This fell off the Vectra last night - is it important? Pics included

[Innes]

Left work night and was greeted to metal scrapping noise as I pulled away. It sounded like it was coming from the exhaust so pulled up expecting to see it hanging off.

What was hanging off seems to be a heat shield or something to protect the muffler. Underneath where it had been is in good condition (although rust stained). The top part of this heat shield (or what ever it is) is still attached above the muffler. Just the bottom part has fallen off.

Question is:
What is it?
Do I need it?
How much is it gonna cost to replace?

[PORKBALLS29]

Its just the outer skin of the back box mate. The same happened on my old Siggy. it wont affect the car bit will probably shorten the life of the back box.

[bobssignum]

Thinks you will be needing a new exhaust soon

[spennny]

There are a set of dual back boxes on fleabay, currently only at a £10 and have been for a while

No "Y" piece though, but you only need one

[Dazzy2006]

Mine fell off months ago, i think its a vectra thing.

I have my vectra booked in for its mot early november so i'll let you know how it goes

[dh.dti]

It won't make no difference to the MOT, happened on my old dti & the back box was fine for over a year after

[nibblitz]

Give your backbox a good paint with some "Kurust" , it'll keep it good for a long time..

[roswell]

It doesnt affect MOT, Doesnt affect the car just give it a good paint with some rust proofing and your good to keep motoring. its a common vauxhall thing.

[Innes]

Thanks for the advise guys. The exhaust brackets are looking a bit rusty at the moment but the rest of the pipes look really good. Will look for that back box on ebay tonight :-) Do you usually get the brackets with new back boxes?

[mattv6diesel]

wont look so good but you could leave it till it blows it aint a mot item