Driving without back box

maurice28

The back box fell off my wife's 2009 Astra on the way into work this morning. Luckily, another motorist was passing and helped remove it so it's now in the boot! Car is a little noisier as expected but is otherwise still running.

The car is actually due in for a service and MOT on Friday, so it's probably good timing. But for the next couple of days my wife still needs it to drive to work (10 miles each way). Just wanted to check, is it OK to use it for this without the back box (knowing it will be noisier than usual!)?

Herzlos

The car will probably be fine if nothing else is loose.

You may have to deal with an unhappy cop, but if you've got proof that it's booked in to get repaired in a couple of days you should be fine.

Remember to let the garage know in advance so they can order a new box in to fit on Friday.

maurice28

Great, thank you! And yes, garage already informed so they can hopefully sort it. Thanks again!

chrisw

It just fell off a few moments ago, Officer.

Ditzy_Mitzy

It will be fine, if noisy.  Years ago I had an exhaust pipe snap whilst using an automatic car wash, somewhere between the middle section and the final silencer.  I drove the car around in that state for a week or so whilst waiting for a slot at the garage - they welded it back together if memory serves.

Anyway, all was fine except the car was slightly noisier.  If the pipe has broken underneath, you may get exhaust entering the cabin whilst stationary or reversing as the gases won't be properly blown clear.  That may or may not bother you or your wife; I'd open the window!  

EssexExile

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

It will be fine, if noisy.  Years ago I had an exhaust pipe snap whilst using an automatic car wash, somewhere between the middle section and the final silencer.  I drove the car around in that state for a week or so whilst waiting for a slot at the garage - they welded it back together if memory serves.

Anyway, all was fine except the car was slightly noisier.  If the pipe has broken underneath, you may get exhaust entering the cabin whilst stationary or reversing as the gases won't be properly blown clear.  That may or may not bother you or your wife; I'd open the window!  

Whereas my mate Simon only drove half a mile and got a ticket, and I spent Sunday morning fitting a new exhaust at the roadside.