Tag Archives: precious metals cars

Facts About the Precious Metals in Junk Cars

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When it comes to automobile manufacturing, anyone can safely assume that steel, rubber, fiberglass, and other common materials will be incorporated into the design. However, many are unaware that cars can also contain metals that are rare and high in economic value. These are called precious metals, and they make even totaled and junked cars worth something in cash.

In fact, continue reading to learn the need-to-know facts about precious metals in junk cars, and where you can get the highest offer for yours in Kentucky.

Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605
Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605

Automotive Precious Metals

As mentioned, a precious metal is one that is rare, naturally-occurring, and therefore, high in economic value. You are familiar with gold and silver, but there are actually many different precious metals. As for cars, the most commonly used precious metals include platinum, gold, palladium, and sometimes small quantities of silver.  

Platinum and Palladium

In the last 3 decades, any car, truck, or SUV that has been manufactured to run on gasoline will contain platinum. That is because all cars made within the last 30 years have a catalytic converter, which converts toxic fumes and materials produced by burning fuel, into safer emissions. The catalyst of a standard catalytic converter is made from a ceramic material that is lined with platinum. The actual quantity of platinum used in a catalytic converter varies depending on the size, make, and model of the vehicle.

As for palladium, you can sometimes find it in vehicles that have been manufactured very recently. Many automobile manufacturers are replacing the lining of the inner catalytic converter catalyst with a palladium alloy made with rhodium and platinum. So, newer model vehicles might have more palladium than platinum.

Silver and Gold

Any vehicle that contains systems that utilize a computer will likely contain small traces of silver or gold, or both. Automotive computers are manufactured with circuit boards that contain gold or silver plated fingers. Such systems include GPS, DVD players, stereo systems, anti-lock brakes, and more.

Where to Get the Best Deal for a Junk Car in Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 if you want to sell your junk car in Louisville and its surrounding areas. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, we also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! No title? No problem! Contact us today to request a free estimate.

Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605
Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605

Top 2 Precious Metals in Junk Cars

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Precious metals are naturally-occurring elements with high economic value. Common precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, titanium, tungsten, and cobalt. In the junk cars market, precious metals play an important role since they have higher economic value compared to the majority of metals found in cars, like steel and iron. If you have a junk car at your discretion to sell, you may just want to move forward with a deal while metal prices are good. That is because junk cars, although “scrap”, may still contain precious metals.

Continue reading to learn which precious metals are most common in automobiles, and how much you can expect to get for them in terms of a cash payout from a local junk car buyer.

Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605
Louisville Junk Car Buyers 502-804-5605

💿 Platinum

Platinum is one of the most known and obvious precious metals in vehicles because of the catalytic converter. Catalytic converters are mostly comprised of this precious metal, but might also contain various others, such as palladium and, rhodium. Furthermore, catalytic converters retain other valuable metals, like ceramic, or even metal foil and shielding. Like all metal, platinum is priced by weight on the market, and changes depending on various influences, including changes in national and international economics. Right now, platinum is worth around $850 or so, depending on the grade.

But don’t think you are going to get $800 for just this piece alone, and then more for the scrap metal in your car; it doesn’t work that way. The reality is, a standard catalytic converter usually has between 3 and 7 grams of platinum group metals, which means that the average amount of platinum inside ranges between 0.10 and 0.24 ounces. So you can expect your catalytic converter to be worth between $80 and $100 or so.

📀 Gold

Gold is another common metal found in junk cars, especially if they are newer models. Gold-plated fingers in computer circuit boards are the first place scrappers look for gold in a junk car. Computer systems like GPS, airbag units, stereos, cameras, DVD players, and electrical systems, use computer boards that may contain gold; they may even contain silver and other precious metals too!

Right now, gold is worth around $1,300 per ounce. But do not expect to recover hundreds of dollars’ worth of gold in a single junk car; the average amount of gold per vehicle is around a few grams or so. Nonetheless, gold in junk cars still makes junk cars that much more valuable!

Sell a Junk Car Today!

GC’s Junk Cars Louisville Kentucky
GC’s Junk Cars Louisville Kentucky

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 502-804-5605 to sell a junk car in Louisville and its surrounding areas. Not only do we accept all vehicles, regardless of age, make, model, and condition, we also payout the highest returns for junk vehicles in Kentucky. Just accept our offer and we will come pick up your junk car! Contact us today to request a free estimate!