Whether a vehicle can continue to be driven after the exhaust system is damaged depends on the specific degree of damage. If there is only a minor crack or local deformation, it can still be driven for a short period but will be accompanied by increased noise and reduced exhaust emission efficiency. If the exhaust pipe is broken, detached, or severely blocked, the vehicle must be stopped immediately, because the blocked engine exhaust will lead to reduced power, increased fuel consumption, and even cause internal pressure imbalance and damage to engine components. At the same time, untreated exhaust gas will directly pollute the environment. The core functions of the exhaust system include purifying harmful gases (such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides) through the three-way catalytic converter and reducing noise through the multi-channel design of the muffler. Any serious failure will render these functions ineffective. During maintenance, a comprehensive inspection of the exhaust manifold, middle-section muffler, and tail-section pipe is required to ensure that all components are firmly connected and free of carbon deposits or blockages. Long-term neglect of exhaust pipe faults may result in the vehicle failing the JPJ annual inspection and facing fines for violating the emission standards of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.
