A catalytic converter replacement is not cheap. It costs between £150 and £800 on average in the UK. For some high-end vehicles, it can even cost over £1000!
However, it is important, and you shouldn’t ignore the need for one. Your catalytic converter (or ‘cat’ for short) reduces exhaust emissions. This, in turn, helps to reduce the issue of urban pollution.
Did you know that this contributed to around 1.8 million excess deaths worldwide in 2019, according to a new study?
Just imagine how many more people would die without the use of catalytic converters…
By the end of this article, you will understand:
- Why your catalytic converter costs as much as it does
- What a ‘cat’ does
- What it looks like
- Why every car needs a catalytic converter
- When to book a replacement
A catalytic converter can cost between £150 and £800 for the average UK driver. This is because it contains Platinum, Rhodium or Palladium (three rare precious metals). This value also makes it a lucrative target for thieves who sometimes steal catalytic converters in broad daylight!
These thefts are bad in many ways, especially for the environment. A catalytic converter reduces your exhaust emissions, CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) in particular. This helps to make your car as environmentally friendly as possible.
If you look under the back of your car and you can’t see your ‘cat’, you see a warning light or you notice any of the many warning signs of failure, you must book a replacement as soon as possible.
Fortunately, your ‘cat’ should last between 70,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on your driving style and other external factors. This means you may never have to deal with a repair in your driving life.
How Much Does a Catalytic Converter Cost?
The average UK catalytic converter replacement cost is between £150 and £800. It can even cost over £1,000 for some high-end vehicles! The price of a catalytic converter may seem expensive, but an inefficient part can cost a lot more.
As with many car repairs, the cost does depend on what type of vehicle you drive.
The average replacement cost for three types of vehicles are as follows: