Out of interest.....

[johnny_t]

My wife has an N-reg Honda Civic and on the underside of the exhaust parts were several metal plates, tack-welded at each end. Over the years one end would break free causing a rattle, and I would 'mend' the rattle by taking the whole plate off.

Now it occurs to me that these plates weren't put there for a laugh, but seem to be too small to do anything useful in the way of heat deflection - Does anyone know what they were for.. ??

 

[johnwr]

I believe they are just heat shields, don't worry except in the summer don't park on long dry grass.
johnwr

 

[AdamW]

Exact thing happened with my Vauxhall. I went to an exhaust place, they yanked the plate off and said "There's another year or two in the exhaust, just don't park on dry grass" and sent me on my way, no charge.

EDIT: oh, it passed the MOT without the shield, so presumably it's not a legal requirement.

 

[empip]

 

[Dellsmp]

Is that your car?

 

[JACKC]

Its my car, and I had to work a week in hand to pay for it.