Issues with 2004 Golf MK5 Please Advise

[adam7861]

Hi All hope someone can advise me, my 2004 VW Golf 1.6 FSI is having some issues. The exhaust was making a blowing sound so I took it to Kwik Fit and Halfords for their free exhaust checks. The mechanics told me that there was a gap in the exhaust flex pipe (Ive taken a pic of this) and that the previous owner had tried to seal the pipe but after some driving it had come loose again.



Anyway Kwik Fit quoted me £392 to fix the issue, saying it was expensive because the pipe is connected to the CAT. Halfords quoted me £457 saying the same thing and justiifed the extra cost by saying they would only use the genuine part and not an aftermarket. A mate of my dads who weve known for a few years has quoted £236.

The light in the dash has also come on now (wasnt on before)  and the car was stuttering when idle yesterday. Im a complete noob when it comes to cars so can someone advise me please whether the issue is what the mechanics have said and whether the cost of repair is reasonable?

Also will the dash light go off once the repair is completed or will it have to be reset?

Thanks

[Ricky123]

Dash light could be anything, have someone plug it in. If it's an engine management light then any code reader will tell you what's at fault.

It's more than likely related to exhaust, possibly the lambda sensor not getting the correct reading due to the exhaust gasses leaking.

As for price.. I don't no what's reasonable as I never go to garages but I'd go with the cheapest quote if he's using new parts. I wouldn't bother with genuine, it's only an exhaust. And I'd steer clear of halfords and kwik fit, I no lads from school that have worked at places like that and I wouldn't let them fix a puncture on my pedal bike lol

[adam7861]

Thanks for the reply mate. Yeah the manual lists the light as an exhaust problem, I was just concerened about whether the light would automatically go off when the exhaust is fixed or if it would have to be reset using the diagnostics tool.

[howie1987]

You could pick up a 2nd hand one for about £50 then maybe an hours labour somewhere.