Catalytic converter cost · 2026
Catalytic converter cost.
An aftermarket catalytic converter fitted at a UK independent garage typically runs £255–£700 on a mid-size car in 2026. Go genuine manufacturer part and the same job passes £399–£1100. Hybrids cost more — and get stolen more.
2026 fitted prices by car size
Parts plus labour at a typical UK independent garage, Midlands labour rates. London and the South East run higher; the calculator adjusts for your region.
| Car size | Examples | Aftermarket cat | Genuine OE cat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small / Economy | Fiesta, Corsa, 208, Aygo, i10, Yaris | £228–£625 | £350–£965 |
| Medium Hatchback / Saloon | Focus, Golf, Astra, Civic, Octavia, 308 | £255–£700 | £399–£1100 |
| Large Saloon / Estate | Mondeo, Passat, Insignia, Superb, Mazda6 | £282–£775 | £448–£1235 |
| SUV / Crossover | Qashqai, Tiguan, CR-V, Sportage, 3008 | £282–£775 | £448–£1235 |
| Premium / Performance | BMW 3, Audi A4+, Mercedes C+, Volvo XC, Lexus | £327–£900 | £529–£1460 |
| Hybrid | Prius, Yaris Hybrid, Auris, CR-V Hybrid, Niro | £357–£980 | £559–£1540 |
Franchised dealers charge substantially more again — mostly on labour rate rather than part price. Prices are typical ranges, not quotes: the only number that counts is the one your garage puts in writing.
Find out why it failed first
A catalytic converter is usually the victim, not the culprit. Fit a new one without fixing what killed the old one and you will be paying twice:
An engine fault upstream
Misfires, worn spark plugs or a leaking injector dump unburnt fuel into the cat and cook it. Fit a new cat without fixing the cause and you will destroy that one too.
Burning oil
Oil getting past worn valve stem seals or piston rings coats the honeycomb and poisons it permanently. A smoky exhaust before the cat failed is the tell.
Short journeys
A cat needs to reach full operating temperature to burn off deposits. Years of five-minute trips leave it clogged and inefficient long before its natural life is up.
Impact or theft
Speed bumps and kerbs crack the casing; thieves cut it out entirely. Both are sudden rather than gradual, and both are obvious the moment you start the engine.
Was yours stolen? Call the insurer before the garage
Catalytic converter theft is normally covered under comprehensive insurance. Get a police crime reference number first, then speak to your insurer before authorising any work — authorising it yourself can complicate the claim. You will still pay your excess, and it may affect your no-claims, so on an older car with a low aftermarket part price it is worth comparing the claim against simply paying. A Catloc-style cage afterwards runs roughly £250–£400 fitted (about £150 of that is the kit).
What will it cost near you?
£230–£980 is the UK average. See what your local garages charge.
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Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost UK: Prices, Theft Prevention and MOT Rules
If you've just been told your catalytic converter needs replacing, you're probably bracing yourself. And if you've walked out to your car to find it sounding like a tractor because someone sawed the cat off overnight, you're dealing with something even worse.
Either way, catalytic converter replacement in the UK is expensive. The precious metals inside — platinum, palladium and rhodium — are exactly why these parts cost so much, and exactly why thieves target them. Depending on your vehicle, you're looking at anything from £300 to well over £1,500 for a replacement.
This guide covers what you should realistically expect to pay, how to protect yourself from theft, and what the MOT rules say about catalytic converters.
How Much Does a Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost?
The cost swings wildly depending on three things: your car, whether you go OEM or aftermarket, and where you live. London and the South East tend to charge more for labour, but the biggest factor is always the part itself.
Average Replacement Costs by Car Type
| Car Type | Aftermarket Cat | OEM Cat | Total (inc. labour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small car (Fiesta, Corsa, Polo) | £150–£300 | £350–£600 | £300–£750 |
| Medium car (Focus, Golf, Astra) | £200–£400 | £400–£800 | £350–£950 |
| Hybrid (Toyota Prius, Lexus CT) | £300–£500 | £600–£1,200 | £500–£1,400 |
| SUV (Qashqai, Tucson, RAV4) | £250–£450 | £500–£900 | £400–£1,100 |
| Premium (BMW 3 Series, Audi A4) | £300–£500 | £600–£1,200 | £450–£1,500+ |
Labour typically runs between £100 and £250, depending on how accessible the cat is. Some cars have it bolted directly to the exhaust manifold, making the job quicker. Others require more dismantling.
OEM vs Aftermarket: Does It Matter?
An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) catalytic converter is the same part the car left the factory with. An aftermarket one is made by a third-party manufacturer to fit your vehicle.
OEM cats are more expensive — often two to three times the price — but they're built to the exact specification of your car. They tend to last longer and are more likely to pass emissions testing comfortably.
Aftermarket cats are significantly cheaper and perfectly legal, provided they're type-approved (look for an e-mark). Most reputable garages fit aftermarket units without issue. However, some cheaper aftermarket cats can struggle with emissions on certain vehicles, particularly hybrids where the cat runs at lower temperatures.
If you're keeping the car long-term, an OEM part is usually worth the extra money. If you're selling soon or the car's value doesn't justify the outlay, a quality aftermarket cat is a sensible choice.
Catalytic Converter Theft: The UK Epidemic
Catalytic converter theft has exploded across the UK in recent years. Thieves can remove a cat in under two minutes with a battery-powered saw, and the scrap value of the precious metals inside can be anywhere from £100 to £500 — sometimes more for hybrid vehicles.
Which Cars Are Targeted Most?
Certain cars are disproportionately targeted because their catalytic converters contain higher concentrations of precious metals or are easier to access:
- Toyota Prius — the most stolen cat in the UK by a wide margin. Hybrid cats contain more precious metals because the engine runs less, so the cat needs to work harder when it does.
- Honda Jazz — high ground clearance and a valuable cat make it a favourite.
- Lexus RX and CT hybrids — same hybrid premium as the Prius.
- Toyota Auris and Yaris hybrids — any Toyota hybrid is at elevated risk.
- Nissan Qashqai — the SUV ride height gives thieves easy access underneath.
If you drive any of these, you're statistically more at risk. But any car with a catalytic converter can be targeted.
How to Protect Your Catalytic Converter
You can't make your car completely theft-proof, but you can make it harder and less appealing:
- Fit a Catloc or similar cat clamp — these are steel cages that bolt around the catalytic converter. They won't stop a determined thief, but they add enough time and noise to deter most. Fitting costs around £150–£300 depending on the device and vehicle.
- Park in well-lit areas — thieves prefer dark, quiet spots. A driveway with a motion-sensor light is far less attractive than a dark side street.
- CCTV and dashcams with parking mode — visible cameras act as a deterrent, and footage helps with insurance claims.
- Garage your car if possible — the obvious one, but not everyone has the option.
- Cat marking kits — some police forces offer free catalytic converter marking, which etches your registration number onto the part. It makes the cat harder to sell and easier to trace.
MOT Rules for Catalytic Converters
The rules here are straightforward and strictly enforced.
If your car was originally fitted with a catalytic converter, it must still have one when it goes for its MOT. Removing it is illegal under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
During the MOT, the tester will:
- Visually check that the catalytic converter is present and in reasonable condition.
- Run an emissions test — without a functioning cat, your car will almost certainly fail on emissions. The cat is responsible for converting harmful gases (carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides) into less harmful outputs.
A missing or gutted catalytic converter is an automatic MOT failure. There's no grey area. Even if someone has welded a straight pipe in its place, the emissions test will catch it.
You can check your car's MOT status and history to see if it has previously failed on emissions or exhaust-related issues.
Signs Your Catalytic Converter Is Failing
Cats don't always fail suddenly. Here are the warning signs to watch for:
- Rotten egg smell from the exhaust — this is unburnt sulphur passing through a failing cat. It's the most recognisable symptom.
- Engine warning light (check engine light) — the oxygen sensors downstream of the cat will flag an error code if the cat isn't doing its job properly.
- Failed emissions at MOT — sometimes the first sign of trouble is a marginal or failed emissions reading.
- Rattling noise from underneath — the ceramic honeycomb inside the cat can break apart over time. If you hear a metallic rattle from underneath the car, particularly on startup, the cat's internals may have collapsed.
- Reduced engine performance — a blocked or partially collapsed cat restricts exhaust flow, which can cause sluggish acceleration and poor fuel economy. If you're noticing any of these, it's worth getting it looked at before your next MOT. A failing cat won't fix itself, and driving on one that's collapsing internally can cause further damage to the engine.
Can You Drive Without a Catalytic Converter?
Technically, yes — the car will run. In fact, it'll probably sound louder and may even feel slightly more responsive because there's less exhaust restriction.
But it is illegal to drive on a public road without a catalytic converter if one was originally fitted. You're committing an offence, and if stopped by police, you can be fined. More practically, you will fail your MOT — both visually and on emissions.
If your cat has been stolen, you'll need to get it replaced before driving the car again. Some insurers will cover a courtesy car or arrange recovery, so check your policy before paying for a taxi to the garage.
Insurance Claims for Catalytic Converter Theft
Most comprehensive car insurance policies cover catalytic converter theft. Here's what to expect:
- Report it to the police first — you'll need a crime reference number for your insurer.
- Contact your insurer quickly — most require notification within 24 to 48 hours.
- Expect to pay your excess — this is typically £100 to £500 depending on your policy.
- Watch your premium — a theft claim may increase your renewal premium, so it's worth doing the maths. If your excess is £350 and the replacement costs £400, claiming for a £50 net gain while risking a premium hike may not be worth it.
- Check for a specialist policy — some insurers now offer specific catalytic converter theft cover as an add-on, particularly for high-risk vehicles like the Prius.
If you've been a victim, fitting a Catloc or similar protection before the replacement goes on is strongly recommended. Thieves frequently return to the same car, knowing a brand-new cat has been fitted.
Get It Sorted
Whether you're dealing with a failing cat or picking up the pieces after a theft, the key is getting reliable quotes from trustworthy garages. Prices for the same job can vary by hundreds of pounds, so it pays to compare.
Use our find a garage tool to get quotes from vetted local garages, or check your MOT status to see if your car has any existing emissions advisories that might point to cat trouble.
A catalytic converter replacement isn't cheap, but going in informed means you're far less likely to overpay.
Good question
Questions Okay gets asked a lot
How much does a catalytic converter cost in the UK?
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For most cars, an aftermarket catalytic converter fitted at a UK independent garage costs roughly £230–£700 in 2026 — small cars at the lower end, premium and SUV models above it. A genuine manufacturer part takes the same job to around £350–£1,100, and hybrids cost more again because their converters carry more precious metal. The part itself is the bulk of the bill — labour is usually only one and a half to two and a half hours. Use the table above for a figure by car size.
Why are catalytic converters so expensive?
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Because of what is inside them. A catalytic converter contains platinum, palladium and rhodium — precious metals that do the actual chemistry of cleaning the exhaust gases. Rhodium in particular has traded at extraordinary prices in recent years, and there is no cheaper substitute that still meets emissions law. That metal content is also exactly why cats are stolen: a thief can cut one out in a couple of minutes and sell it for scrap value that runs into the hundreds.
Can I use an aftermarket catalytic converter?
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Yes, and most people should — but on any car registered on or after 1 March 2001 it must be type-approved. That is the law on what a supplier may sell you, not something the MOT checks: the test measures what comes out of the tailpipe, so a cheap unapproved cat can pass on the day and still have been illegally supplied. The reason to insist on an approved part is durability — a cheap universal cat carries far less precious metal, degrades quickly, and costs you the job twice. Ask your garage to confirm the part carries an EC type approval marking for your registration before it goes on.
Will a failed catalytic converter fail the MOT?
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Yes, usually twice over. On any car first used on or after 1 September 2002, a missing catalytic converter is a Major defect in its own right under MOT manual item 8.2.1.1 — manufacturer-fitted emission control equipment that is missing, obviously modified or obviously defective. A failed or degraded one will usually also push the emissions readings past the limit, which is a separate failure, and a rattling cat with the honeycomb broken up counts as obviously defective under the same item. On older cars that missing-cat rule does not apply on its own, but the emissions test almost always catches it anyway.
My catalytic converter was stolen — what should I do?
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Report it to the police for a crime reference number, then call your insurer before authorising any work. Cat theft is normally covered under comprehensive cover, though you will pay your excess and it may affect your no-claims. Do not drive the car — it will be extremely loud, will fail an emissions test, and running without a cat can damage sensors. Once repaired, a Catloc-style cage costs roughly £250–£400 fitted — the kit alone is about £150, so most of the difference is labour — and makes the next attempt slower and much noisier.
Which cars have catalytic converters stolen most?
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Hybrids and older high-riding cars are the usual targets. Hybrid converters contain more precious metal because they run cooler and need a richer coating, which makes them worth more as scrap. Cars with plenty of ground clearance are simply easier and faster to get under. Age matters too: older cats often used heavier metal loadings than modern ones. Parking off-street or under lighting, and fitting a marked cage, are the practical deterrents.
Can a catalytic converter be repaired instead of replaced?
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Rarely. The ceramic honeycomb inside either works or it does not — once it is contaminated, melted or physically broken up, there is no repairing it. Cleaning additives poured into the fuel tank can help a cat that is merely coated in deposits from short-journey running, and they are cheap enough to be worth one attempt, but they will not rescue a cat that has failed structurally. If your garage finds the honeycomb rattling loose, replacement is the only route.
How much does a catalytic converter cost to replace in the UK?
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Replacement costs £300 to £1,500 or more in 2026, depending on your car. A small petrol cat might be £300–£750 fitted, a medium car £350–£950, and a hybrid such as a Prius £500–£1,400. Premium models can exceed £1,500. Labour is typically £100–£250 depending on how accessible the cat is — some bolt straight to the manifold, others need more dismantling. The precious metals inside (platinum, palladium, rhodium) are why the part is so expensive.
Can I fit an aftermarket catalytic converter to save money?
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Yes, and an aftermarket cat is usually far cheaper than a genuine OEM part. The critical condition is that it must be type-approved to the correct emissions standard for your specific car — an EU-approved cat carrying the right stamp. A cheap universal cat that does not meet your car's standard will fail the MOT and may trigger an engine warning light, so always confirm compatibility before buying.
Will a faulty catalytic converter fail the MOT?
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Yes. The MOT checks that the catalytic converter is present and that emissions are within the limits for your car. A failing or missing cat will push CO and hydrocarbons over the limit and fail the test. A persistent engine management light related to the cat or its sensors is also a failure. If your car has been targeted by cat thieves, it cannot legally be driven for an MOT until replaced.
Why are catalytic converters stolen so often?
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Thieves can cut a cat off in under two minutes with a battery saw, and the scrap value of the platinum, palladium and rhodium inside can be £100–£500, sometimes more on hybrids. Hybrids are targeted most because their cats contain more precious metal. Fitting a Catloc cage (around £150–£300) or parking with the exhaust against a wall makes theft slower and noisier, which deters most opportunists.
Should I claim on insurance for a stolen catalytic converter?
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It depends on the maths. A replacement cat plus fitting might be £400, while your insurance excess is often £100–£500, and a theft claim can push up your renewal premium. If the excess is close to the repair cost, paying out of pocket may be cheaper overall once the premium hike is factored in. Get a replacement quote first, then compare it against your excess before deciding.
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