Can You Drive with a Broken Exhaust?

Because the exhaust is on the underside of the car, it’s going to suffer more damage than most other car parts from bumps and scrapes on uneven roads, going over speed bumps, water damage when the road is wet and also from the constant smoke going through the pipes.

Is driving with a broken exhaust illegal?

The law does not state specifically that driving with a broken exhaust is illegal, however, the law does say that a person is guilty of an offence if they use, cause or permit another to use a vehicle or trailer on a road when it involves a danger of injury to any person. This means that if the exhaust has been compromised, it could be seen as a threat of falling off and as a danger to other road users.

Because the exhaust is underneath your car, you may not even be aware that it’s damaged or requires attention, which is why it’s worth you check it regularly. Failing to maintain your exhaust could result in a number of other issues and risks.

Failing MOT

Any vehicle that has a severely damaged or broken exhaust will automatically fail the MOT test due to emissions and also because of too much noise as there may be issues with the silencer. Either way, if you’ve let your exhaust fall victim to too much wear and tear, you’ll face higher repair fees.

If the exhaust is only partially damaged, you may pass the MOT test but you will likely be given an advisory note that emphasises the work needs to be done sooner, rather than later.

Health issues

Dangerous emissions from your engine are taken away from your vehicle to prevent you and any passengers from getting ill and if your exhaust is damaged, you could be breathing in harmful fumes such as carbon monoxide which can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness.

Higher fuel costs

Issues with your exhaust could see your car’s fuel efficiency be reduced due to the pressure on the exhaust system from toxic fumes not being moved away from the engine.

If you’re having exhaust troubles, it’s best to get it checked sooner rather than later so you can avoid an expensive repair bill. Here at MyCarNeedsA.com, we gather quotes from local mechanics in your area to save you both time and money on your car repairs. Get your quotes!