Vauxhall Corsa.

[sandyRoe]

A young neighbour has bought a second hand one. I noticed today that there's a tarry substance around the end of the exhaust. Has she bought trouble?

[Iggle Piggle]

Probably done lots of short runs where the fumes don't get 'blown' out of the pipe but burble round it and stick.
I'm guessing it's a petrol. Diesels get the same problem but in soot.

[sandyRoe]

Thanks. I don't know much about cars but thought that it didn't look right.

[ToraToraTora]

look at the exhaust when it is running. If it is barely visible after initial starting, it's fine, if it's blue/black then the rings are worn. The tar type substance does indicate oil getting through to me.

[tonyav]

Could be soot, sandy. You get water condensation in the exhaust pipe and that will mix with any soot that is present and cause the Black substance around the end of the exhaust pipe ( petrol engine ).
However if it is due to oil then it's most likely down to worn piston rings or worn valve seals.

[sandyRoe]

I know little about cars and it's not for me to say to her. I hope she and her dad knew what they were buying.
A funny thing, the car was only at her door a day or two and it was clamped.