed by a larger main converter further downstream (some parts catalogs and yards reverse the two names, so go by position and size rather than label). The unit closer to the engine sees exhaust before it has had time to cool, which historically pushed Subaru’s engineers to load it more heavily with catalyst to hit cold-start emissions targets. The downstream unit does the remaining cleanup work and is physically bigger but often carries less concentrated PGM per pound of substrate.

The practical upshot for anyone scrapping a Subaru: never assume the bigger, easier-to-reach converter is the valuable one. Pull both, tag them separately, and get each assayed on its own.

Subaru scrap value by model and generation

Turbocharged Subarus — WRX, STI, and turbo-engine Legacy/Outback trims — consistently price at the top of the range. Turbo engines push more exhaust volume at higher temperatures, so Subaru specified larger, more heavily loaded converters to keep emissions in check, and that shows up directly in scrap value.

Identifying your converters

• Locate the serial stamp on the outside of the shell, or occasionally underneath it depending on model — check both the bean cat and the main converter, since they’re graded independently.
• Clean before reading. Subaru undercarriages see plenty of road salt and grime in the states where they sell best, and that hides stamps fast.
• Photograph each unit separately with the code visible, since a buyer pricing “a Subaru cat” as one flat number is very likely underpaying you on at least one of the two.
• Don’t assume size equals value. This is the single most common mistake sellers make with Subaru converters specifically.

OEM versus aftermarket

Aftermarket Subaru converters are common on cars that have had emissions-related repairs, and they pay a fraction of OEM — typically $10 to $45 against $60 to $456 for a genuine factory unit. A shell that looks freshly painted or noticeably newer than the rest of the exhaust, or a CARB/EPA compliance number instead of a Subaru part code, both signal aftermarket.

Current PGM market backing these prices

Getting the best price

• Pull and quote both converters separately — never accept one flat number for “the Subaru’s cat.”
• Flag turbo trims explicitly (WRX, STI, turbo Legacy/Outback) since they consistently grade higher than naturally aspirated units.
• Get more than one quote. Buyers who don’t distinguish bean cat from main converter tend to lowball the pair.
• Keep both cores intact. A rattling or cut-open unit drops a grade regardless of which position it came from.

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