A scrap Subaru catalytic converter is worth $60 to $400+, with complete OEM sets from Outback and Forester models often totaling $300-$600. Most Subarus carry two converters: a front pre-cat and a smaller “bean cat,” and the smaller unit is frequently the more valuable of the pair due to richer precious metal loading. Aftermarket replacements fetch only $10-$30.
| Grade / Item | Low | High | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front converter | $60 | $250 | USD/unit |
| Bean cat (rear small) | $100 | $400 | USD/unit |
| Complete OEM set | $300 | $600 | USD/set |
| Aftermarket | $5 | $50 | USD/unit |
| Country | Typical Range | Per Tonne | Cur. |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $50 – $450 /unit (typical OEM) | — | USD |
| Canada | C$65 – C$600 /unit | — | CAD |
| United Kingdom | £40 – £350 /unit | — | GBP |
| Germany / EU | €45 – €400 /unit | — | EUR |
| Australia | A$75 – A$650 /unit | — | AUD |
| India | ₹4,000 – ₹35,000 /unit | — | INR |
| UAE / Dubai | 180 – 1,600 AED /unit | — | AED |
Rates for every other converter are collected in the complete scrap metal price index.
Why Subaru Catalytic Converters Hold Strong Scrap Value
Subaru’s boxer engines run a distinctive exhaust layout, and the converters that come with it are consistently good sellers in the scrap market. Like other Japanese manufacturers, Subaru historically used generous platinum group metal (PGM) loadings to meet emissions standards, which keeps recyclers interested in every OEM unit.
The typical Subaru setup includes a primary catalytic converter plus a pre-cat, and on H6 models you may find three units. Here’s the detail most sellers miss: size doesn’t equal value. The smaller bean-shaped cat often contains more precious metal per unit than the larger pre-cat, so never assume the big one is the payday.
Sellers on owner forums report real-world prices of $60 per unit at walk-in yards up to $300 per converter through serial-number-based online buyers, which shows exactly how much the selling channel matters.
Current Subaru Converter Scrap Values
- Typical OEM Subaru converter: $100 – $300 per unit
- WRX / STI converters: $120 – $400 (performance models carry premium loadings)
- Complete set (2-3 cats): $200 – $600
- Bean cat alone: $80 – $300
- Aftermarket replacement: $10 – $30
- Rhodium spot price: ~$10,000/oz
Owner-reported sales back these ranges up: one Outback H6 front exhaust with three cats brought the equivalent of about $150 USD at a walk-in scrap buyer, while individually graded Subaru cats through serial-number pricing have brought $300 each. The spread between those two outcomes is your negotiating room.
The Two-Cat Setup: Know What You’re Selling
The pre-cat (front converter) sits close to the engine and handles the initial emissions cleanup. It’s physically larger on most models, which fools sellers into thinking it’s the valuable one. Typical range: $60-$200.
The bean cat (secondary converter) is the smaller bean-shaped unit further downstream. Despite its size, it frequently carries a richer PGM coating and outprices the pre-cat. Typical range: $80-$300.
H6 models (Outback 3.0R, 3.6R, Tribeca) can run three converters. If you’re scrapping a six-cylinder Subaru, make sure you’re getting paid for every unit.
Finding the Serial Number (It’s Not Where You Think)
Here’s a Subaru quirk that costs sellers money: the identification code is often stamped on the heat shield, not the converter body itself. If you’ve cut off your cats and tossed the shields, you’ve thrown away the pricing key.
- Keep the heat shields with the converters when removing them.
- Check the outside of each shield for a stamped alphanumeric code.
- Clean rust with steel wool if the code is hard to read.
- Photograph the code plus the converter from multiple angles before requesting quotes.
Buyers grade Subaru cats primarily by these codes. An unidentified unit drops to the lowest pricing tier, the same rule that applies to Honda Civic converters and every other brand.
Where to Sell Your Subaru Converters
Online Serial-Number Buyers
RRCats, AutoCatalystMarket, and similar platforms price against live PGM markets using your stamped codes. Consistently the best payout for individual sellers, often 2-4x what a walk-in yard offers.
Local Scrapyards
Quick cash but conservative grading. Forum reports of $60 per cat at local yards versus $300 through code-based buyers tell the whole story. Fine for damaged or unidentified units.
Whole-Car Sales
If you’re junking the entire Subaru, note that many car recyclers pay the same whether the cats are on or off. Pulling the converters before the sale and selling them separately almost always nets more total money.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Discarding the heat shields: The serial codes live there. No code, no premium price.
- Assuming the big cat is worth more: The small bean cat frequently wins. Grade both.
- Selling cats with the junk car: Pull them first if the recycler pays the same either way.
- Gutting the honeycomb: Intact substrate is the entire value. Cracked honeycomb still recycles, but empty shells are worth almost nothing.
- Skipping documentation: Anti-theft laws in 31+ states mean yards want proof of ownership and ID. Bring both.
Getting the Best Price
Pull every converter including the bean cat, keep the heat shields, photograph all stamped codes, and get 2-3 quotes from serial-number-based online buyers before accepting any walk-in offer. Sell complete sets together when possible.
Track rhodium before you commit. With the metal above $10,000/oz, Subaru cat prices are near their strongest levels since the 2021 spike, and the same PGM math drives values across every brand from Ford F-150 converters to European luxury cars.
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