Subframes make up a significant amount of a car's structural integrity, being the thing that ties the suspension to the body shell. However, like any underbody component, they are subject to extremely harsh conditions, especially in the UK, with our damp, salted roads.

This article explores the costs involved with repairing a corroded subframe and what to look out for when having the work done. 

Almost all modern cars have both a front and rear subframe; these provide stiffness and strength for the suspension components to mount to the bodyshell. The front subframe typically also supports the engine, gearbox and drivetrain components. 

Car subframes are almost always made from steel, which is a strong and cheap material to use. It does, however, rust readily if not sufficiently protected.

The cost to repair a corroded subframe can range from £300 to £3,000, depending on how bad the corrosion is, and how complex the car is.

Minimal rust can often be wire-brushed and treated, which could cost as little as £300 and be done in an afternoon, but if your subframe is very rusty and needs replacing, expect to pay a much larger bill.

Factors that affect subframe repair cost include:

Cars are mainly made of steel, a metal very susceptible to corrosion in the right circumstances. Water causes the iron in the metal to turn into iron oxide, AKA rust. Thanks to our decidedly wet weather in the UK, cars here are more susceptible to rust than most. 

Another contributing factor is salt, which accelerates the corrosion process, and with tons of it being spread on UK roads every winter, poorly protected cars don't stand a chance!

If you cannot avoid driving on UK roads throughout the winter, there are some things you can do to protect your car's subframe and entire underbody from rust:

The best way to protect your car from corrosion is to avoid driving in the winter, but this is obviously not feasible for most people, the next best option is to apply a protective coating to the subframes, suspension components and underbody. 

Products such as Lanoguard and underbody sealant can help protect the metal, but be sure to apply them only when the metal is free from rust; otherwise, any existing rust will continue to spread under the coating. 

Mud and salt can also stick to the underside of your car, especially if the roads are particularly dirty. Pressure washing the suspension, wheel arches and underbody may be a bit extreme for most, but it can help to prevent corrosion in the long term.

How to check if a car's subframe is rusty

Take a look under the car at both the front and rear. The subframe should be easy to spot; look for where the suspension arms are attached to, it will be a different colour to the bodyshell.

If you’re looking at a car for sale, or simply want to check your own car, it can pay to see if the subframe is rusty, look for obvious signs of rust, large amounts of orange, or powdery rust is cause for concern. 

If you need a subframe or any suspension work, Bumper's 

 is a great way to spread the cost, interest-free. Select from a large list of approved garages and ease your cash flow. 

 has been writing about cars for over eight years and writing for Bumper for over three, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Subframe Corrosion Repair Cost

With how expensive certain brands and types of tyres are nowadays, being able to repair a puncture can be a great money saver, should a nail or some other piece of debris find its way into the tread. 

But how much does tyre puncture repair cost, and when can it be done? 

In the UK, tyre repair typically costs between £30 and £40 per tyre.

Naturally, this figure varies by location, type of tyre to be repaired and the type of shop you go to. National chains often have online deals or coupon codes you can make use of, but local independent repair shops may be more flexible with bookings.

Most garages will follow the same rules on when a tyre can or cannot be repaired, these are generally dictated by the British standard BSAU 159 - which can be found online. 

Whilst the standard above is quoted by most garages as the defining guide on what can and cannot be repaired, each company is likely to have its own policy on this.

This company-specific policy is likely to be more cautious than the British standard, for liability reasons, so in some cases a garage will decline to repair a tyre, instead advising you to buy a new one.

No, run-flat tyres cannot be repaired, even if the damage is in the main portion of tread, and is smaller than the max permissible size. 

Run flat tyres are designed to allow the car to be driven a short distance - typically around 50 miles - after a puncture. However, this causes irreparable damage to the tyre’s sidewall, so the tyre should no longer be used.

Getting a puncture is annoying at best, and can sometimes be very expensive if the tyre can't be fixed. Here are some tips to avoid damaging your tyres:

Split the cost of expensive repairs with Bumper's 

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Tyre Puncture Repair Cost

Your car's exhaust not only reduces the sound of the engine, but also carries harmful fumes to the back of the vehicle instead of allowing them to enter the cabin. If your exhaust is damaged, you should get it fixed as soon as possible. 

But how much does an exhaust silencer cost to fix? This article will explain all. 

How much does it cost to repair an exhaust silencer?

Exhaust repair costs range from £30 for a simple repair to over £600 for a replacement part, depending on the car and type of garage.

Sometimes a patch or clamp is all that's needed, in which case a mechanic could have you back on the road in under an hour, with a bill of around £30 - £50.

In some cases, a new part is required, such as a back-box or centre silencer; these can range from £220 to over £500, including fitting.

There are a number of issues that could crop up at an MOT, particularly if the exhaust is leaking gases:

The term “exhaust” generally refers to a number of different parts that attach to one another. Whilst not all cars will have all of these parts, the following list includes most of the parts you need to know about:

Split your exhaust silencer replacement cost with 

 from Bumper. Choose from 1000s of reliable repairers across the country to split your bill with. Apply online and find a garage on our network today.

Exhaust Silencer Repair Cost

After a house, a car is likely to be one of the biggest purchases you make, so there’s plenty to consider: what model to buy, whether to finance or buy outright, and even 

It may not seem like a big deal, but depending on the type of car you’re looking for, the time of year can make a considerable difference in the price and availability of the model you want. In this article, we’ll go through just when is the right time to buy a car. 

It’s worth noting first off that there may not be a “best time” to buy; it could be your hand is forced by an unexpected repair bill, or even worse, an accident. It could also be that all of a sudden you need to carry an extra person, or a pet! 

So don’t feel too disappointed if you need to buy outside of the ideal time. Everything we discuss here is in an ideal world, where your vehicular needs and cash flow can allow the freedom to decide. 

That said, car prices do fluctuate throughout the year, especially on certain types of models, so it’s always worth planning ahead. 

If you’re on the hunt for a brand new car from a dealer, you can try a couple of different tactics, both revolving around the financial calendar. 

In the lead-up to a new model being released, dealerships will be keen to clear old stock out and make space for the newer model. This could be if a new version of the same model, or even if a similar model is launched, that replaces the old one. 

Manufacturers will typically give a rough estimate of when new cars will be available in showrooms, but you may need to call the dealer ahead of time to get a more accurate timeframe for when the new cars will be arriving.

The tax year runs from the 6th of April to the 5th of April the following year. Businesses close their accounts at the end of this financial year, and a drive to increase sales generally picks up around then.

This can mean dealerships might be slightly more accepting of an offer or two around this period, in order to clinch the sale. 

In a similar way to the previous point, salespeople and dealerships often have sales targets that reset each financial quarter. This puts late March, late June, late September and late December as optimum times to visit.

Around when a new registration is released

In the UK, car registrations are dated, in the current format - that has been in use since 2001 - the 3rd and 4th numbers designate the date, e.g. YR25 OLJ is a car registered between March and September 2025. 

Lots of people prefer to have the latest registration. This generally means a spike in sales around March and September. For people who don’t mind having the latest reg number, this could mean a better price.

This is because A - Dealers may be likely to want older plated cars off their forecourt before the new ones come out, and B - They may also be willing to let those same cars go at a lower price 

the new ones are released, due to a lower demand.

Buying a used car can save you thousands; even a car 3-4 years old can be up to 60% cheaper than new. Older cars can be an even bigger bargain, and if you time it right, you may be able to save even more.

For a lot of people, Christmas is an expensive time of year, with loads of things to pay for. That’s why car sales have historically been slow around December and January.

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to buy around Christmas time, you may find an offer on a used (or new for that matter) car is more likely to be accepted.

For your run of the mill hatchbacks, estates and SUVs, there’s no real correlation between demand and time of year, for open top sports cars, however, the weather and season can play a big part.

If you’re looking for a little 2-seater convertible, being able to plan ahead and buy one during winter or autumn could save you a pretty penny. Sellers will still want or need to get rid of cars during these times, but they’ll have much less haggling power if less people are looking to buy!

The opposite is true for cars that people tend to want in winter, 4x4s for snow, and rugged estate cars that don’t mind getting muddy, salty and generally beaten about, aren’t really on buyers' minds during the height of summer.

Buy performance cars at the start of the month

If you’re looking for a performance car, or even just a slightly older car, the VED (road tax) can be a considerable cost, with some rates over £700 per year. Factoring this in when timing your purchase could save you a tank of fuel's worth of cash. Because VED isn't transferable and you can only buy in full calendar months, you’ll need to tax the car from the moment you buy it. If this happens a few days before the end of the month, you’ll still get charged for that whole month.

Buy just after the start of the month, however, and you’ll get a full month's driving from that first payment. The same can be said for selling a car, or taking it off the road - do so nearing the end of a calendar month.

Sell your old car rather than trading it in

When trading in or part-exchanging your old car for a new one, the dealer needs to account for all their costs when calculating the amount they’ll pay. They’ll need to valet it, store it, and of course, add a profit margin. 

This means you won’t get as much for your car as if you sold it privately before the new purchase sites like Autotrader and eBay can be good for getting the best value for your old car. 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

When is the Best Time to Buy a Car?

Petrol and diesel cars have been firmly in the crosshairs of environmental legislation in recent years, thanks to the large amount of pollution they pump into the atmosphere, and the limited supply of fossil fuels they use to do so.

Synthetic fuels may pose a solution to both these points, all without needing extensive modifications to existing vehicles. But what exactly are synthetic fuels, how are they made, and are they the answer to the impending 2030 petrol and diesel ban?

Synthetic fuel, also known as e-Fuel, is an alternative to petrol or diesel, but instead of being a refined version of the oil found naturally in the Earth's crust, it's a man-made fuel, produced through complex and innovative processes.

You may have heard of synthetic oil for use in your engine, as they are commonly specified for use in modern vehicles; however, synthetic fuel doesn’t follow quite the same method. Whereas synthetic engine oil starts with crude oil, the constituent parts of synthetic fuels are all extracted in a renewable way, and even the energy used comes from renewable methods such as solar and wind.

At the most basic level, synthetic fuels are a blend of carbon and hydrogen to form a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Almost all fuels we use are hydrocarbons, from natural gas to diesel.

Hydrogen is gathered by extracting it from plain old water, in a process called electrolysis. Whilst it sounds relatively simple, this takes large amounts of energy to do. The other ingredient, carbon, is ideally captured from the large amounts of carbon dioxide in the air, but can also come from processed biomatter. 

Once collected, the hydrogen and carbon are combined and refined into petrol or diesel, depending on the materials used and processing involved.

Yes, the main selling point of eFuels is that they work as direct replacements for fossil-based petrol and diesel. The reliability, economy and performance would be matched by way of additives, just as synthetic engine oils are made.

An alternative to fossil fuels has been a priority for many years, due to both their polluting nature and the finite quantity of crude oil needed to produce them. Thanks to the way e-fuel is made, it is a CO2-neutral process, meaning it does not add CO2 to the atmosphere in the same way burning fossil fuels does. 

This means we can limit the effect our cars have on the environment, and add another option for those not yet ready or able to switch to electric. The prospect of synthetic fuels is so promising that an exemption to the EU 2035 petrol car ban was added.

One of the companies leading the way in synthetic fuel development is Porsche, most likely because the bulk of their business and prestige is from high-performance sports cars such as the 911, and they are famous for their incredible engines.

Whilst they do still emit CO2 into the atmosphere when burnt in an engine, eFuels are made by capturing carbon dioxide out of the air, meaning their carbon emissions are effectively neutralised.

However, one aspect that is not cleaner is the nitrogen oxide emissions; in some cases these have been found to be higher than when using conventional petrol fuel, the same can be said for carbon monoxide and ammonia.

What are the downsides of synthetic fuels?

Synthetic fuels aren’t widely used currently due to both cost and availability. The largest plant in the world in Chile is predicted to output around 55 million litres of eFuel in 2025, which sounds good until you learn that the UK alone uses around 17 billion litres of petrol. 

Because of this scarcity, the price is also very expensive, and with the amount of energy needed to produce it, it's not likely to come down to a price near that of normal fuels in the next few years. 

Another downside, especially when compared to electric vehicles, is the emissions that are still released when burned. As we discussed above, the NOx and carbon monoxide levels can actually be higher in some cases. This, coupled with the carbon dioxide emissions, means eFuelled vehicles will still need to be controlled in cities and large towns. 

Will synthetic fuels replace EVs and Hybrids?

Time will tell, but looking at the figures, it seems unlikely, at least for the majority of drivers. What may well happen is that synthetic fuels become available for those wanting to use older performance or vintage cars.

For the masses, though, eFuels will simply be too expensive to justify; hopefully, the cost of purchase and charging infrastructure of EVs will improve before the 2030 deadline. 

Synthetic Fuels Explained

China has been a dominating force in manufacturing for decades, with many of the products we buy and use daily being made there. But, until recently, the same could not be said for cars; despite there being numerous Chinese car brands, they never really made much headway in any markets outside of Asia. 

However, with over 10% of new cars sold in the UK in 2025 being made in China, that is changing. Here is a rundown of some of the most notable brands, with some information about their current models. 

 has a long and varied history in the UK, first founded in the 1920s, they were famous for their open-top sports cars like the MG A and MG TF. The brand was owned by numerous companies throughout its life, but was finally bought by the current owner, SAIC, in 2011.

A full-scale re-launch, geared heavily towards cost-effective electric and hybrid cars, started in 2019. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, with very successful models such as the MG5, MG HS and MG ZS.

SAIC, the owner of the MG Europe brand, is the biggest producer of cars in China, and has dozens of factories making both SAIC and MG-branded cars, for inside and outside of China, respectively. 

 was originally a battery manufacturer formed in 1995; they diversified into cars in the early 2000s. Their models are well known for their quirky design and names, notable mentions being the Seal, Sealion and Dolphin. 

Global sales in 2022 hit 1.8 million, making them a significant player internationally. Priced slightly higher than the likes of MG, and with a focus on luxurious interiors, they are targeting the higher end of this new market.

, was founded in 1997, but did not enter the UK market until 2024, with the Omoda 5 launch in March of that year. The brand is offering mid-level vehicles that offer a good amount of tech and luxury, but aren’t as expensive as some more luxury brands. 

Chery is the fourth largest vehicle manufacturer in China, and as such has many facilities across the country, its vehicle selection in the UK is currently limited to three models, the Omoda 5, the E5 and the Omoda 9. 

 came to the UK market ahead of most other Chinese brands, with their diesel powered Steed pickup truck in 2012. The Steed didn’t sell in great numbers, but the new ORA brand has. 

Their flagship vehicle being the ORA 3 (originally named the Funky Cat) which is a small, quirky city car, powered by a 170bhp electric motor. With prices starting at just under £25,000, it offers good value compared to the competition. 

GWM is also busy bringing another brand to the UK; HAVAL, which will specialise in SUVs and Crossovers. Their first car; the Jolion Pro. They have also teased what looks like a pickup truck too.

As seems to be common with all the brands discussed here, 

is another offshoot from a larger company, with the aim of targeting a different market. The parent company, Geely, is one of the larger car makers in China, and actually owns a few well-known “European” brands such as Polestar, Volvo and Lotus.

Zeekr is primarily focussed on the luxury market, with three cars in their current lineup, the most notable, the 001, is bucking the trend slightly by offering a shooting brake style 5 door, reminiscent of a larger Porsche Panamera.

The AWD performance model has over 500hp, putting it squarely in the high-end performance EV category. Other models include the angular Zeekr X (expected late 2025) and the 7X to come sometime after that. 

What are the top Chinese car brands?

Many people buy electric cars primarily for the cost saving, the thought being that not having to buy expensive petrol or diesel will save them thousands over the course of a year. But with recent tax changes, and away-from-home charging rising in price, what really is the cost of running a Tesla Model 3?

Road tax, or to use its proper name, Vehicle Excise Duty, is a tax on using motor vehicles on a public road. The rate to be paid depends on a few factors, including the age of the vehicle and its environmental impact. There is also a different rate for the first year a car is on the road.

Another thing to consider is the “luxury vehicle tax”, which is an extra charge on cars with a list price of over £40,000, and is an extra £425 for the first 5 years.

Thanks to its zero-emissions drivetrain, the first year VED on a new Model 3 is £10.

As all Model 3’s were first registered after March 2017 (the Model 3 was first available in the UK in 2019) 

According to the Tesla website, the base spec Model 3 comes in at just under the £40,000 limit; however, almost all cars will have been ordered with one of the many optional extras, putting it above the limit.

The Model 3, therefore, will almost always incur the 

Insurance is calculated by risk, both the risk of your car being stolen and the risk of you having an accident. All cars are sorted into an 

 when put on sale, and this gives a pretty good indicator of what the insurance costs will be. 

The base spec, short-range and 2WD Model 3s are insurance group 38; however, the long-range, or performance models are typically in group 50, which is the highest and most expensive group.

Because insurance varies so much from person to person, with location playing a massive factor too, it’s best to get some indicative insurance quotes that are tailored to you, but be prepared to pay relatively high premiums.

This is the area where you would expect an electric vehicle to do very well, but it is heavily influenced by the places you charge, and your home electricity tariff.

*assuming an electricity rate of 34p / kWh, and charging to 100%

**assuming a 67p / kW rate, charging to 80%

The above figures show it is much cheaper to charge at home, but this isn’t very useful without knowing how many miles you get per charge. Especially in the case of the supercharger stations, where most people only charge to 80% (as charging from 80-100% takes a very long time).

This data is taken from real-world figures of owners, and will depend heavily on the style of driving, the conditions and the health of the battery.

You may remember a few years ago, Tesla offered free supercharging; some people think this applies to all Tesla cars, unfortunately, that's not the case. 

Free supercharging only came on selected models, and only when it was selected as an option from the dealership. It was never available on Model 3’s, only the Model S and X.

However, as Tesla offers the chance to “sell” the supercharging perk back to them when you’re changing cars, not many cars are left with this perk.

One of the biggest advantages of an electric car is its simplicity. They have very few moving parts, so unlike petrol or diesel cars, they don’t have engine oil, air filters, oil filters or fuel filters to change. 

Even brake pads rarely need changing, thanks to the regenerative braking doing most of the stopping. This massively cuts down on servicing costs.

The two things you do need to remember, even with an electric car, are the tyres and the brake fluid. Tyres should be changed 

 - usually when they get below 3mm tread depth. 

Depending on your driving style, EVs tend to be heavier on tyre wear as they typically have more weight and power than a typical petrol or diesel car. 

Tesla Model 3 Running Costs UK

Although they also make hatchbacks, SUVs and trucks, the one style of car Mercedes is most known for is their executive saloons. The E-Class is their mid-size saloon, which competes with the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. 

Mercedes has a reputation for being well-engineered and made, with older models being used the world over as taxis for decades - but does the new E-Class live up to this hype?

After finishing 3rd place in WhatCar?’s reliability survey for luxury vehicles, you would think the E-Class is pretty reliable; however, the brand as a whole finished 24th out of 31. This may be due to the type of cars it was up against in the luxury car class, compared to the likes of Toyota and Honda in the general category.

Recalls are made to fix a manufacturing or design fault that was picked up after the cars had been sold. This requires the owners to bring them back to the dealership, for the remedial work to be done. 

Recall work is not charged to the owner of the car, and is paid for by the manufacturer. To check if your car has outstanding recalls, visit the 

12v Battery may not remain secure in a crash

The 12v battery on the current generation of E-Class is secured by a fixing strap, and is located in the boot. Some models were fitted with an insufficient attachment method, causing the battery to become unsecure. 

The fix is relatively simple, requiring an additional fixation being attached to the battery, which would be done free of charge at a Mercedes dealer. This fault affected around 3,600 cars.

In 4 separate recalls, spanning from 2022 to 2024, multiple issues were detected with the attachment of the wiring harness to the body of the car.

In total this affected around 3,500 cars. However, because they are issued on separate recalls it is difficult to tell if some cars will be affected by the same recall notices. 

As you'd expect, the recall work involves simply fixing the wiring connectors and clips to make sure they are up to specification. As the wiring will be either under the car or buried behind many interior trim panels, expect the dealer to need your car for a few days at least.

Numerous owners have complained of a similar issue, causing an engine warning light on the dash, and in extreme cases a limp-home activation. In this case these were caused by a faulty sensor in the exhaust system. 

It is likely this was a lambda sensor, something that reads the oxygen level in the exhaust gases, something that is vital for the ECU to understand how well the engine is running. A faulty lambda sensor is likely to cause error codes. 

To give an incredibly smooth yet dynamic ride, certain trim levels of the E-class are fitted with air suspension. This is not a new thing in the world of luxury cars, but it almost always becomes a bone of contention, especially as the cars get older. 

Issues arise when the system begins leaking or malfunctioning, which can result in a harsh, uncomfortable ride and sometimes require immediate attention. Whilst most W213 models (the current generation) are unlikely to experience major faults, it is something that adds complexity.

Ranging from transmission ECU problems, infotainment issues, and general wiring niggles, there are a few instances of owners requiring extensive work under warranty to repair electrical problems. 

It’s unclear if these things are related to the wiring recalls listed above or are just a symptom of cars being more and more complex nowadays.

The market for executive saloons is well stocked, with options from Audi, BMW and Lexus, but Mercedes is probably the first port of call for most. Therefore, if you’re looking for something that gives a certain impression, the above issues are probably not much to worry about, especially if your car will still be under warranty. 

That last point, the car being under warranty, is something I would not overlook. With Mercedes dealer repairs being some of the most expensive, you’ll certainly not want to be fixing major issues out of your own pocket.

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer