I have a Micra 59 plate. A few months ago the car started making a rattling noise and local garage told me it was due to the heat shield on front part of exhaust being loose. They welded it back in place but one place they needed to weld they could't access it without taking off the whole exhaust pipe to get at it. They advised that because all the screws and fixings were so old and knackered, they said they could remove the front exhaust pipe and hear shield and then replace the pipe. I now have a new front exhaust pipe but no heat shield. The garage told me that aftermarket exhaust pipes do not come with heat shields and they didn't want to put my old knackered one back on as that was what was causing the whole noise rattle problem. To be honest I am a bit worried that I now have no heat shield but surely they wouldn't have done this work if my car is now unsafe. Is my car ok without the shield? I would be grateful for your opinions on this please.