I sent an email to a CL ad about some OEM cats and got this response:
CL Seller said: I was attempting to see if I could get the catalyst recertified, however I've been unable to do so just yet. As was also made aware from a local resource that they can not be sold unless recertified to meet emissions certification. Sale has been suspended, sorry.
Say what? I've never heard of such a thing. Maybe this is something in California, but not in Wisconsin.
It's true, there are some odd federal EPA laws regarding catalytic converters, and they apply all across the country. It's just, well, the average gearhead pays no attention to them.
I got in trouble with eBay a few years back for listing a used catalytic converter for an Alfa Spider. They took my listing down, citing federal law. I still sold it, just had to do it as scrap with no guarantee whatsoever. Apparently they are not allowed to be resold for anything other than scrap unless they are tested and recertified. I'm guessing the seller in this case is a business and therefore actually has something to lose, as people sell them back and forth privately all the time even though it's technically illegal. I can't speak to actual enforcement, but I can see why a business might get cold feet.
TL;DR: If that catalytic converter ended up on someone's vehicle and then failed its E-test, and the owner pointed their finger at the seller, it could cost them a cool $25k.
You can read all about it here: http://www3.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf
Geeez. It's rules like this that makes people not run them when they go bad. There should be a provision for failing on a used cat without penalty. Like it should be on the vehicle owner instead of the used cat seller (crazy cat lady?!?!? LOL).
That's why you sell an "exhaust system" or for most newer cars, an "exhaust manifold". It just so happens that a catalytic converter is part of it.
In reply to pointofdeparture:
E36 M3. But it seems to be a private seller. Took them off his car to put long tube headers on, and they've been sitting in his garage for seven years.
I think there are some rules about selling used CAT's some salvage yards will ruin them or not allow you to take them.
In reply to RealMiniParker:
Sounds like he is just being overly cautious. It's pretty much analogous to selling an old tank of R-12 refrigerant that's been sitting around for a few decades. Technically you're not supposed to do it, but it still happens all the time with a wink and a handshake.
As long as you agree that you're not going to snitch him out to the EPA if they don't work like new, he doesn't have a whole lot to lose. But maybe he thinks you're part of a crack EPA task force dedicated to busting sellers of used catalytic converters on craigslist, who knows...
RealMiniParker wrote: I sent an email to a CL ad about some OEM cats and got this response:CL Seller said: I was attempting to see if I could get the catalyst recertified, however I've been unable to do so just yet. As was also made aware from a local resource that they can not be sold unless recertified to meet emissions certification. Sale has been suspended, sorry.Say what? I've never heard of such a thing. Maybe this is something in California, but not in Wisconsin.
Selling used cats is against Federal law.
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