How Much Does It Cost to Repair an Exhaust?
- Repair
- Cost
- Exhaust
FixMyCar discusses how much you can expect to pay for an exhaust repair.
Book an exhaust repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Friday October 11 2024
3 min read
The exhaust system channels harmful gases created during the combustion process out of the engine. It helps your car run smoothly, efficiently, and in a more environmentally-friendly way. You can learn more about how the exhaust works in this guide.
Exhaust problems are easy to identify because they are often very noisy or create a strong smell of fumes. This guide discusses how much you can expect to pay for a repair.
How much does it cost to repair an exhaust?
Exhaust repairs typically cost between £100 and £500. The average price on FixMyCar is £121.48.
The exhaust system is made of several different parts, so the price can vary depending on which one needs repairing and the amount of damage. The job might involve a small spot of welding or a complete replacement.
Other factors that influence the cost include the type of car you drive, the parts recommended by the manufacturer and your location.
Important: The cost of some repairs is difficult to estimate without seeing the vehicle first. If you receive a very low quote price, it may be for an initial diagnostic test to investigate the problem. You can message garages directly on our platform to confirm what’s included in the quoted price.
If you're looking for the average cost of an exhaust replacement instead of a repair, check out this guide.
Price by manufacturer
The table below shows how the average price of an exhaust repair varies between manufacturers.
| Car Make | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Audi | £104.18 |
| BMW | £114.71 |
| Citroen | £109.91 |
| Ford | £130.54 |
| Mercedes | £113.40 |
| MINI | £116.89 |
| Nissan | £114.23 |
| Peugeot | £118.10 |
| Renault | £117.69 |
| Toyota | £115.76 |
| Vauxhall | £127.07 |
| Volkswagen | £129.27 |
| Volvo | £107.42 |
Price by model
Here are the average repair prices for a selection of popular car models.
| Model | Average price |
|---|---|
| Nissan Qashqai | £130.16 |
| Audi A3 | £100.75 |
| BMW 1 Series | £119.15 |
| Kia Sportage | £130.36 |
| Volkswagen Golf | £108.43 |
| Nissan Juke | £119.94 |
Price by location
Average hourly rates are often higher in cities compared to towns and villages with less demand.
| Location | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Rural areas | £100-400 |
| London | £200-600 |
| Other cities and suburbs | £150-500 |
What are the signs of a damaged exhaust?
Often, exhausts need repairing due to a leak. The most common places for leaks are at the exhaust pipe, manifold, or the gasket where the pipe meets the catalytic converter.
Here are the signs to keep an eye out for:
Decreased fuel efficiency
Strong smell of fuel or exhaust fumes
Visible corrosion
Common exhaust pipe issues
The most common exhaust issues are shown below with their symptoms.
| Problem | Cause | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Leaks | Damage or corrosion of parts | Louder engine and hissing noises |
| Muffler issues | Physical damage or rust | Rattling and a louder engine |
| Faulty catalytic converter | Engine misfires, overheating | Rotten egg smell, decreased performance and an illuminated check engine light |
| Malfunctioning oxygen sensor | Wear and tear | Check engine light and poor fuel efficiency |
Why is smoke coming from my exhaust?
If the colour of smoke coming from your exhaust is different than usual, there is a high possibility that there's an issue somewhere in the system. The colour of the smoke will give you a clue about what that issue might be.
White smoke could be a sign of a coolant leak.
Black smoke happens because your car is burning more fuel than it should, suggesting there could be a problem with the fuel injection system.
Blue smoke is usually the result of an oil leak.
Ready to book an exhaust repair? FixMyCar can help you compare trusted local garages based on price, reviews and location.
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