Do I need a new exhaust?

Your car’s exhaust works hard to protect everyone from harmful fumes and emissions. It also reduces engine noise, improves performance and increases fuel efficiency.

There are several parts to the exhaust system, linking the box at the back of the car to the engine, including:

• • the manifold
• • catalytic converter
• • sensors
• • silencer
• • exhaust pipe

Every part of the exhaust system must be functioning properly for it work perfectly. A failure in any component can cause the whole system to fail.

Here’s how your car’s exhaust system works. When you’re driving. the exhaust system’s manifold collects harmful gases produced when the engine burns fuel and caries them to the catalytic converter. The catalytic convertor removes any environmental nasties from the fumes, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

The gas is then pushed through a silencer that reduces noise levels, before being pushed out of the tailpipe.

Modern, fuel-injected cars have sophisticated sensors that measure the ratio of oxygen to harmful gases at the tailpipe. This information is fed back to your car’s computer and relayed to you if there’s a problem.

Your exhaust system should last for thousands of miles. Modern car exhausts are typically made from either chrome or stainless steel and should last for the lifetime of the car (unless they’re damaged). High quality, non-stainless-steel exhausts should last for around five years.

Exactly how long your car exhaust lasts is impacted by your driving style, how many miles you drive and your vehicle make and model.

Your car exhaust plays a crucial role in how your car performs and it’s important you ensure it’s working safely. The condition of your exhaust and emissions levels will be checked at your MOT, but learning how to spot the signs can enable you to take early action.

1. Engine noise getting louder: Is your engine noise getting louder? The exhaust silencer reduces the rumbling noises produced by the engine and can deteriorate over time or become damaged. If this happens, engine noise will become louder inside the car, and outside it too. If you’re hearing a rattling sound, your catalytic convertor could be loose or needs to be repaired. Catalytic converters are fragile and can crack or split from driving over obstacles on the road (or off it), including speed bumps, uneven roads and rocky roads.
2. Rust and damage: Your exhaust deals with hot fumes each time you drive and can become rusted or corroded. You can check the exhaust for any wear, tear or damage by looking at it. From the back of the car, you can look underneath the tailpipe and backbox to spot any damage. If you see and rust, cracks or splits, be sure to get it checked out.
3. Filling up more often: A leaky exhaust will affect its ability to transport fumes, leaving your engine to operate at a higher temperature. The hotter the engine, the less efficient it is, and the more fuel it will burn. If you find you’re filling up more often, it could be your car’s exhaust system that’s the problem.

The warning signs of a damaged car exhaust should be obvious, but even experienced drivers can sometimes drive with an exhaust that’s on its way out.

Regular Car Servicing and maintenance can ensure your vehicles exhaust system continues to function perfectly. During an MOT or car service, our trained technicians will check each part of your car exhaust and let you know if they spot anything serious.

A damaged exhaust is an MOT failure, so be sure to get your exhaust checked out and repaired before booking it.

If you think there’s a problem with your exhaust system, but aren’t sure, Halfords can help. We offer all customers a Free Exhaust Check, where our engineering experts will check out the condition of your exhaust and identify and faults and fixes. If work needs doing, we’ll provide a no-obligation quote to put it right.