Renault Clio gets new Back Box

Noisy Exhausts and Falling Back Boxes – A Common Sight on Renault Clios Around Halifax

The next job through the doors at Pellon Tyres was a Renault Clio with a very noisy exhaust system. The customer didn’t need telling there was a problem — you could hear the car long before it pulled onto the forecourt.

Once up on the ramp, the cause was obvious. The rear exhaust box (back box) had completely rotted through and was hanging off, only just holding on. It’s a fault we see week in, week out, especially at this time of year.

What surprises many people is why exhausts rot so badly—and it’s not just down to rain and road salt.

The Renault Clio – A Familiar Face on UK Roads: Renault Clio gets new Back Box

The Renault Clio has been one of the UK’s best-selling small cars since it first arrived in the early 1990s. Cheap to buy, economical to run, and easy to drive, it’s been a favourite with first-time drivers, commuters, and families alike.

Around Halifax and Calderdale, we see Clios used mostly for:

Short local journeys
School runs
Town driving
Stop-start traffic

They’re great little cars, but that kind of driving can be tough on exhaust systems — especially as the car gets older.

Why Exhausts Rot From the Inside Out: Renault Clio gets new Back Box

Most people assume exhausts rust away from the outside because of:

Rain
Road salt
Mud and grit

And while that’s part of it, the real killer is what happens inside the exhaust.

When an engine runs, it produces gases that include water vapour and acidic compounds. On longer runs, the exhaust gets hot enough to burn this moisture off. But on short journeys — exactly the sort many cars do around town — the exhaust never fully heats up.

That moisture then:

Condenses inside the exhaust
Mixes with acidic gases
Sits inside the silencer

Over time, that acidic moisture eats away at the metal from the inside, where you can’t see it.

So while the outside might look reasonable, the inside can be paper-thin.

Short Journeys Make It Worse: Renault Clio gets new Back Box

This is why cars like the Renault Clio are especially prone to exhaust problems. Lots of short trips mean:

Exhaust never dries out
Moisture builds up
Corrosion accelerates

Add in winter driving, cold starts, and damp Calderdale weather, and it’s no wonder exhausts fail when they do.

Why the Back Box Is Usually First to Go

The back box is the lowest and coldest part of the exhaust system. Moisture collects there more than anywhere else, and it takes longest to heat up.

That makes it the first part to:

Rust through
Develop holes
Become noisy
Eventually break away

Once the metal weakens, the weight of the exhaust and constant vibration can cause it to crack around the seams or mounting points — which is exactly what happened on this Clio.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Exhaust problems rarely happen overnight. Common signs include:

A louder exhaust note
Rattling or knocking from underneath
A blowing or chuffing sound
Exhaust hanging lower than usual

If left too long, the box can:

Drop down
Drag on the road
Or in worst cases, detach completely

That’s not just noisy — it can be dangerous.

MOT Failures and Safety Concerns

A rotten or insecure exhaust is an instant MOT failure. Exhaust gases must be contained and safely directed away from the vehicle. Holes or leaks can allow fumes to enter the cabin, which is a serious safety issue.

Around Halifax’s hills and stop-start traffic, an exhaust that’s already weakened can fail quickly once it starts knocking or moving.

Local Conditions Don’t Help: Renault Clio gets new Back Box

Let’s be honest — Calderdale roads aren’t kind to cars:

Wet weather
Grit and salt in winter
Steep hills
Speed bumps and rough surfaces

All of these add stress to exhaust systems, especially older ones.

Sensible Repairs, Honest Advice

At Pellon Tyres, we see exhaust problems like this every day. Our approach is simple:

We inspect the full system
Explain what’s failed and why
Show the customer the damage
Offer sensible repair options

Sometimes it’s just a back box. Other times, corrosion has spread further forward. Either way, we give honest advice — no scare stories.

Final Thoughts

A noisy exhaust on a Renault Clio is rarely a surprise — but it is something that shouldn’t be ignored. Exhausts rot from the inside as much as the outside, and short journeys combined with Yorkshire weather speed the process up.

If your car’s starting to sound louder than it used to, or something doesn’t feel right underneath, it’s always worth getting it checked sooner rather than later. Catching it early can save money and prevent bigger problems down the line.

Pop into Pellon Tyres and we’ll take a proper look — straightforward advice, no fuss, and no pressure.

Peugeot-107-Exhaust-Halifax

Peugeot 107 Back to Its Quiet Best at Pellon Tyres, Halifax

Every day at Pellon Tyres in Halifax brings a surprise or two through the doors, and yesterday was no different. A bright red Peugeot 107 pulled up, catching everyone’s eye straight away. The car looked cheerful enough, but the moment the engine started, it was clear something wasn’t right. You could hear it before you saw it — a proper loud rumble echoing across the forecourt!

The lady who owned the car said it had been getting noisier over the past few weeks, to the point where she could barely hear the radio on her morning run into town. She’d popped in after one of her friends suggested bringing it to us — “The lads at Pellon will soon sort it,” she’d told her.

Sure enough, once Dale got it up on the ramp, it didn’t take him long to spot the culprit. The poor little 107 had a badly blowing exhaust system, and it was in a bit of a state. Years of Yorkshire winters, damp roads, and a touch of rust had finally taken their toll. The pipework was corroded almost all the way through — not far off snapping clean in half.

After a quick word with the customer, we explained what needed doing and got her go-ahead. We fitted a shiny new exhaust system, tailpipe and all, and once it was bolted up tight and the engine fired, the difference was like night and day. Gone was that roaring racket — replaced by a nice, gentle hum just as Peugeot intended.

When the lady came to collect her car, she was over the moon. “It sounds like new again!” she said, beaming from ear to ear. And that’s what it’s all about — a quick job, done properly, and another happy Halifax motorist back on the road.

A Bit of Peugeot 107 History: Peugeot-107-Exhaust-Halifax

The Peugeot 107 first appeared on UK roads in 2005, part of a clever collaboration between Peugeot, Citroën, and Toyota. The three manufacturers teamed up to produce small, economical city cars that were cheap to run but still fun to drive. The Peugeot 107, Citroën C1, and Toyota Aygo all rolled out of the same factory in the Czech Republic—identical in most areas apart from their badges and front-end styling.

Designed for tight city streets and short journeys, the 107 quickly found its place on British roads. With fuel prices climbing and people looking for smaller, more efficient motors, it became a hit, especially among first-time drivers and commuters. Its little 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine could easily handle hilly roads — even here in Halifax — while delivering impressive fuel economy.

Another big advantage was its reliability. The 107’s engine was simple, with very little to go wrong, and parts were affordable. That’s why you still see plenty of them about today — often driven by the same careful owners who bought them new fifteen or more years ago.

Of course, even reliable little cars like the Peugeot 107 need some TLC. After years of running through road salt, rain, and mud, exhaust systems often corrode and start to leak. It’s one of the most common issues we see on older cars, and the 107 is no exception.

Why Exhausts Matter More Than You Think: Peugeot-107-Exhaust-Halifax

A blowing exhaust might seem like just a noisy nuisance, but it can cause bigger problems if ignored. Apart from making the car unpleasant to drive, a damaged exhaust can:

Effect fuel efficiency, as the engine can’t breathe properly
Lead to MOT failures if emissions are too high or the system is leaking gases
Allow fumes to enter the cabin, which can be dangerous for drivers and passengers

That’s why we always say—if your car suddenly sounds like a rally car, pop in and get it checked. Most of the time it’s a straightforward job, and fitting a new exhaust can make a world of difference, just like it did for this little Peugeot.

Pellon Tyres – Keeping Halifax Moving Since 1989: Peugeot-107-Exhaust-Halifax

Here at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, we’ve seen just about everything over the years—from simple exhaust replacements to complex engine jobs. We’ve been looking after local motorists since 1989, helping keep Halifax cars safe, efficient, and roadworthy.

Whether it’s an MOT, a full service, or just a quick exhaust fix, our team takes pride in doing the job right. It’s the small details — like a shiny new exhaust on a trusty Peugeot — that make our day.

So if your car’s started to grumble, rumble, or rattle more than usual, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call into Pellon Tyres on Pellon Lane, Halifax, or visit our website at www.pellontyres.co.uk to book your appointment online. We’ll have you back on the road — and nice and quiet — in no time.

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Renault Clio gets new Back Box

Table of Contents

Renault Clio gets new Back Box

Noisy Exhausts and Falling Back Boxes – A Common Sight on Renault Clios Around Halifax

The Renault Clio – A Familiar Face on UK Roads: Renault Clio gets new Back Box

Why Exhausts Rot From the Inside Out: Renault Clio gets new Back Box