If you have an old car sitting in your yard, or if you run an auto repair shop with piles of old exhaust parts taking up space, you are sitting on a hidden source of cash. Most people look at an old catalytic converter or a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and see nothing more than a rusty, dirty piece of metal tube. But the truth is, these parts are among the most valuable pieces of scrap metal you can find on any vehicle. At H & Z Scrap Metal, we make it incredibly easy for you to turn these old car parts into real cash. You do not need to be an automotive expert to sell to us. Whether you have just one unit from your personal vehicle or a whole pallet of them from a commercial garage, we offer fair pricing, quick service, and honest payouts.
Catalytic Converter
& DPF Recycling
Why Are These Parts Worth So Much Money?
Terms like catalytic converters or abbreviations like DPF sure sound scary; especially to non-car-freaks, but to understand why these scrap parts are worth so much, you have to look at what they do inside a car. Both catalytic converters and DPFs are designed to clean up the exhaust smoke before it leaves the tailpipe. To do this heavy cleaning work, car manufacturers have to line the inside of the parts with rare, high-value metals. These metals act like a chemical filter to scrub away toxic fumes. Because these specific metals are so hard to mine and find globally, scrap yards pay top dollar to buy and recycle them. The following are a few reasons why they are in so much hype:
- Inside the metal shell is a ceramic brick that looks like a honeycomb. This brick is coated with precious materials that never disappear, even if the car stops running.
- Diesel Filtering: DPFs do a similar job but are specifically built for diesel engines to trap black soot. They are much larger and hold a significant amount of recyclable material.
- Constant Demand: Manufacturing companies always need these recycled metals to build new cars, which keeps the scrap value consistently high over and over again without dipping.
Types of Converters and DPF's We Accept
We buy a wide variety of exhaust scrap from all kinds of vehicles. You do not have to worry about cleaning the grease off them or identifying the exact model number yourself; our team will handle all the hard work when you bring them in. The following is a list of the ones we accept:
Standard Car Converters
These are the regular units found under everyday petrol cars, SUVs, and small vans.
Large Truck Units
Found under larger commercial vehicles, these are heavier and often yield a higher payout because of their size.
Pre-Converters
Small, secondary units located closer to the engine manifold on modern vehicles.
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs)
Found exclusively on diesel cars and trucks to catch exhaust soot.
Market Replacements
Budget-friendly replacement units that were installed after the original factory part wore out.
Industrial Exhaust Scrap
Large-scale filters used in heavy machinery, farm tractors, and large commercial generators.
Parts We Do Not Accept
To keep our business safe, honest, and in line with local laws, there are a few types of items we cannot purchase. Please check your scrap haul against this list before coming down to the yard:
Empty Shells: If someone has already cut the unit open and hollowed out the inside ceramic brick, the remaining steel shell has almost no value.
Loose Dust or Crushed Ceramic: We cannot buy loose gray powder or crushed interior pieces unless they are still secured inside the original metal casing.
Stolen Materials: We strictly follow local scrap metal laws. If a part looks like it was illegally cut off from a working vehicle, or if you cannot verify where it came from, we will refuse the sale. Please bring a certificate or proof of ownership along with your scrap.
Our Hassle-Free Buying Process: Explained
We know your time is valuable, so we have designed a simple, transparent process to get you in and out of our yard with your money as fast as possible. Here is exactly what happens when you bring your scrap to us:
- 1
Drop-Off or Pickup: You can drive right up to our facility with your materials. If you own a local garage or a commercial wrecking yard and have a massive pile of units that are too heavy to move, give us a call and we will arrange a truck to pick them up for you.
- 2
Serial Number Check: Our team will inspect the outside shell of the unit to find the manufacturer’s identification code. This code tells us exactly how much precious material is hidden inside that specific model.
- 3
Internal Inspection: We look inside the pipes to make sure the internal conditions align with our quality standards.
- 4
Accurate Grading: We match your specific part numbers against the current daily market rates to give you the most accurate price possible.
- 5
Weighing and Final Price: If your items are priced by weight, we use highly accurate, calibrated digital scales so you know you are getting a completely fair deal.
- 6
Instant Payout: Once we agree on the price, we hand over your payout right then and there. There is no waiting around for weeks or dealing with complicated paperwork delays.
And Voila, there's cash in your pocket and a DPF model that is helpful to us; this is a win-win situation.
Why Trust H & Z Scrap Metal Over Others
At H&Z Metals, we combine competitive daily pricing with total operational transparency to give you the best recycling experience. Our state-of-the-art commercial scales are certified and regularly maintained, ensuring you get paid honestly for every single pound of scrap you bring in. Whether you have a truckload of copper piping or industrial manufacturing scrap, we guarantee competitive, real-time market rates and immediate, hassle-free payouts. Choose us for dependable service, accurate grading, and responsible, eco-friendly process with absolute no delay. If you also have an old car to sell for cash, we handle that too with the same transparency and instant payouts.
Areas We Serve
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about catalytic converter and DPF recycling.
Can I keep driving with a broken catalytic converter?
You can drive for a short time, but it is not safe for your car. A blocked converter traps exhaust gas and can destroy your engine. It also creates heavy pollution, which means your car will fail local emissions tests.
How do I know if my catalytic converter is broken?
You will know there is a problem if your Check Engine Light turns on or your car feels very slow when you press the gas pedal. You might also hear a loud rattling noise from under your vehicle or notice a strong rotten egg smell coming out of your exhaust pipe.
How long does it take to repair or replace a catalytic converter?
A standard catalytic converter replacement usually takes between one or two hours for most vehicles. However, if the old part is severely rusted or requires custom welding to fit properly, the service can take up to four hours or more. We always inspect your car first to give you an accurate time estimate before we start working. We value your time, and try to finish the job as timely and efficiently as possible.
Still have questions? Call us on +61 469 906 500 — we're happy to help.
Ready to Turn Your Scrap Into Cash?
Whether you have one catalytic converter or a whole truckload, get in touch today for an instant quote and same-day payout.