Serenade 406 (C24): where to look for precious metals and how to extract them with maximum profit

Minibus Nissan Serena 406 (body C24, 2005–2012) has long been the object of close attention of collectors of scrap precious metals. Unlike modern cars, where electronic components are miniaturized and “gold-free,” this model still retains a decent amount gold, silver and palladium - especially in control units, connectors and catalysts. But where exactly to look for them, how much can you get for scrap and how not to run into scammers when handing over? In this article we will analyze accurate data on the content of precious metals in key components of Serena 406, current scrap prices in 2026 and step-by-step dismantling instructions.

It is important to understand: the profitability of disassembly depends not only on the weight of precious metals, but also on their concentration in specific details. For example, fee ECU (Engine Control Unit) can contain up to 0.3 grams of gold, while a regular connector contains only 0.01–0.05 grams. At the same time, prices for scrap fluctuate daily, and collection points often lower estimates, citing the “contamination” of the boards. To avoid selling precious metals for pennies, read on - we collected data from reports from processors, disassembler forums and laboratory tests.

What precious metals are there in Nissan Serena 406 and where to look for them

B Serena 406 precious metals are concentrated in three main categories of parts:

• 🔌 Electronic boards: engine control units (ECU), transmission (TCU), ABS, climate control, audio system. There's more here gold (contact coating) and silver (soldering joints).
• 🚗 Catalytic converters: contain palladium, platinum and rhodium. The Serena 406 uses two catalysts - the main one (under the bottom) and the additional one (in the exhaust manifold).
• ⚡ Sensors and connectors: lambda probes, crankshaft position sensors, wiring harness connectors. Gold is present here in microscopic quantities, but with mass disassembly the amount increases.

The most “golden” knots are ECU And TCU. According to the laboratory Precious Metals Reclaiming Services (PMRS), on board ECU from Serena 406 contains:

• 🪙 Gold: 0.25–0.35 g (depending on year of manufacture).
• 🥈 Silver: 1.2–1.8 g (mostly in solder).
• ♻️ Palladium: up to 0.05 g (in resistors and capacitors).

Catalysts are less predictable: their precious metal content depends on mileage and condition. On average, one Serena 406 catalyst gives:

• 🔥 Palladium: 1.5–2.5 g.
• ⚪ Platinum: 0.3–0.8 g.
• 💎 Rhodium: 0.1–0.3 g.

Table: Content of precious metals in key components Serena 406

Unit/part	Gold (g)	Silver (g)	Palladium (g)	Platinum (g)	Rhodium (g)
ECU (Engine Control Unit)	0.25–0.35	1.2–1.8	0.03–0.05	—	—
TCU (Transmission Control Unit)	0.15–0.20	0.8–1.2	0.02–0.03	—	—
Catalyst (main)	—	—	1.5–2.5	0.3–0.8	0.1–0.3
Lambda probe (oxygen sensor)	0.01–0.03	0.1–0.2	0.05–0.1	0.01–0.02	—
Audio system (head unit)	0.08–0.12	0.5–0.7	—	—	—

The data in the table is average. Actual content may vary ±15% depending on:

• 📅 Year of manufacture: in models 2005–2007 There are more precious metals than in 2010–2012. (manufacturer savings).
• 🔧 Engine Modifications: QR25DE And MR20DE have different versions ECU.
• 🔥 Part states: oxidized contacts or a burnt-out catalyst lose up to 30% of precious metals.

How much can you earn on precious metals from Serena 406 in 2026

Prices for scrap precious metals are highly dependent on stock exchange quotes and the appetite of the collection point. As of June 2026, average purchase prices in Russia and the CIS countries are as follows:

• 🪙 Gold: 5,500–6,200 rub./gram (pure metal without impurities).
• 🥈 Silver: 70–90 rub./gram.
• ♻️ Palladium: 3,800–4,500 rub./gram.
• ⚪ Platinum: 2,200–2,600 rub./gram.
• 💎 Rhodium: 12,000–15,000 rubles/gram (the most expensive, but not enough).

Let's calculate the potential profit from one car Serena 406 provided that you submit:

• 🔧 ECU + TCU + audio system.
• 🚗 Two catalysts.
• ⚡ Four lambda probes.

Detail	Precious metal	Quantity (g)	Price for 1 g (rub.)	Amount (rub.)
ECU + TCU + audio	Gold	0.48	5 800	2 784
	Silver	3.7	80	296
	Palladium	0.08	4 200	336
Catalysts (2 pcs.)	Palladium	4.0	4 200	16 800
	Platinum	1.1	2 400	2 640
	Rhodium	0.4	13 500	5 400
Lambda probes (4 pcs.)	Palladium	0.4	4 200	1 680
	Gold	0.12	5 800	696
TOTAL				RUB 30,632

In practice, revenue will be 20–30% lower due to:

• 📉 Underweight collection points (they use inaccurate scales or subtract “garbage”).
• 🔍 Incomplete extraction (for example, not all contacts on the board are gold plated).
• 💸 Commissions for analysis (some companies charge 5–10% for spectral analysis).

How to properly extract precious metals: step-by-step instructions

To avoid losing some of the precious metals during dismantling, follow this algorithm:

1. Preparing tools:

   Screwdrivers (Phillips, flathead)|Soldering iron (power 60–100 W)|Wire cutters|Hacksaw (for catalysts)|Gloves and a respirator (required!)|Plastic containers for sorting parts-->

2. Removing electronic boards:

   First, remove the negative battery terminal! Then:

   • 🔧 Unscrew ECU (located under the hood, next to the battery, or in the cabin under the dashboard).
   • 🎵 Remove the audio system (you will need a key to unlock the mounts).
   • ⚙️ Extract TCU (in automatic transmissions - under the center console).

   ⚠️ Attention: Do not pull the boards by the wires - this can damage the gold-plated contacts. Use a plastic pick to carefully remove the connectors.

3. Removing Catalysts:

   This is the most time consuming part. You will need:

   • 🔨 Cut off the exhaust pipe before and after the catalyst with a grinder or hacksaw.
   • 🔥 Remove the ceramic block (inside the metal case). To do this you can:
   • Cut the body lengthwise and shake out the honeycomb.
   • Or knock them out with a hammer through a wooden spacer.
   • 🧲 Separate the ceramics from the metal shell (only “clean” honeycombs are taken at reception points).
   What to do if the catalyst burns out?

   Burnt honeycombs lose up to 40% of palladium and platinum due to oxidation. If the ceramics crumbles into powder, you can sift it through a fine sieve and discard the remains. However, the price for such scrap will be 2–3 times lower.

4. Collection of lambda probes and sensors:

   Sensors are located:

   • 🔥 Two lambda probes: one before the catalyst, the second after.
   • 📊 Crankshaft position sensor (on the cylinder block).
   • 🌡️ Coolant temperature sensor (next to the thermostat).

Use a 22mm wrench to unscrew the probes (pre-treat with WD-40 to avoid stripping the threads).

After dismantling:

• 🧹 Clean the parts from dirt and oil (use gasoline or alcohol).
• 📦 Place into separate containers: circuit boards, catalysts, sensors.
• 🔍 Check the integrity of the gold-plated contacts on the boards (if oxidized, they can be cleaned with an eraser).

Top 5 mistakes when handing over precious metals from Serena 406

Even experienced disassemblers lose money due to these mistakes:

1. Delivery of “dirty” parts:

   Reception points underestimate the weight if plastic, rubber or rust remains on the boards. For example, unrefined ECU can “lose weight” by 10–15% when weighed.

   ⚠️ Attention: Some companies offer "free cleaning" - in reality they simply don't pay extra for the weight of the items removed.

2. Sale of catalysts in housing:

   The metal shell weighs 3–5 kg, but precious metals are contained only in the ceramic honeycomb (weight ~1 kg). If you rent it “assembled”, you will be paid for the total weight at a reduced price.

3. Ignoring small details:

   Wiring harness connectors, relays and fuses contain microscopic amounts of gold, but when dismantling 5-10 cars this results in an additional 5-10 thousand rubles.

4. Confidence in “profitable” offers:

   If the collection point offers a price 20-30% above the market, most likely they:

   • Using inaccurate scales.
   • The “analysis fee” is deducted after weighing.
   • They only pay for some of the precious metals (for example, they ignore silver).

Inability to bargain:

Scrap prices are always a subject of discussion. If you brought clean catalyst honeycomb, feel free to ask for +10–15% on the original price.

Where to donate precious metals from Serena 406: overview of reliable collection points

There are hundreds of companies that accept scrap cars in Russia and the CIS countries. But only a few offer fair conditions. Here are the tested options:

Company	Regions of operation	What do they take?	Features	Website/contacts
PMRS (Precious Metals Reclaiming Services)	Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk	Boards, catalysts, sensors	Spectral analysis for free, payment in cash or by card	pmrs.ru
EcoMetalGroup	All Russia (visiting teams)	Catalysts, circuit boards, radio components	They work with legal entities, pickup of large quantities is possible	ecomg.ru
GoldPlatinum	Moscow, region, Kazan	Electronics, catalysts, batteries	They give a 5% discount when delivering over 10 kg of scrap	zolotoplatina.ru
AvtoLomService	Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan	Catalysts, electronic components	They accept scrap from abroad (export documents are required)	autolomservice.com

Before visiting the reception point:

• 📞 Call and check current prices (they change daily).
• 📸 Take photos of the details on the scales at home - this way you can check the fairness of the weighing.
• 📄 Take your passport (many companies work only with individuals).

If there are no reliable locations in your city, consider sending scrap by mail. For example, PMRS And EcoMetalGroup accept parcels with declared value. The main thing is to pack the parts well so that they are not damaged during transportation.

Alternative methods of extracting precious metals: is it worth doing it yourself?

Some collectors try to isolate gold and palladium at home using chemical reagents. Theoretically this is possible, but in practice:

• 🧪 For gold use “aqua regia” (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids). The process takes 2–3 days and requires:
• Protective equipment (respirator, gloves, hood).
• Precision scales (for weighing sediment).
• Experience working with reagents (an error can lead to loss of metal).
• 🔥 For palladium of catalysts, a more complex circuit is needed:
• Crushing ceramics into powder.
• Leaching with acids.
• Electrolysis for metal separation.

⚠️ Attention: Independent extraction of precious metals is dangerous! When working with acids, toxic gases are released (for example, NO₂), and improper waste disposal can lead to fines from environmentalists. In addition, the purity of the resulting metal rarely exceeds 80%, and it will be more difficult to sell it than scrap.

Economic feasibility:

• 💰 Pros:
• You can get metal with a purity of 99.9% (if you have the equipment).
• Losses on commissions at reception points are excluded.
• 💸 Cons:
• Costs for reagents and equipment (from 20 thousand rubles).
• Time (for processing one board ECU takes 5–7 hours).
• Risk of poisoning or burns.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about precious metals in Nissan Serena 406

🔍 How many precious metals are in the Serena 406 battery? Is it worth taking it?

There are no precious metals in a standard lead-acid battery. However, some models with the system Start-Stop are used AGM batteries with silver contacts (up to 0.1 g of silver per battery). It is not advisable to rent it out for this purpose - the proceeds will be only 7-9 rubles.

🚗 Is it possible to sell precious metals from Serena 406 abroad? What documents are needed?

Yes, but it's difficult. To export scrap precious metals outside of Russia, the following is required:

1. Declaration of cargo indicating the composition (requires analysis in an accredited laboratory).
2. Permission from Rosprirodnadzor (if batch weight > 10 kg).
3. Agreement with a foreign buyer (for customs clearance).

Without these documents, the parcel may be confiscated. It’s easier to work through intermediaries who export legally (for example, EcoMetalGroup).

♻️ How can I find out how many precious metals are in my Serena 406 if it is of a different modification?

The content of precious metals depends on:

• Engine type:
• QR25DE (2.5 l) - catalysts are richer in palladium.
• MR20DE (2.0 l) - less precious metals in ECU.
• Options:
• Versions with climate control have an additional control unit (ACU) with 0.1–0.15 g of gold.
• Automatic boxes (RE4F03B) contain TCU with silver.

Accurate data can be obtained:

• On disassembly forums (for example, autolombard.ru).
• In laboratories (spectral analysis costs 1–3 thousand rubles).
• From scrap buyers (some companies analyze batches of 5 kg or more for free).

💰 Why do collection points pay 2 times less for catalysts than the exchange price of palladium?

Because:

1. Metal concentration: the catalyst contains only 0.1–0.3% palladium/platinum by weight.
2. Processing costs: Companies spend money on crushing, chemical treatment and waste disposal.
3. Market markups: collection points purchase scrap at 30–50% of the exchange price in order to then sell the purified metal at a profit.

For example, if the exchange price of palladium is 4,200 rubles/g, then you will be offered 1,200–1,800 rubles/g for scrap.

⚠️ Is it possible to get a fine for dismantling the Serena 406 for precious metals?

Yes, if:

• You are dismantling the car without deregistration to the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate (fine up to 50 thousand rubles under Article 19.22 of the Administrative Code).
• You discharge waste (acids, ceramic dust) into the sewer or onto the ground (fine up to 200 thousand rubles under Article 8.2 of the Administrative Code).
• You are selling scrap without documents (if the batch is more than 10 kg, a declaration is required).

To avoid problems:

• Deregister the car (submit an application to the traffic police or through Public services).
• Handle the crowbar in a well-ventilated area or outdoors.
• Take waste (ceramics, plastic) to specialized recycling points.