Exhaust Question 3.0 V6

[Big_Al]

Hi guys , got my "Miggy" up in the air on axle stands to do Auto box fluid and Filter.. First chance to have a real good look underside.

It looks in pretty good shape    except  where the exhausts run down from the manifolds to the "Cats" These sections are shrouded in a light gauge metal casing with what looks like some sort of sensor in each one.

These casings have several holes in them where the thin metal has rusted /eroded away and seem a bit "loose" around the main cental pipe. Car seems to run lovely ,but thought I would ask if this is a common problem and is it  an MOT failure. Lasly is it OK to use like this as exhuast itself looks fine..
Regards, Big Al

[Mike Collins]

The thin metal casings are heat shields for the underbonnet area, the lambda sensors fit through them into the downpipes.

They generally rattle a bit, putting a large jubilee type clip around the lower end will quieten them.

As long as the exhausts are not leaking, I can't see there will be a problem.