Cardiff
Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is a bustling metropolis known for its vibrant culture and rich history. With a population of over 350,000, it is the largest city in Wales and a hub for various industries.
The most popular cars in Cardiff
When it comes to car ownership in Cardiff, the data collected reveals some interesting insights. Topping the list as the most popular car in the city is the Ford Focus, a favorite among Cardiff residents. Following closely behind are the Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta, and the BMW 3 Series.
In addition to the aforementioned information, it is worth noting that Cardiff residents have a preference for compact and efficient cars, ideal for navigating the city's busy streets and limited parking spaces. This choice reflects the practicality and convenience sought by Cardiff's residents in their daily commutes.
Vehicle numbers in Cardiff
Cardiff boasts a significant number of licensed vehicles, with approximately 250,000 cars registered in the city. This high number reflects the city's reliance on private transportation and the need for efficient and reliable car maintenance services.
Postcodes and suburbs in Cardiff
Cardiff is divided into several postcodes and suburbs, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the notable areas include CF10 (City Centre, Grangetown, and Riverside), CF11 (Butetown, Cardiff Bay, and Splott), CF14 (Heath, Llanishen, and Whitchurch), and CF23 (Penylan, Roath, and Rumney). These diverse neighborhoods contribute to the rich automotive landscape of Cardiff.
As a car maintenance platform catering to the needs of Cardiff residents, we understand the importance of providing top-notch services to keep their beloved vehicles in optimal condition. Whether it's routine maintenance, MOT testing, or repairs, our platform connects car owners with trusted professionals who are well-versed in the specific requirements of Cardiff's automotive landscape.
What does a catalytic converter do?
A catalytic converter is a key component of your exhaust system. It changes harmful substances in a car’s exhaust gasses, such as carbon monoxide nitric oxide, and hydrocarbons, into less harmful gases, such as water vapour. Every car registered in the UK must have a catalytic converter fitted by law. It became standard for petrol vehicles in 1992, and 2001 for diesel cars.
A typical catalytic converter is made of ceramic blocks with a porous structure. By coating the pores with a selection of valuable metals: platinum, rhodium and palladium, they act as a filter to break down the toxic exhaust gases produced by burning petrol.
The metal coatings work far better as filters when they’re heated, so their position next to the engine offers the ideal environment for just that. The converter can then perform the chemical reaction required to break down the poisonous gasses into less harmful products with much greater ease.
How often should a catalytic converter need replacing?
A catalytic converter will usually need to be replaced after 70,000-100,000 miles, or if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms. Regular maintenance and checks (including an MOT) will determine whether you need to replace your converter or if it’s good to go for a few more miles.
How you drive, and the typical usage of your car, will affect its lifespan too. Your converter could wear out quicker if your car is predominantly used for short journeys in stop/start traffic. Your converter works better at a required temperature, so if it’s not getting the chance to heat up properly, it isn’t going to be as efficient. This could shorten its effective life.
The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT
Your vehicle’s emissions will be measured during your MOT test. If your car is found to break the legal limits, then that’s an immediate fail.
In 2020, almost 1.3 million vehicles failed their MOT test last year due to dangerously high emissions. If you’re trying to keep your motoring costs down, then MOT retests are easily avoidable with regular checks and good car maintenance.
What happens during a catalytic converter replacement?
Our certified mechanics will:
Raise your car completely off the ground, making sure that the exhaust has had time to cool down before they begin the replacement.
Locate the catalytic converter. It usually looks like a box in the middle of the exhaust system underneath the car.
Remove the catalytic converter, inspect it and fit a replacement if necessary
Test the new catalytic converter, taking care to double check that the replacement catalytic converter is up to the correct specifications for the vehicle’s emissions standards.
What causes a catalytic converter to break?
Most catalytic converters will last the lifetime of a vehicle. But in some cases, a converter will go bad and need to be replaced. Almost all problems with a catalytic converter are due to an engine issue. It is usually caused by excess fuel entering the exhaust system due to an incorrect air/fuel mixture, failing spark plugs, incorrect engine timing, a faulty oxygen sensor, or other issues where fuel leaves the engine’s combustion chamber unburned.
When this happens, the catalytic converter gets too hot and begins to melt, causing significant performance problems. Without proper maintenance, carbon deposits can also clog the catalytic converter, or worst case, block it completely.
When should a catalytic converter be replaced?
The expected lifespan of a catalytic converter is usually between 70,000 and 100,000 miles. Regular maintenance and checks (including an MOT) will determine whether you need to replace your converter or if it’s good to go for a few more miles.
How you drive, and the typical usage of your car, will affect its lifespan too. Your converter could wear out quicker if your car is predominantly used for short journeys in stop/start traffic. Your converter works better at a required temperature, so if it’s not getting the chance to heat up properly, it isn’t going to be as efficient. This could shorten its effective life.
What are the symptoms of a bad catalytic converter?
Usually, there a few signs you can look for:
Significantly reduced engine performance.
Dark smoke is coming from the exhaust.
Poor fuel efficiency.
If you experience issues while accelerating.
If you can smell sulfur (rotten eggs) coming from your car.
When the ‘check engine’ warning light illuminates.
How often should you replace your catalytic converter?
A catalytic converter will usually need to be replaced after 70,000-100,000 miles, or if you begin to experience any of the above symptoms. Regular maintenance and checks (including an MOT) will determine whether you need to replace your converter or if it’s good to go for a few more miles.
How you drive, and the typical usage of your car, will affect its lifespan too. Your converter could wear out quicker if your car is predominantly used for short journeys in stop/start traffic. Your converter works better at a required temperature, so if it’s not getting the chance to heat up properly, it isn’t going to be as efficient. This could shorten its effective life.
What happens during a catalytic converter replacement?
Our certified mechanics will:
Raise your car completely off the ground, making sure that the exhaust has had time to cool down before they begin the replacement.
Locate the catalytic converter. It usually looks like a box in the middle of the exhaust system underneath the car.
Remove the catalytic converter, inspect it and fit a replacement if necessary
Test the new catalytic converter, taking care to double check that the replacement catalytic converter is up to the correct specifications for the vehicle’s emissions standards.
What is the average life of a catalytic converter?
This can vary from car to car and from driver to driver, however the estimated lifespan of a catalytic converter is between 70,000-100,000 miles, or if you begin to experience any of the symptoms previously mentioned.
Can you drive with a broken or missing catalytic converter?
Your car will most likely still be drivable, however bad catalytic converters are terrible for the environment, and driving without one is even worse. A blocked or damaged converter can cause further damage to your car, resulting in a more expensive repair in the long run.
There are strict regulations and laws around vehicle emissions, therefore if you get caught by the police with a broken or missing catalytic converter you may be fined.
What happens if you don't change a broken catalytic converter?
Failing to replace a catalytic converter can result in more damage to your car, poor fuel efficiency and a potential fine from the police. If the converter has begun to function poorly due to it being clogged up, it will cause the vehicle to run extremely poorly.