What happens to the parts and the catalytic converter from a scrapped car?
Short answer: Reusable parts such as engines, gearboxes, panels and wheels may be cleaned and resold, the catalytic converter is removed and sold to a specialist refiner who recovers the precious metals inside, and the remaining shell is crushed or shredded for metal recycling, and because converters are often targeted by thieves, legitimate dealers record where they came from and who they sell them to.
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List Free →Reusable parts
Parts in good condition are tested, cleaned and sold on, which is why dismantlers often pay more for popular models.
Catalytic converters
Converters contain valuable metals and are recovered separately, with records kept to show where they came from.
The shell
What remains is crushed or shredded, and the steel and other metals are recycled.
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