Do Junk Cars Contain Precious Metal?

Precious metals are naturally occurring elements that form in the Earth’s crust and retain high economic value. So what does this mean? It means that these metals are worth a whole lot of money! In the junk car selling industry, many sellers wonder what makes their vehicle more or less valuable than another, and one answer to this questions may be precious metal content. Cars have various parts and constituents that are made from or contain precious metal. So if you have a junk car that you want to get rid of, you can get more money if it still retains these valuable elements.

Continue reading to learn which precious metals can be found in a car, and where.

Sell Us Your Junk Car Parts! 317-608-2188

Sell Us Your Junk Car Parts!
317-608-2188


Well known precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, tungsten, zirconium, palladium, rhodium, cerium, manganese, and nickel. And many of these same precious metals can be found in a vehicle. It all depends on where you look. There are two main areas of a vehicle that will likely contain precious metal: circuit boards and the catalytic converter.

Circuit Boards

If a car has an engine and an electrical system, it will surely have circuit boards. Modern circuit boards are designed with gold plated contact “fingers” at their edges where their connectors slide on. This gold is highly valuable to a junk car buyer. Onboard computer systems, such as powertrain control modules (PCM) and engine control units (ECU), contain circuit boards that control antilock brakes (ABS), fuel injection, ignition timing, emission controls, transmission shifting, turbocharger boost, and much more.

As of today, the current U.S. market value for GOLD is $1,201.49 per ounce.

Catalytic Converters

All vehicles (with the exception of propane-powered engines or electric cars) contain a catalytic converter, which also happens to be one of the most valuable automotive parts in a car. That is because catalytic converters are made of several precious metals. Platinum is the primary precious metal in catalytic converters, but they may also contain other alloys mentioned earlier, such as palladium, rhodium, cerium, and manganese.

As of today, the current U.S. market value for PLATINUM is $839.50 per ounce.
As of today, the current U.S. market value for PALLADIUM is $1,109 per ounce.
As of today, the current U.S. market value for RHODIUM is $2,500 per ounce.

(METAL PRICES SOURCE: www.infomine.com)

How to Sell Junk Cars and Automotive Parts

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell your old car parts for cash on the spot! We will buy any junk cars and car parts in Central Indiana, regardless of age, make, model, or condition. For those who wish to sell a junk car, we offer free towing with our in-house tow truck, so all you have to do is call and accept our offer! Call 317-608-2188 to request a free estimate, anytime!