Exhaust service · Autobedrijf Willemsbrug Rotterdam

Exhaust replacement and repair in Rotterdam

Is your exhaust rumbling, droning or rattling? Or can you smell exhaust fumes? We repair or replace the exhaust on every make. Often replacing one section is enough. You hear the price in advance.

4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews | All makes | Price agreed in advance

The short answer

Autobedrijf Willemsbrug repairs and replaces the exhaust on every make, from a rusted-through rear silencer to a broken flexible pipe, catalytic converter or lambda sensor, in our own workshop at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde. We first find where the problem is and replace only what is needed. You hear in advance what it costs. We only carry out extra work if you agree to it.

According to the ANWB, a rear silencer alone costs about € 150 to € 700, depending on make and model. Book an appointment on +31 10 479 00 00 and have your registration number ready. You bring the car in Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am, or on Saturday at 9.00 am.

Jump to: warning signs · parts · replace or repair · frequently asked questions · directions

Do you recognise these signs from your exhaust?

You often notice an exhaust problem from the sound, the smell or the engine warning light. Look out for these signs.

  • A rumbling, droning or louder sound from the exhaust
  • A rattling or ticking sound under the car
  • A smell of exhaust fumes in or around the car
  • Rust, holes or black soot marks on the exhaust
  • Bangs or pops from the exhaust, especially when you lift off the accelerator
  • The engine warning light is on, fuel consumption goes up or the car has failed the APK (MOT) on the exhaust

Can you smell exhaust fumes inside the car? Open the windows and have the car checked as soon as possible. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide.

Why a good exhaust matters

The exhaust carries the gases away from the engine, reduces the noise and makes the exhaust gases cleaner. The catalytic converter does that last job and, on a diesel car, so does the diesel particulate filter (DPF). The lambda sensor measures how much oxygen there is in the exhaust gases. That keeps the engine running cleanly and economically.

Rust, vibration and heat wear the exhaust out over the years. Short trips are especially bad for the silencer. The exhaust does not get warm enough. The condensation in the silencer does not evaporate and the silencer rusts from the inside. A small hole does not only make noise. It can also make the car fail the APK.

We first find where the problem is. Then we explain what is needed and what it costs. We only replace what is worn. Often we can replace one section of the exhaust instead of the whole system.

What we do to your exhaust

  • Check the exhaust and its mountings for rust, holes and leaks
  • Replace the rear or middle silencer
  • Replace the exhaust manifold or the flexible pipe
  • Check and replace the catalytic converter or lambda sensor
  • Check the DPF and read the fault codes on diesel cars
  • Renew exhaust clamps, rubber mountings and gaskets

Extra work is only done with your approval.

You can combine the repair with a service for your car, a major service (in Dutch) or an oil change (in Dutch). With a major service the APK is free, except for Tesla and Polestar.

Parts of your exhaust

An exhaust is made up of several parts. Often not everything needs replacing at the same time. This table shows what each part does and how you notice that it is wearing.

Exhaust parts and signs of wear
Part What it does Signs of wear
Exhaust manifold Collects the gases at the engine Ticking when the engine is cold, exhaust smell under the bonnet
Flexible pipe Absorbs the movement of the engine Droning or rumbling, especially when pulling away
Catalytic converter Makes the exhaust gases cleaner Engine warning light, smell of rotten eggs, rattling
Lambda sensor Measures the oxygen in the exhaust gases Engine warning light, higher fuel consumption
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) Traps soot particles Engine warning light, less power, failing the APK
Middle and rear silencer Reduce the noise Louder sound, rust, holes, rattling
Rubber mountings and clamps Hold the exhaust in place Rattling or ticking under the car

Silencers and pipes

The silencers and the exhaust pipes keep the sound quiet and carry the gases away. Rust and holes often appear here first, usually at the rear silencer. Sometimes only that section needs replacing.

Catalytic converter, lambda sensor and DPF

These parts keep emissions low and the engine economical. Is the catalytic converter or the lambda sensor broken, or is the DPF blocked? Then the engine warning light often comes on and fuel consumption goes up. Sometimes the car then fails the APK. We read the fault codes and then measure for ourselves where the problem comes from.

We work on all makes and models, from Volkswagen, Opel, Ford, Peugeot and Renault to Toyota, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. We use parts that are suitable for your car.

Replace or repair the exhaust?

Often the whole exhaust does not need to come off. If the damage is in one place, for example a rusted-through rear silencer or a leaking flexible pipe, we often replace only that section. Sometimes a leak can be welded, if the metal around it is still strong enough. That saves money.

We look at the whole exhaust and explain what we recommend. You hear the price in advance and we only start once you agree. You get a warranty on our repairs. We tell you which warranty applies when we give you the quote. Call +31 10 479 00 00 for a check or a quote.

More about the exhaust

Here you can read more about noises, how long an exhaust lasts and the DPF on a diesel car.

A rumbling sound under the car

A rumbling or droning sound often points to a leak in the exhaust, a rusted-through silencer or a broken flexible pipe. A rattling sound under the car often comes from a loose rubber mounting or a heat shield. We find the cause and tell you what is going on.

How long an exhaust lasts

How long an exhaust lasts depends mainly on how you drive. According to the ANWB, an exhaust can last ten years if it often gets properly warm. If you make a lot of short trips, it can rust through after four or five years. The condensation does not evaporate and the silencer rusts from the inside. It usually starts at the rear silencer.

Ticking after you switch off the engine

If the exhaust ticks after you switch off the engine, that is usually nothing to worry about. A hot exhaust shrinks as it cools. That makes a soft ticking sound. Does it tick while you are driving, or mainly when the engine is cold and close to the engine? Then it may be a leak at the exhaust manifold. Have that checked.

A DPF warning

A DPF cleans itself by burning off the soot on longer trips at speed. If you mostly drive short distances, that sometimes does not work and a warning light comes on. Follow the advice in the owner’s manual. If the warning stays on, have the car checked. We read the fault codes and tell you what is needed. We do not clean or replace DPFs ourselves. Also read what to do when the engine warning light is on.

All makes and models

We work on the exhaust of every make and model, from Volkswagen, Opel, Ford, Peugeot and Renault to Toyota, BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. You are also welcome with a van or motorhome up to 3,500 kg or with a hybrid car. Our mechanics hold the GMTO certificate (the Dutch qualification for working on high-voltage systems) for hybrid and electric cars. We use parts that suit your car.

Frequently asked questions about the exhaust

Below you will find answers to questions our customers often ask.

When should I have my exhaust replaced?

Have your exhaust repaired or replaced if it has rusted through, has holes or is leaking. An exhaust that sounds clearly louder, a smell of exhaust fumes in the car or failing the APK are also reasons to have it checked. Often the whole exhaust does not need replacing. Not sure? Have us check the exhaust.

How much does it cost to replace an exhaust?

That depends on your car and on which section needs replacing, for example only the rear silencer or the catalytic converter as well. According to the ANWB, a rear silencer alone costs about € 150 to € 700, depending on make and model. That is a guide and not a quote from us. You hear the price in advance and we only start once you agree. You get a warranty on our repairs. We tell you which warranty applies when we give you the quote. Call +31 10 479 00 00 with your registration number for a quote.

Can an exhaust be repaired instead of replaced?

Yes. Often it can. If the damage is in one place, we replace only that section. Sometimes a leak can be welded, if the metal around it is still strong enough. That saves money. We explain what we see and what we recommend.

I can smell exhaust fumes in the car. Is that dangerous?

Yes. Take it seriously. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide. You cannot smell that gas, but it comes with the fumes you can smell. Open the windows, do not set the ventilation to recirculation and have the car checked as soon as possible.

Is the exhaust checked during the APK?

Yes. The inspector checks whether the exhaust leaks and is properly secured, and measures the emissions. We are an RDW-approved APK station. Does your diesel car have a factory-fitted DPF? Then since 1 January 2023 the inspector measures the number of soot particles with a particle counter. If that DPF has been removed, the car fails. Read more about the APK for your car, the APK for your van (up to 3,500 kg) and the APK for your motorhome. Has your car already failed? Then read what to do after a failed APK.

How long does it take to replace a rear silencer?

Replacing a rear silencer usually takes about an hour. The same goes for a middle silencer. Are the bolts and clamps seized with rust, or does more need replacing, such as the flexible pipe or the catalytic converter? Then it takes longer. Book an appointment and you hear in advance how long we need and whether you can wait. You bring the car in Monday to Friday between 8.00 and 8.30 am, or on Saturday at 9.00 am.

How do I know if my catalytic converter is broken?

Often the engine warning light comes on. Sometimes you smell rotten eggs, the car loses power or you hear rattling from the catalytic converter. The same symptoms can also have another cause, for example a lambda sensor. That is why we first read the fault codes with our diagnostic equipment (in Dutch).

Can I still drive to the garage with a broken exhaust?

Yes. A short, calm drive to the garage is usually fine. Do keep the risks in mind. A leak can let exhaust fumes containing carbon monoxide into the car. Can you smell exhaust fumes in the car? Then open the windows and drive straight to the garage. A broken exhaust also makes more noise, and you can get a fine for that. Is a part hanging loose or dragging along the road? Then stop driving and call us. A leaking exhaust can also damage other parts, for example through heat.

Exhaust checks in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde

You will find us at Boterdiep 11 (3077 AW) in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) and exit 24 Rotterdam-Feijenoord on the A16. The A15 is five minutes’ drive away. You can park for free in front of the garage if there is space. The Stadion Feijenoord tram stop (line 3) is nearby.

We are also easy to reach from Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Capelle aan den IJssel, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and Zwijndrecht. We work by appointment. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment.

Plan your route to Boterdiep 11 or see our contact page.

Nederlands? Deze pagina is er ook in het Nederlands.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.00 to 17.30
Saturday: 9.00 to 15.00
Sunday: closed
We are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Want your exhaust checked or repaired?

Call us with your registration number. For a quick question or check you can walk in without an appointment. You will hear the cost in advance and we only start once you agree.

Our score is 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say (in Dutch).

Also see our pages on car diagnostics (in Dutch), the APK, servicing and brake replacement.