CA

California · Walk-in purchase

Verified

California Catalytic Converter Purchase Rules

Who you can buy from, what you must record, hold periods, and the penalty if you get it wrong when walk-in purchase catalytic converters in California. Sourced from the ReMA / ISRI State Metals Theft Law Database.

California · Verdict

DO NOT BUY

Sourced fromReMA / ISRI State Metals Theft Law Database·Verified

California

Transaction prohibited

California Vehicle Code § 10852.5(a) (added by SB 1087, eff. Jan 1, 2023) makes it unlawful to purchase a used catalytic converter except from an enumerated authorized seller. A walk-in individual qualifies ONLY under § 10852.5(a)(6): they must present a certificate of title or registration identifying them as the legal/registered owner of the vehicle, with a VIN that matches the VIN permanently marked on the converter. A walk-in with a loose, unmarked converter and no matching title cannot satisfy that test — so the purchase is prohibited.

Permitted seller types

  • Licensed automobile dismantlers (Veh. Code § 10852.5(a)(1))
  • Core recyclers maintaining a fixed place of business (§ 10852.5(a)(2))
  • Motor vehicle manufacturers, dealers, or lessor-retailers (§ 10852.5(a)(3))
  • Licensed automotive repair dealers (§ 10852.5(a)(4))
  • Other licensed businesses that may reasonably generate or sell used catalytic converters (§ 10852.5(a)(5))
  • An individual holding title/registration as owner of the vehicle, with a VIN that matches the VIN permanently marked on the converter (§ 10852.5(a)(6))

Statute citations

  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code, Div. 8, Ch. 9, Art. 3 § 21600 – § 21610 (Junk Dealers and Recyclers; core-recycler recordkeeping in § 21610)
  • Cal. Vehicle Code § 10852.5 (authorized-seller purchase restriction, added by SB 1087)
  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610 (core-recycler ID, photo, traceable-payment & 2-year recordkeeping requirements, amended by AB 1740)

Recent amendments

  • 2022 AB 1740: Amended Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610: expanded core-recycler recordkeeping (year/make/model + copy of title of source vehicle) (eff. Jan 1, 2023)
  • 2022 SB 1087: Added Vehicle Code § 10852.5: prohibits purchasing a used catalytic converter except from enumerated authorized sellers or an owner whose title VIN matches the VIN marked on the converter; violation is an infraction (eff. Jan 1, 2023)

Source detail

Compliance data sourced from the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA / ISRI) State Metals Theft Law Database →

Last verified . ReMA updates the database periodically. Confirm against current statute before relying on this in compliance decisions.

Common questions

Can you buy a loose catalytic converter from a walk-in seller in California?
DO NOT BUY. California Vehicle Code § 10852.5(a) (added by SB 1087, eff. Jan 1, 2023) makes it unlawful to purchase a used catalytic converter except from an enumerated authorized seller. A walk-in individual qualifies ONLY under § 10852.5(a)(6): they must present a certificate of title or registration identifying them as the legal/registered owner of the vehicle, with a VIN that matches the VIN permanently marked on the converter. A walk-in with a loose, unmarked converter and no matching title cannot satisfy that test — so the purchase is prohibited. (Quick reference, not legal advice — verify against current statute and your state recycler association before relying on this.)
What's the penalty for buying a catalytic converter illegally in California?
Purchasing a used catalytic converter from an unauthorized seller violates Veh. Code § 10852.5 and is an INFRACTION: $1,000 (first offense), $2,000 (second), $4,000 (third or subsequent) (§ 10852.5(c)). Separately, a core recycler who makes a false or fictitious statement in the records required by Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610 is guilty of a misdemeanor (§ 21610(i)), and § 21610(k) carries escalating fines plus possible business-operation suspension. (Quick reference, not legal advice — verify against current statute and your state recycler association before relying on this.)
Who can you legally buy a catalytic converter from in California?
Permitted seller types: Licensed automobile dismantlers (Veh. Code § 10852.5(a)(1)); Core recyclers maintaining a fixed place of business (§ 10852.5(a)(2)); Motor vehicle manufacturers, dealers, or lessor-retailers (§ 10852.5(a)(3)); Licensed automotive repair dealers (§ 10852.5(a)(4)); Other licensed businesses that may reasonably generate or sell used catalytic converters (§ 10852.5(a)(5)); An individual holding title/registration as owner of the vehicle, with a VIN that matches the VIN permanently marked on the converter (§ 10852.5(a)(6)). (Quick reference, not legal advice — verify against current statute and your state recycler association before relying on this.)