It's only when you hear or drive a car with a damaged silencer that you realise what a huge difference it makes to reducing noise levels.

And the way a silencer works is quite fascinating. It contains a deceptively simple set of tubes that are finely tuned to reflect the sound waves produced by an engine so that they cancel each other out.

If there is a hole in the silencer then the sound waves are no longer forced through the tubes and escape outside - increasing the noise level.

Other key components of your exhaust include exhaust pipes that are designed specifically for each car model and route exhaust fumes to the exit at the back of the car.

The exhaust manifold acts as a funnel. It collects exhaust gases from all cylinders of the engine then releases them through a single opening, often referred to as the front pipe.

The exhaust centre section works with the silencer to reduce noise and the tail pipe at the rear carries gases away from the vehicle. All of the components of an exhaust system are connected with a series of clamps, hangers, flanges and gaskets.

Our exhaust experts are on hand ready to check your exhaust is operating safely and efficiently.

If you are concerned about your exhaust, please call Camberley Service Centre on 01276 818 155.

Your car must have a catalytic converter by law to reduce pollution. The job of the catalytic converter is to convert harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they ever leave the car's exhaust system.

Most modern cars are equipped with three-way catalytic converters. "Three-way" refers to the three regulated emissions it helps to reduce - carbon monoxide, unburnt hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide molecules.

Our technicians will examine your exhaust emissions to ensure the catalytic converter is working correctly. If you are concerned about your converter, please call Camberley Service Centre on 01276 818 155.