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EXHAUST AND EMISSIONS / QUOTE CHECKER

Check a catalytic converter replacement quote

Converter quotes differ in the part itself, original equipment or aftermarket, in which approval it carries for your state, and in how many units and sensors are included. Enter what the shop wrote and those choices stay visible.

THIS PAGE DOES
  • Checks whether the lines on your written quote add up to its total.
  • Shows whether the quote names the part, its approval, the position and the number of units.
  • Compares two quotes line by line and by scope: part type, sensors, gaskets and diagnosis.
IT DOES NOT
  • Publish a typical price: RepairWorth has no licensed U.S. price data for catalytic converter work yet.
  • Tell you whether the converter has failed, or which converter is legal for your vehicle and state.
Read the guide
SIMPLIFIED DRAWINGNOT A DIAGNOSIS
SHELL / SUBSTRATE / FLANGES

Simplified drawing of an exhaust system with a catalytic converter between two oxygen sensors. Not to scale and not a diagnosis.

Usually named on this kind of quote

  • Catalytic converter
  • Upstream oxygen sensor
  • Downstream oxygen sensor
  • Exhaust pipe and flanges
YOUR WRITTEN NUMBERS

Start with the total.

A

Your quote

Itemized linesAdd only what the quote states
Scope checklistIncluded, excluded or not specified
OPTIONAL DEMONSTRATION

These figures are fictional interface fixtures. Loading one replaces unsaved entries in Quote A.

QUOTE READINGUSER INPUT

Enter a total or line

Nothing is treated as zero until you enter zero.

Known itemized amount
—
Unspecified lines
8
Unexplained difference
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ASK BEFORE APPROVING
  1. What tests, beyond the trouble code, show that the converter itself needs replacing?
  2. Is the vehicle still within its federal or state emissions warranty?
  3. Is the quoted converter original equipment or aftermarket, and which approval does it carry for my state?
  4. Which converter is this, and how many does the vehicle have?
  5. Are the oxygen sensors, gaskets and hardware new or reused?
  6. Is the converter new or used?

Arithmetic and scope notes only. RepairWorth does not rate the shop, diagnose the vehicle or know local market prices.

READ THE WORK BEFORE THE PRICE
01

What the job usually involves.

A catalytic converter is a canister in the exhaust that chemically cleans the engine’s exhaust gases. The engine computer compares the oxygen sensors before and after it to check how well it works; the one before it also helps control the fuel mixture.

Replacement usually means removing the oxygen sensors, unbolting or cutting out the old converter, fitting the new one with new gaskets or clamps, refitting the sensors and checking for exhaust leaks. The computer’s converter self-test may need some normal driving to finish, so the shop may not be able to confirm the result the same day. On some engines the converter is built into the exhaust manifold, which adds labor.

Many shops also look for what damaged the old converter, such as misfires, oil or coolant being burned, or a fuel mixture problem, because the same fault can damage a new one. After a theft, the pipe cut to remove the converter, and sometimes sensors or wiring, may need repair too.

02

What a complete written quote should state.

  • The test results that support replacing the converter.
  • The position and number of converters quoted.
  • Original equipment or aftermarket, direct-fit or universal (welded in), with a part number.
  • The approval the replacement carries for your state.
  • Whether the unit is new or used.
  • Oxygen sensors, gaskets and hardware: new or reused.
  • Labor, shop supplies, disposal fees and tax.
  • The written warranty on parts and labor.

SourcesFederal Trade Commission — Auto Repair Basics (opens an external site)Federal Trade Commission (eCFR) — 16 CFR Part 20 - Guides for the Rebuilt, Reconditioned, and Other Used Automobile Parts Industry (opens an external site)

03

What changes the total.

The part usually matters most: original equipment or aftermarket, and which approval your state requires. A vehicle that must use a CARB-approved or original unit may have fewer choices than one that can use a federal aftermarket unit.

The number of converters, whether the converter is part of the manifold, direct-fit or welded-in installation, rusted fasteners, theft damage and any sensors replaced change the rest. The local labor rate and tax also vary.

04

Published reference points.

This is a published figure with a narrow scope. It is not a price for your car and cannot replace a written quote.

$1,511Catalytic converter repair, from an index of check-engine repairs

Covers: U.S. check-engine repairs in calendar year 2025, more than 39 million vehicles (2026 index).

Does not cover: The 2026 release does not say whether labor is included; check-engine repairs only.

CarMD (via PR Newswire) — CarMD Reports Record Check Engine Repair Costs in 2025 (2026 Vehicle Health Index) (opens an external site)
05

Emissions warranty and approved replacements.

Federal law (42 U.S.C. § 7541) sets the emissions warranty for model year 1995 and newer light-duty vehicles and trucks at 2 years or 24,000 miles in general, and 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever first occurs, for specified major components: only a catalytic converter, an electronic emissions control unit and an onboard emissions diagnostic device. Ask whether your vehicle is still inside that period before paying for a converter; the warranty booklet lists what is covered and its conditions, and a dealer for your vehicle’s make can check coverage.

In California, a CARB fact sheet dated March 6, 2026 lists a 7 years/ 70k miles warranty on high-cost emissions-related parts listed in the owner’s manual, and a 3 years/50k miles defects and performance warranty on emissions-related parts, for California-certified 1990 and newer vehicles.

Replacement rules vary by state. Under an enforcement discretion policy issued September 30, 2004, EPA allows the sale and installation, in areas under federal emission rules, of aftermarket converters approved by California under its procedures for vehicles with onboard diagnostics. For California, CARB says new aftermarket converter models sold or installed on or after January 1, 2009 must be exempted under its new procedures, and that used converters may not be sold for use or installed on a California vehicle after July 10, 2008.

Colorado’s health department says that since January 1, 2021, all sales or installations of aftermarket converters for any model year vehicle in Colorado must comply with Air Quality Control Commission Regulation 20. Maine’s environmental agency says that since June 1, 2018, only CARB-certified aftermarket converters or original equipment can be sold or installed on California-certified (CARB) vehicles of model year 2001 and newer. The emissions label under the hood usually shows whether a vehicle is California-certified. Check your own state’s rules; this page does not cover removing or bypassing emissions equipment.

SourcesUS Congress (govinfo, U.S. Code 2023 ed.) — 42 U.S.C. § 7541 Compliance by vehicles and engines in actual use (warranty) (opens an external site)California Air Resources Board — California Vehicle and Emissions Warranty Periods (fact sheet) (opens an external site)US EPA — Enforcement Discretion for California-approved Aftermarket Catalytic Converters for Vehicles with On-board Diagnostic Systems (opens an external site)California Air Resources Board — New Aftermarket Catalytic Converters - Questions and Answers (PDF) (opens an external site)Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment — Aftermarket catalytic converters (opens an external site)Maine Department of Environmental Protection — Catalytic Converter Standards (opens an external site)

06

When a second opinion is worth it.

  • Replacement is recommended from a trouble code alone, with no written test results.
  • The quote does not name the converter’s approval or part number.
  • The vehicle may still be within its emissions warranty and nobody has checked.
  • Misfires or oil consumption were noted but are not addressed before a new converter is fitted.
  • The quote offers to remove the converter or disable the warning instead of replacing it.

A flashing check-engine light often signals a misfire that can overheat and damage a converter. If you smell burning, see smoke or the engine runs roughly, have it checked promptly rather than driving far to compare quotes.

SCOPE CHECKLIST

What to find in writing.

  • Diagnosis statedThe tests that point to the converter, not a code alone.
  • Position and number of unitsMany engines have more than one converter; name which one.
  • Original equipment or aftermarketWith the maker’s part number or the aftermarket unit’s part number.
  • Approval for your stateFor example an EPA-compliant or CARB-approved unit, as your state requires.
  • New or usedUsed units must be disclosed; some states restrict them.
  • Sensors and gasketsWhether oxygen sensors, gaskets and hardware are new or reused.
  • Emissions warranty checkedWhether the vehicle is still within its emissions warranty period.
  • Written parts-and-labor warrantyLength and what it covers.
BEFORE YOU APPROVE ANY REPAIR

Four checks that apply to every quote.

TAKE THIS TO THE SHOP

Questions for a
catalytic converter replacement quote.

  1. 01
    What tests, beyond the trouble code, show that the converter itself needs replacing?

    A converter code can also be set by misfires, oil burning, an exhaust leak or a sensor problem. Ask what was ruled out.

  2. 02
    Is the vehicle still within its federal or state emissions warranty?

    Federal law gives the catalytic converter a longer emissions warranty than the general period. Checking first can change who pays.

  3. 03
    Is the quoted converter original equipment or aftermarket, and which approval does it carry for my state?

    Some states, including California, Colorado and Maine, restrict which aftermarket converters can be sold or installed.

  4. 04
    Which converter is this, and how many does the vehicle have?

    Engines with more than one converter can need one or several. Two quotes should name the same position and quantity.

  5. 05
    Are the oxygen sensors, gaskets and hardware new or reused?

    Sensors are separate parts. If one quote includes them and the other does not, the totals describe different work.

  6. 06
    Is the converter new or used?

    Federal guides say non-new parts must be clearly disclosed, and California does not allow used converters to be installed on its vehicles.

WORDS ON THE QUOTE

Terms, in plain English.

Catalytic converter
An exhaust component that uses a coated ceramic or metal core to reduce harmful exhaust gases.
CARB
The California Air Resources Board, which approves aftermarket converters; some other states rely on its approvals.
Aftermarket converter
A replacement converter made by a company other than the vehicle maker.
Manifold converter
A converter built into the exhaust manifold, close to the engine.
Emissions warranty
A warranty set by federal law, and by some states, on emission-related parts for a set time or mileage.
Direct-fit converter
A converter shaped to fit where the original was, often bolted in; a universal unit is welded into the cut pipe.
RELATED WORK

Continue the dossier.

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Exhaust and emissionsCheck an oxygen sensor replacement quoteDiagnosticsCheck a car diagnostic quoteDecisionRepair or Replace Your Car?
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LIMITS

What this page cannot tell you.

  • No typical or local price is shown: RepairWorth has no licensed U.S. price data for catalytic converter work yet.
  • The guide is general and not legal advice. It cannot replace a diagnosis, your vehicle manufacturer’s information or your state’s emissions rules.

Content status: Technical review: AI-assisted, against common service practice, 2026-09-22; not reviewed by a certified technician.

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