When to replace an exhaust

[Deleted User]

Had a new exhaust (back box and mid section) fitted two and a half years ago which came with a three year guarantee.

It has already corroded pretty badly and is clearly going to fail soon, but the garage has said their guarantee won't kick in until it actually fails. That will probably be shortly outside the guarantee period.

The previous exhaust lasted around 12 years on the car, so I'm a little annoyed that this one has nowhere near that lifetime and will likely fail shortly outside the guarantee period.

As I understand it the sale of goods act covers a reasonable period up to 6 years and a product should be of satisfactory quality.

It was highlighted at the MOT that the exhaust system was corroded (but not blowing) which is why I've become aware of it. I don't think it's fair to wait until the guarantee expires and then have to pay for a new one when it should have lasted a lot longer, in line with a product of proper quality. Any advice would be welcome.

scotsbob

urbankoala wrote: »

It has already corroded pretty badly and is clearly going to fail soon, but the garage has said their guarantee won't kick in until it actually fails. That will probably be shortly outside the guarantee period.

The previous exhaust lasted around 12 years on the car, so I'm a little annoyed that this one has nowhere near that lifetime and will likely fail shortly outside the guarantee period.

Possibly you could speed up the process with some assistance.

colino

If you wanted an exhaust to last as long as the original, you should have bought an original spec one from a dealer or had a stainless steel one made up. Then again it would have cost much, much more than the mild-steel copy you now have.
Three years use (and warranty) is pretty fair for an after market replacement.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Always check OE price, a good aftermarket tail pipe for my Mercedes costs £15 less than the genuine part.

[Deleted User]

I had no idea the exhaust would be a poor quality item, I compared prices before buying and there was nothing to suggest this would be of such poor quality.

The 3 year guarantee was what made me buy as the other places offered what they said was a standard 12 month guarantee.

Ebe_Scrooge

scotsbob wrote: »

Possibly you could speed up the process with some assistance.

That was my thought exactly !

Don't go drilling holes in it, that would be too obvious. But if it's pretty well corroded, some judicious tapping about with a hammer and gentle prodding with a screwdriver should persuade the rust to fall off / break through.

If the rust is not quite bad enough yet, try spraying some salty water on it when it's hot, that should speed things up.

colino

My apologies, the most important part is knowing when to replace. You will hear it if it actually snaps or it begins to blow and then, and only then should you actually fix it. There are too many MOT stations using the advisory section to drum up work. Mild steel bodies, brake, suspension and exhausts all corrode, but it doesn't necessarily mean they need replaced or a patch will not do.

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

I'm afraid after-market exhausts come in many different standards. The six year thing isn't going to apply to a replacement exhaust I'm afraid, unless you bought a stainless steel system which would cost multiples of a basic exhaust system, which is why people don't buy them.

Rest assured that you did get a reasonable one - You'd be on your third one if you bought a cheap 1 year warranty one!

Quiet_Spark

scotsbob wrote: »

Possibly you could speed up the process with some assistance.

Intentional (also known as malicious) damage isn't covered, and if the OP did try to claim on a warranty after intentionally causing the exhaust system to fail then that constitutes the criminal offence commonly known as fraud.


Aside from the possible custodial sentence, the subsequent financial penalties would cover numerous exhaust replacements....so that advice is hardly MSE

[Deleted User]

I had front, middle, and back box sections replaced on a 8 year old 206 which was still on it's original exhaust at a back street garage. They offered 2 year guarantee with it. After 3 years the middle section rotted and started blowing.

Buy cheap parts you end up paying twice.

Nodding_Donkey

Look at the terms of the warranty, a pound to a pinch it will give you a pro-rata amount in the event of a claim i.e. 3yr warranty on an exhaust costing £150 fails after 18 months they will credit you with £75 towards a new one.