The most expensive component in a car's exhaust system is the three-way catalytic converter, which contains rare precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The market value of these metals far exceeds that of gold, especially rhodium, whose price can be several times that of gold. The recycling value of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) three-way catalytic converters typically ranges from thousands to tens of thousands of Malaysian ringgit, depending on the vehicle class; components for luxury cars or large commercial vehicles command higher prices. If replaced with inferior aftermarket parts, it can lead to issues such as excessive exhaust emissions and failure to pass annual inspections. From a technical standpoint, the ceramic substrate coating process of three-way catalytic converters is complex, and the precious metal composition directly impacts purification efficiency, which is also the primary reason for their high cost.
