Vehicle exhaust system

A tubular component for a vehicle exhaust system comprising:

• an upstream pipe having a first end and a second end;
• a downstream pipe having a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end of the downstream pipe at least partially encloses the second end of the upstream pipe such that the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe together define a junction region;
• and
• wherein the downstream pipe further defines an opening within the junction region such that the opening provides a leakage path for exhaust gases.

A method of assembling a tubular component for a vehicle exhaust system, the method comprising:

• providing an upstream pipe having a first end and a second end;
• providing a downstream pipe having a third end and a fourth end, wherein the fourth end of the downstream pipe defines a primary exhaust gas flow path, and the downstream pipe at least partially defines an opening providing a secondary exhaust gas flow path for exhaust gases therein towards the third end;
• coupling the second end of the upstream pipe with the third end of the downstream pipe to define a junction region such that the opening is within the junction region;
• and
• welding the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe together.