If you run a diesel truck, work in a shop, or manage a fleet, you have probably swapped out a diesel particulate filter (DPF) at some point — and you may have scrapped it for next to nothing. That is often a mistake. Many DPFs contain precious metals and are worth real money. Here is what to know before you throw one on the steel pile.
What a DPF is — and why it has value
A diesel particulate filter sits in the exhaust of modern diesel vehicles and traps soot. Many DPFs — particularly OEM units and combined DPF/catalyst assemblies — contain platinum and palladium in the substrate, the same precious metals that give gasoline catalytic converters their value. That metal content is what makes a used DPF worth buying rather than scrapping.
What affects how much a DPF is worth
- OEM vs aftermarket. Factory (OEM) units typically carry higher precious-metal loadings than aftermarket replacements, so they are generally worth more.
- Unit type and vehicle. Different engines and configurations use different filter designs and metal amounts.
- Condition. A whole, intact unit is easier to assess and verify than one that has been cut open or crushed.
- Current metal prices. Platinum and palladium prices move daily with global demand, and that moves DPF value with them.
Because of all this, there is no single fixed price — every unit is valued on its actual metal content, type, and the day’s market. A good buyer quotes from real data, not a flat rate.
Don’t scrap it blind
The most common way value gets lost is selling a DPF as plain scrap steel by weight. A metal-bearing filter is worth far more assessed properly than tossed in a scrap bin. If you are clearing out a shop, a fleet yard, or a single vehicle’s old filter, it is worth a two-minute check first.
How to find out what yours is worth
Converter King buys diesel particulate filters alongside catalytic converters, and pays fair market-value prices by e-transfer. Send us a photo for a fast quote, or use our instant online estimate. For shops, fleets, and recyclers with volume, we offer bulk pricing and pickup — call 780-220-2422, or for road pickup 780-914-3799.
Got a DPF — or a pile of them? Get an instant quote and find out what they’re really worth.