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Launching in Surrey

Exhaust and emissions quotes

The exhaust carries gases away from the engine and cleans them on the way, through the catalytic converter and, on modern diesel cars, usually a diesel particulate filter (DPF). Some diesels also use AdBlue to cut emissions. Emissions faults matter at the MOT and on the roads into London.
Post your exhaust job

Post the job free with your registration and postcode. Garages on Matchanic can see it and choose whether to quote, and you only go ahead if you accept one. Matchanic is new and launching in Surrey, so there may be few or no garages on Matchanic near the car yet.

Signs your car may need this

  • A louder exhaust, or a blowing or ticking noise from underneath.
  • A rattle from under the car.
  • The DPF warning light.
  • An AdBlue warning. Some cars warn that they won’t restart once the AdBlue runs out.
  • Smoke from the exhaust.
  • A smell of exhaust fumes inside the car: get that checked promptly.
  • The engine management light, or a loss of power.

Jobs you can ask garages to quote for

The jobs you can choose for this when you post. Pick the one that fits, or the closest, and add the detail under ‘Anything else’.

  • Full exhaust replacement
  • Exhaust back box replacement
  • Exhaust centre section replacement
  • Exhaust front pipe replacement
  • Catalytic converter replacement
  • DPF cleaning
  • DPF replacement
  • Forced DPF regeneration
  • DPF pressure sensor replacement
  • Exhaust manifold replacement
  • Exhaust leak repair
  • Exhaust flexi pipe repair
  • Lambda (oxygen) sensor replacement
  • AdBlue system repair
  • Emissions test

What affects the price

Each garage sets its own price. These are the things that usually make the difference.

  • Which section needs replacing: the back box, centre section, front pipe, flexi pipe, or the whole system.
  • Whether a DPF can be cleaned or regenerated, or has to be replaced.
  • Whether the fault is a sensor or the AdBlue system rather than the exhaust itself.
  • Corroded or seized fixings, which add labour.
  • Parts from the car’s maker or from other brands.

DPF, smoke and ULEZ rules

  • Since February 2014 the MOT has checked that a DPF is fitted if the car was built with one. A missing DPF fails the test.
  • Since 20 May 2018, a diesel with a DPF gets a major fault, which fails the MOT, if the tester can see smoke of any colour from the exhaust or finds evidence the DPF has been tampered with.
  • Using a car modified so it no longer meets its emissions standard, for example with the DPF taken out, can mean a fine of up to £1,000.

Driving into London

The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) covers all London boroughs, but not the M25, 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day. A car that doesn’t meet its standards is charged £12.50 a day. Check your car with TfL’s vehicle checker. Several Surrey areas border London: see Matchanic in Surrey.

Sources

Checked against GOV.UK and TfL in September 2026.

What to tell the garage

Say what you hear and where it seems to come from, and which warning lights or messages are showing. For a DPF fault, say what kind of driving the car mostly does, such as short trips or long runs: it helps a garage understand the problem.

If the car failed its MOT on emissions or the exhaust, copy the wording from the result.

Questions about exhausts and emissions

  • What does the DPF warning light mean?

    Usually that the filter is filling with soot faster than the car is clearing it. Your handbook says what to do when it comes on. If it stays on, ‘DPF cleaning’, ‘Forced DPF regeneration’ or the DPF warning light job under Diagnostics asks a garage to deal with it.

  • Can I have the DPF removed?

    Not on a car you use on the road. GOV.UK says removing one will almost always make the car illegal to use, a missing DPF fails the MOT, and using a car modified so it no longer meets its emissions standard can mean a fine of up to £1,000.

  • Does my car meet the ULEZ standards?

    Put its registration into TfL’s vehicle checker. We don’t say which cars meet the standards, because it depends on the individual car.

  • What is AdBlue?

    A fluid some diesel cars use to cut nitrogen oxide emissions, kept in its own tank and topped up separately from the fuel. ‘AdBlue top-up or system check’ is under Car servicing; if a top-up doesn’t clear the warning, ‘AdBlue system repair’ is on this list.

Related jobs

Start with your registration

Posting a job is free, and you don’t have to accept a quote.

Post your exhaust job

Matchanic is launching in Surrey. How Matchanic works · Matchanic in Surrey