MOT emissions test ...

[ChrisW]

Just had a struggle with an MOT station that wanted to apply Cat standards to my non-Cat car.

The CO reading was 1.4% where the pre-Cat standard is <3.5% ...

A few things that may be useful are as follows:

1. Pre August 1992 cars do not have to have a cat fitted
2. Imported cars may have the date of import on the V5, but it's the date of "first use" which is significant --- from the Service Book or first registration documents.
3. A car originally fitted with a Cat does not need to be tested with cat --- so removal is perfectly legitimate.
4. If a different engine has been fitted, the test should be appropriate for the date of first use of the engine ... !

I was a little irritated because my car is on a J plate and therefore accepted by DVLA as being prior Aug 1992, --- it's actually Nov '91, one of the first !

But, what could I have done if it had been on a K plate ?

 

[964RS]

Mine is K reg. No problems - just take it to Big Dave in future.

 

[RSGulp]

Build a relationship with a tester who understands these cars, isn't a 'jobsworth' and will test it accordingly.

 

[Gary C]

ORIGINAL: ChrisW

3. A car originally fitted with a Cat does not need to be tested with cat --- so removal is perfectly legitimate.

Was there not a brief period, when cars did not have to be sold with cats, but a car originally fitted with a cat had to be tested to cat standard ?

 

[Laurence Gibbs]

No to the above is the simple answer. Chris's list of what does and does not count is fairly spot on ! Up to 93 there is no legal reason to have the cat fitted. But if it is fitted it must be working to pass the test.The manufacturers were obliged to fit them for forthcoming legislation that was already in place for the rest of europe.

 

[jason]

ORIGINAL: RSGulp

Build a relationship with a tester who understands these cars, isn't a 'jobsworth' and will test it accordingly.

Ditto. Having a VERY friendly relationship with your MOT tester is very useful[]

 

[964rsdatabase]

Or, of course, in my case, if your father owns an MOT station! []

 

[ChrisW]

Thanks Laurence --- I downloaded the Vosa guidance notes just in-case.

But it might be worth also getting the MOT done as early as possible (one month before without "losing" MOT life) --- rather than as it's about to run out [][]