The Ford Focus has been on UK roads since the late 1990s with petrol and diesel variants. Across generations, you will typically encounter three exhaust aftertreatment layouts:
Entry petrol engines often carry a single ceramic monolith close to the engine. Performance trims and larger petrol engines may include a close-coupled unit plus an underbody unit. Diesel Focus models, especially later Euro 5-6 cars, use a DPF that traps soot and an oxidation catalyst that assists with NOx and hydrocarbon reduction.
If you’re comparing generations, the pattern is consistent: early Focus petrol models lean toward a single front cat, mid-life updates add efficiency tweaks, and later petrols get more compact, high-cell ceramic or metallic substrates. Diesels move toward integrated DPF systems and tighter emissions control as standards evolve.
Accurate identification speeds up a quote and helps prevent disputes later. Use this simple, repeatable method:
Precision matters because converters that look similar from the outside may carry very different monolith compositions and precious metal loadings. If you’re new to the subject, a quick refresher on the basic device is helpful – see this primer on the function and structure of a catalytic converter for context.
| Focus generation | Typical aftertreatment | Common locations | Identification tips | Indicative value band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early petrol (Mk1) | Single ceramic cat | Close-coupled near manifold | Look for OEM stamp on shell seam | Lower to mid |
| Later petrol (Mk2-Mk3) | Close-coupled + possible underfloor cat | One up front, one under tunnel | Photograph both units; codes may differ | Mid |
| Diesel (multiple generations) | Diesel oxidation catalyst + DPF | Usually underfloor, integrated can | Record DPF part numbers separately | Variable |
| Performance trims | Higher-flow metallic or ceramic matrix | Close to turbo/manifold | Check for heat discolouration near seams | Mid to higher |
These bands are indicative, not a quote. Condition, exact code, and substrate health still make the final call.
Focus catalytic converter values often sit in the middle tier compared with luxury or hybrid cats. Here’s what shifts the needle up or down:
It’s tempting to judge by size alone. In practice, the internal ceramic’s composition matters far more than the can’s dimensions. This is why two Focus units with similar shells can grade differently. For more perspective on the materials and recovery, this explainer on different catalytic converter types helps frame what recyclers look for.
You have three common ways to sell a Focus converter:
Whichever route you take, expect ID checks. UK law requires scrap metal dealers to verify the seller’s identity, such as a photo ID and proof of address, and to keep transaction records for compliance — see GOV.UK: Scrap Metal Dealers – Supplementary Guidance.
Keep your quote moving by preparing:
Wondering what drives the fee paid to you? Our guide explores the material science and market factors that influence the catalytic converter scrap price and why converters are expensive. It explains the link between design, recovery rates, and valuation methods.
We keep the steps simple and transparent. The goal is quick identification, a fair grade, and clear communication. Here’s how it generally works for Focus units.
If you prefer an overview of how end-of-life units are handled and refined, our catalytic converter recycling service page explains the flow from collection to processing and how accurate grading protects value.
Workshops and breakers often have mixed loads: cats, DPFs, alternators, harnesses, and alloy components. If you want a single point of contact for those, see how our Non-ferrous Scrap Metal Recycling service can consolidate your metal streams and reduce admin.
Collection works best when units are safe and easy to handle. A few practical tips:
Whether you have one Focus cat from a DIY exhaust job or a pallet from a busy workshop, reach out with photos and quantity. We’ll confirm the next available collection slot or offer a fast drop-off option if that’s easier for you.
Empty or spoofed units are an unfortunate reality. A few checks can save a wasted trip:
Still unsure? Send close-up photos of the inlet and outlet faces plus a shot through any accessible bung. We’ll advise before collection.
While the mainstream Focus range dominates UK volumes, certain trims and special editions can carry different converter designs. Higher-flow units may look similar externally but use different substrate structures. That is one reason value differs even among Focus converters that share a body shape. For a wider historical context, including why emission systems evolved alongside mass production, you might enjoy this short read on catalytic converter history and the Henry Ford era.
Every recycler grades to their own internal standards, but most pay on the recovered material content of the converter. The Focus sits in a busy middle ground: large enough volume for reference grading, diverse enough in codes and designs to require photos and code checks.
Three practical ways to lift your return:
These issues cause the most delays:
If you handle many units each week, it helps to standardise how staff photograph and label converters. A simple checklist by the loading bay can make a real difference during busy periods.
Yes, but condition varies. Old petrol converters can still carry recoverable material if the honeycomb remains intact, while high-mileage diesel aftertreatment parts may face higher variability due to thermal histories and soot loading. If in doubt, do not scrap them blindly with mixed metal. Let a specialist separate, identify, and grade them so nothing valuable gets lost in the wrong bin.
Cats reduce pollutants using platinum, palladium, and rhodium coated onto a honeycomb substrate. During recycling, this coating is sampled and recovered. The more accurate the ID and sampling, the more accurate the result. That’s why clear codes and intact shells are central to fair grading, rather than guessing based on can size alone. If you want a broader view on why values can feel high compared to the size of the part, this explainer on why catalytic converters are so expensive gives a helpful overview.
Select buyers who provide clear communication, documented grading, and compliance. Ask how they identify codes, whether they photograph units during intake, and how they handle mixed loads. Reliable recyclers will welcome these questions.
If you prefer a single partner for exhaust aftertreatment and other workshop metals, it can simplify logistics and invoicing. Pairing cats with alternators, copper-bearing harnesses, and alloy wheels under one roof saves time on busy days.
When you enquire, include these quick details in your message:
Clear information shortens the path from query to collection to settlement. It also helps avoid rebooking if units turn out to be different from the initial description.
If you landed here searching for catalytic converter buyers, the core of what you need is simple: accurate identification, safe handling, and a recycler that explains their grading. Everything else supports those steps. The Focus range is common enough that good photos and code matches usually get you a quick answer.
The Ford Focus uses a mix of close-coupled petrol cats, underfloor units, and diesel aftertreatment assemblies. Value depends on the internal substrate and precise code, not can size. Send clear photos, keep shells intact, and label stacks. For single units, our catalytic converter recycling overview outlines how we identify and grade. Bulk sellers can streamline mixed loads with Non-ferrous Scrap Metal Recycling support, keeping admin light while maintaining traceability.
Most petrol models have a close-coupled unit near the manifold, with some also having an underfloor converter further down the exhaust. Diesel models use an oxidation catalyst and a DPF under the floor, sometimes in a combined assembly.
Look along the shell seams, flanges, and the inlet or outlet cones. Clean the surface and photograph the code up close. Include whole-unit photos to show context.
Internal differences in the substrate and precious metal coatings determine grading. That is why accurate codes matter more than the can’s size. For background on what drives value, see our note on the factors that make converters expensive.
Bring valid photo ID and proof of address. Dealers will also record transaction details as required by law see the official GOV.UK guidance.
If the vehicle is end-of-life and headed to an ATF, yes, we can often quote from photos taken on the ramp. For separate units already removed, photos of the codes are the fastest route to an accurate quote.