Exhaust repair & replacement made easy

The exhaust is a component made up out of several parts that channels the exhaust gases from the engine's cylinders into the air. Typically, a full exhaust system will consist out of an exhaust manifold, downpipe, exhaust pipes, an exhaust silencer (or back box) and a catalytic converter. The exhaust parts are held to the car with exhaust mountings (sometimes rubber mountings, whilst the parts are sealed to one another with exhaust gaskets.

The mechanic will come to fix the exhaust pipe requested, and will assess the situation on the vehicle. They will then replace the exhaust pipe and advise on any further repairs needed. The mechanic will then run checks and adjust make adjustments if needed.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend an exhaust repair is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

A broken exhaust pipe may have a problem with the rubber mount holding it up, which would cause the pipe to sag, drag and hit speed bumps hard. There may also be a leakage problem, releasing fumes closer the the vehicle. A leakage issue can usually only be identified with specialist equipment.

The time an exhaust repair will take will depend on the type of repair needed and on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Your exhaust pipe is not a part you would commonly replace but it is susceptible to damage as it fitted underneath the car and is exposed to the elements. If there is any sign of damage then it is important to get it fixed, as it will normally have an effect on the performance of your vehicle.

The exhaust silencer (or exhaust back box) is a part of the exhaust fitted at the end of the exhaust the main exhaust pipe. Its function is to reduce the amount of noise the car makes through its exhaust pipe. The exhaust silencer, like the rest of the exhaust system, is fitted underneath the car and is therefore more prone to wear than most parts, it can easily rust or be damaged. If the part does not function properly anymore the exhaust silencer might need replacing. If you are unsure whether it needs replacing we would always suggest to get a professional mechanic to assess the problem first.

If you suspect there is an issue with your vehicle's exhaust or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic as soon as possible, driving the vehicle may lead to further complications. If emissions control components in the exhaust are affected the vehicle will produce higher emissions, and will very likely fail an emissions test when tested. Knowingly using a vehicle on a public highway that would fail the emissions test is punishable by law (the police can stop you, test this and fine you).

Yes, a bad exhaust can lead to an MOT failure if causes exhaust emissions to exceed the legal limit or if there is a major leak in the system. Especially if the catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter are in a bad condition (or are if these are missing altogether). In many cases of a bad exhaust, however, you will probably only get an advisory note. For example if there's just a small exhaust leak or some corrosion. You will then pass the MOT, but you will need to address the problem at a later date before it becomes a more serious problem.

The cost for a full exhaust replacement can range from £250 to over £600. The cost will depend on your make and mode as well as the parts used. Exhausts on smaller city cars are usually on the cheaper end while bigger family and luxury vehicles are on the upper end of the scale. Fortunately, it is normally not required to replace the entire exhaust on a car. Usually only parts of the exhaust fail, which can then be replaced in sections. For example, if the tailpipe is broken then you can often just replace that part. Sometimes, however, several parts come in one section like a downpipe that's integrated with the catalytic converter.

Yes, a rusty exhaust can be a problem when it comes to your car running efficiently and safely. If the exhaust is rusty it will be susceptible to leaks, which can lead to a number of problems on your car:

• A decrease in fuel efficiency
• Excessive noise from the exhaust
• In certain circumstances emissions may be able to rise into the cabin - posing a health and safety risk for passengers
• Damage that leads to emissions exceeding the legal limit can lead to an MOT failure

An exhaust back box can easily last over 50,000 miles, it will normally depend on a number of factors how long exactly it will last. As the exhaust, being mounted underneath the car, is always exposed to the elements the climate you drive in as well as the type of roads that you drive on can impact how quickly the deteriorates. The exhaust back box can start to corrode in a wet country like the UK. Furthermore the overall condition of the exhaust can also have an impact on how the back box deteriorates. Making sure therefore that the whole exhaust system is in a good condition can help extend the lifespan of the various individual parts.

It's important to get any issues with the exhaust fixed before you drive the car again therefore.

Driving with a broken exhaust pipe can be dangerous, and it is generally recommended that you do not drive the vehicle if the exhaust system is faulty. If the exhaust is hanging off your vehicle then it could pose a risk to other road users, as well as lead to other damage on your car. In fact, if the vehicle is in such condition that it is dangerous and poses a risk of injury to anyone you may be breaking the law (Road Traffic Act 1988). Also, if the exhaust leaks it can in circumstances lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if the exhaust fumes are able to make its way into the cabin.

A blown or blowing exhaust is normally caused by small cracks in parts of the exhaust system. As the exhaust is subjected to extreme heat (and heat changes) over time small cracks and holes can appear. This in turn leads to hissing and blowing noises as well as vibrations from the exhaust. Eventually, this can contribute to further exhaust problems and cause the exhaust to fail.

The cost to fix an exhaust leak can range from under £100 to over £500, depending on the issue and your type of vehicle. An exhaust leak can occur anywhere in the exhaust so to get an exact price the exact part with the issue needs to traced down.

Car exhausts rust because of the combination of moisture and changing temperatures, being exposed to the elements underneath the car. The moisture condenses on the cold metal of the exhaust and causes it to rust. Vehicles in the northern hemisphere and in coastal towns are more prone to rusting due to the extended exposure to salt in the atmosphere.

The average lifespan of a car exhaust is around 5 years. However, this will vary depending on how often you use your car, the type of car you have, and how well you maintain your car. In some cases, it can last for the entire lifetime of a car.

If there is a leak in the exhaust system, it is quite likely to affect mileage. It can also cause further damage to the vehicle, so the best thing to do in case you suspect an exhaust leak is to get it checked by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.

Not only can an exhaust leak cause serious damage to various components of the car, inhaling exhaust fumes (usually odourless) that seep into the cabin can also be detrimental to your health as it contains harmful gases.

Yes, an exhaust leak affects the oxygen sensor readings and hence may trigger the check engine light.