How important is the heat shield

A heat shield at the back of my Vauxhall Astra H has fallen off. I think it protects the fuel tank but I'm not 100% sure. How important is it to get it replaced?
Important, because it protects the fuel tank from exhaust heat, and the tank might be plastic. Not important if the car is only ever used for short runs and the rear silencer never ever gets hot.

Answered by Honest John on

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