Recorded in
2.8% 22% fail
of every MOT test in our data — 3,098,880 records across 1,341 models.
Body & chassis → Exhaust system leaking
The Exhaust system leaking MOT failure is recorded in 2.8% of all MOT tests in the DVSA data — 3,098,880 records across 1,341 models. A typical repair costs £45–£120. This page explains what the item means, how testers write it down, what a repair usually involves and Vauxhall Tigra records it most often for its size.
Advisory only
77%
were noted without failing the car.
Typical cost
£45–£120
Usually a garage job. Estimate, fitted where needed.
What Exhaust system leaking means on an MOT
Exhaust system leaking is an MOT inspection item in the body, chassis, structure section of the manual. The tester records it when they see the condition the description names — here, when exhaust system leaking. An exhaust must be secure and not leak; a serious leak or a system that is too loud fails the car. The failure is reported against that rule, so the page uses the tester's own wording.
How common is Exhaust system leaking on an MOT?
Recorded in 2.8% of every MOT test in our data — 3,098,880 records across 1,341 models. That is 3% in every hundred tests, which puts Exhaust system leaking in the middle of the items testers record.
Of the 3,098,880 records for this item, 22.0% of the records are a fail (Major or Dangerous), 0.5% were put right at the test and recorded as rectified and 77.4% are advisories that did not fail the car.
Other things testers write about this item
Testers do not all write the same thing. These are the exact DVSA strings from the records for this item, each with how many tests it was written on — the page's keyword vocabulary comes straight from them.
- Exhaust system system insecure — 1,256,151 records
- Catalyst emissions emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak — 110,614 records
- Exhaust system silencer insecure — 104,398 records
- Exhaust system noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition — 82,534 records
- Pre 01/07/2008 non turbo emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak — 31,917 records
- Exhaust system fumes entering cabin — 15,374 records
- Exhaust system shield missing where fitted as original equipment creating a risk of fire — 11,947 records
- Exhaust system silencer likely to become detached — 10,168 records
- On or after 01/01/2014 emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak — 7,069 records
- On or after 01/07/2008 emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak — 6,721 records
What does it cost to fix Exhaust system leaking?
A typical repair on this item costs £45–£120 at UK prices, and it is usually a garage job. The bracket is our estimate from reported prices and parts, rather than a DVSA figure — see how it is built on the method page.
How the price brackets are built · full repair cost list · add it to your fail-sheet total.
Models that record Exhaust system leaking most often
As a rate of each model's own tests, Vauxhall Tigra and Hyundai Coupe lead the list: Vauxhall Tigra records it on 18.4% of its tests. The rate, not the volume, is what matters here — a model with 20,000 tests can outrank one with a million.
| # | Model | Rate | Tests | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vauxhall Tigra | 18.4% | 26,978 | — |
| 2 | Hyundai Coupe | 15.7% | 23,404 | — |
| 3 | Volkswagen Fox | 14.9% | 104,121 | — |
| 4 | Volkswagen Lupo | 14.8% | 21,292 | — |
| 5 | Fiat Grande Punto | 14.4% | 25,466 | — |
| 6 | Fiat Punto | 13.4% | 226,310 | 4.8× · year by year → |
| 7 | Chevrolet Captiva | 13.2% | 23,583 | — |
| 8 | Fiat Bravo | 13.2% | 20,488 | — |
| 9 | Chevrolet Aveo | 12.7% | 35,342 | — |
| 10 | Peugeot 206 | 12.5% | 175,269 | 4.5× · year by year → |
| 11 | Vauxhall Vectra | 11.3% | 117,307 | 4.0× · year by year → |
| 12 | Hyundai Getz | 11.2% | 76,810 | — |
| 13 | Hyundai Amica | 11.2% | 22,089 | — |
| 14 | Volkswagen Bora | 10.8% | 20,051 | — |
| 15 | Toyota Celica | 10.4% | 27,501 | — |
| 16 | Nissan Almera | 10.2% | 54,229 | — |
| 17 | Vauxhall Zafira | 10.0% | 764,910 | 3.6× · year by year → |
| 18 | Nissan Pathfinder | 9.7% | 22,325 | 3.5× · year by year → |
| 19 | Ford Ka | 9.6% | 655,754 | 3.4× · year by year → |
| 20 | Vauxhall Meriva | 9.5% | 348,201 | 3.4× · year by year → |
Which years of car record Exhaust system leaking
| Year | Recorded in |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 4.9% |
| 2011 | 4.0% |
| 2012 | 3.5% |
| 2013 | 2.9% |
| 2014 | 2.2% |
| 2015 | 1.6% |
| 2016 | 1.1% |
| 2017 | 0.8% |
| 2018 | 0.5% |
| 2019 | 0.2% |
| 2020 | 0.1% |
| 2021 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 0.0% |
These are rates by year of registration from 2010 to 2023, not year of test, so the curve mostly reflects age — a recent car has barely been to a test station. Compare models at the same age instead.
Frequently asked questions about Exhaust system leaking
How common is Exhaust system leaking on an MOT?
It is recorded in 2.8% of all MOT tests — 3,098,880 records across 1,341 models.
Does Exhaust system leaking fail the MOT or just get an advisory?
22.0% of the records for it are a fail, 0.5% were fixed at the test, 0.0% are minor and 77.4% are advisories. In short, it is an advisory or minor most of the time rather than a fail.
Which cars record Exhaust system leaking most often?
Vauxhall Tigra and Hyundai Coupe head the list, at a rate of each model's own tests — Vauxhall Tigra records it on 18.4%. Only models with at least 20,000 recorded tests are shown.
How much does it cost to fix Exhaust system leaking?
Typically £45–£120 fitted, and it is usually a garage job. That is an estimate from reported prices, not a DVSA figure.
All 83 common MOT failures → Repair cost list → Failed your MOT? What now →