deteriation in exhaust emission values- help!

[mini world]

Hi everyone,

I own a 02 reg dark silver MCS- had it about six months- (I LOVE IT)

Today- a warning light came on the dashboard- I looked in the book and it says its "engine- deteriation in exhaust emission values". The car sounds a bit nosier now too.
I have some questions:

Is it normal to have this problem- the car has done 27,000 miles
Do you think I need a new exhaust?
How much will this cost? My mate had a quick look and he said I may need a middle section and a rear section....
Can I get it fixed at somewhere like Kwik fit and not BMW for the cheapest deal? Will they be able to re set the warning light in non BMW garages?

Please excuse my ignorance! any help much appreciated- thanks....

Mini world

[MINI-Morgan]

Middle and rear? Hmmm well since the sensors are all part of the manifold it would have to be the CAT thats failing in most cases. I'd get the fault codes read before you worry too much as the light means there is a fault that can effect emissions but might not be the exhaust.

[MarkW]

could b a sensor failure

[MINIMANIAUK]

sounds like a cat failure -light on and increased noise, also check the exhaust is not split where the cat is fitted

[mini world]

Hello- thanks for your responses!

The warning light turned off yesterday by itself.

I went to Kwik fit anyway and the guy had a look. He said that the exhaust looked fine- but could be that the CAT is going. He told me to come back when the warning light comes on and he will do a diagnostic test to see what's wrong.

will this be expensive???
should I be driving like a granny from now on???

[MINI-Morgan]

Does it go off again when a CAT effiency error is triggered? Id still get someone to read the fault codes.....

Kwik Fit might not be the safest place to take it especially since the triggering code will still be there even though the light has gone out.

[mini world]

Hi MINI- Morgan,

The light hasn't come back for two days, haven't noticed an increase in noise yet...
Fault codes? I guess I would need to take to BMW to get them to read?
Not sure if it is the CAT- the guy said it could be but to carry on driving until the light comes back on.

[MINI-Morgan]

Any decent garage should be able to do it. But if you arent worried and it hasnt come back then I cant see the harm in leaving it and see if it comes back and if they pick it up on your next service