How long would you expect an exhaust to last (years or mileage)?

Answer 1

Depends whether they salt the roads in winter like in the UK, I reckon 8 years for a cat and 5 years for original equipment exhaust and 3 years for aftermarket parts, stainless does not rust but tends to crack, split, fracture if used on a everyday car, fine on a low mileage classic or show car but is not that practical for everyday,

Answer 2

A lot of it comes down to how far you drive, the climate you live in, and how will maintained your car is. I have to agree that the newer exhaust systems do last longer. However I have seen a galvanized exhaust and even a stainless exhaust system completely rot out in about 3 years. The reason, they can not with stand rusting inside out. Moisture builds up inside the exhaust system. If you drive short distances (5 miles around trip or lots of short runs less then 15 minutes a piece) the exhaust system never gets a chance to dry out. The water starts to rust the inside of the piping and causing failure. The longer to let the system warm up and dry out the longer the system will last. Galvanization has helped prevent the rust from starting when you live in areas that have a lot of salt (be it from the ocean or winter salt on the roads) but the true enemy is from within. Hope this helps and happy revving

Answer 3

Depends on driving habits/cycles, climate, condition of the engine, and the type of exhaust tubing used. For example, and OEM exhaust on a vehicle near the coast will last 2-5 years of grocery driving, 5-8 years of hiway driving. Desert driving, expect an exhaust system to last upwards of 15, even 20 years. An aftermarket aluminized or stainless will last the lifetime of the vehicle, and then some.

Answer 4

I drive around 50,000 miles per year for work and around 10,000 miles a year private in two different vehicles. I have done this for the last 20 years in the UK. In my experience, an OEM exhaust will last @ 2 years for corrosion or @53,000 miles for internal baffles and wadding. After this, you are on borrowed time.
For an after market replacement, it depends on the manufacturer, but stainless systems can last up to 25years.
At the end of the day, how long are you going to keep the vehicle?
I keep my private car for @ 2 years and my work vehicle for @3 years maximum. I just get a cheap replacement from quickfit, as they are as good as any and cheap.

Answer 5

Stainless steel will last for years and years.

My last exhaust (norma steel) I gave a couple of coats of aluminium paint before putting it on. 15 months later it just looks slightly grubby.

Most normal exhausts will rot from the inside (usually the baffles will go)

Answer 6

Depends on what the exhaust is made of. Saturn makes their exhausts out of stainless steel from the collectors on back!

Answer 7

This depends on driving habits. For example if you take short trips and the car doesn't warm up enough, humidity in the exaust won't have time to dry up, causing the exaust to rust faster.

Answer 8

in uk a cheap one average live 2 may be 3 years?
genuine one should last 4 to 5 depends on where you live

Answer 9

Expect it to out live the vehicle. Exhausts now-a-days are galvanized much better and are almost impervious to rust. Even if it was old times you can expect a well-welded exhaust to outlive the car.

Answer 10

If you live inland, it will outlast the life of the car. If you live near the ocean, where on foggy days can cause corrosion (rust problems on a car), it will never outlast the life of the car.