Proposed changes to the MOT test

[Phil H]

I've just completed an AA motoring survey, part of which referred to proposed changes to the MOT test. Once again the changes are prompted by Brussels and as ever offending countries are threatened with punitive fines for non-compliance.

The link to the consultatitve document follows, and it's definitely worth a read, especially if you have high intensity lights (Annex A is of most interest):

http://applications.doeni.gov.uk/publications/document.asp?docid=18114

http://www.doeni.gov.uk/index/information/foi/recent-releases/publications-details.htm?docid=8428

PH

 

[alfamaserman]

Thanks for posting this because it's the first time I've seen the proposals in writing [plenty of hitherto rumours].
As some will also have heard I was concerned that 'de-cating' a car may be a future failure. With this in mind I elected not to de-cat the Land Rover when I had the new s/s exhaust fitted a couple of weeks ago! At least it saved me a few quid. I know a few owners have removed the cat. on their Maseratis - I hope they have retained them.

 

[Parisien]

But if they've only removed one set, won't the primary set suffice?


P

 

[lozcb]

But if they've only removed one set, won't the primary set suffice?


P

Seems to at present frank , so i would say the answer to your question is yes , it will always be possible to add sports cats /secondary cats at anytime , a couple of hundred quid for a pair new plus fitting so its not the end of the world , from what i understand of the xennons it only affects the aftermarket additions not the standard factory set up as that already meets the requirements

regards loz

 

[DaveT]

Yes Loz

Just the guys fitting Xenons after the fact without the washers who would fall foul.

 

[maserati]

But if they've only removed one set, won't the primary set suffice?


P

P


15. Emission control systems including catalytic converter
Where required, a missing catalytic converter becomes a reason
for rejection.

If this proposal becomes law, then in future the removal of a cat will result in an advisory notice in the first year and a MOT failure in subsequent years. Owners will not therefore be able to rely on primary cats alone. As Loz suggests cats can be re-instated or replacements puchased. Are you sure Loz about those prices? I thought that they were much more expensive.

Regards,

Paul

 

[lozcb]

P


15. Emission control systems including catalytic converter
Where required, a missing catalytic converter becomes a reason
for rejection.

If this proposal becomes law, then in future the removal of a cat will result in an advisory notice in the first year and a MOT failure in subsequent years. Owners will not therefore be able to rely on primary cats alone. As Loz suggests cats can be re-instated or replacements puchased. Are you sure Loz about those prices? I thought that they were much more expensive.

Regards,

Paul

Im sure the OEM ones are a great deal dearer Paul , but there are after market ones eg ( larini ) ones that can be fitted , but im pretty sure that all that matters is that you meet the emissions figures , and at the moment that is being achieved with only one cat which kinda proves the seconday cat is .....eh not required

If the figures are tightened up then it may well be necessary to replace the secondary cats


regards loz

 

[2b1ask1]

These proposed changes or at least the linked documents are for Northern Ireland or am I missing sometihing?

 

[Grinzzz]

would most MoT stations even know a secondary cat was missing? I'd have thought so long as you met the figures they wouldn't give two hoots.

 

[Parisien]

These proposed changes or at least the linked documents are for Northern Ireland or am I missing sometihing?

I had posted up that link before, as the MOT stations here are government run, easier to implement(?).......you can trust an NI MOT...no ifs or buts...the real McCoy!


P

 

[Parisien]

would most MoT stations even know a secondary cat was missing? I'd have thought so long as you met the figures they wouldn't give two hoots.

Good point, but am sure a quick phone call could land you in it!

P

 

[lozcb]

All this emission rubbish , i know of plenty down south MOT stations and one or two in MK that would be happy to put there emissions wand in any fiesta corsa to appease the requirements , sorta makes the whole thing a bit of a red herring in my book

especially when you see the large quantity of eastern european trucks on our roads spewing out ther thick black diesel smoke




regards loz

 

[Paco]

When I worked in an MOT station ( a few moons back) a certain local gent had 5.0 Tbird all mocked up as a Nascar with Coors livery etc etc Pretty naff but it had side exit exhausts with no silencing and made a fine racket. Each time it was mot'd he brought it to us because we let him borrow our pit for ten minutes to undo the side exits and lash on a brace of silenced tubes that made it run like shytola but pass emissions, he then spent ten minutes more swapping them back with a fresh ticket before topping up our biccy barrel and blatting off up the road!

 

[Phil H]

These proposed changes or at least the linked documents are for Northern Ireland or am I missing sometihing?

You're correct Newton. However, the docs state:

The changes are required to be made by all European Member
States, and will also be implemented in the rest of the United
Kingdom.

&

Since 1977 the European Community has been working towards
the establishment of a harmonised system of periodic testing for
motor vehicles, to ensure confidence in the roadworthiness of
vehicles across all of the Member States. Two recent European
Commission Directives, 2009/40/EC and 2010/48/EU, revised and
updated the existing legislation, and member States are required
to implement these Directives by 31 December 2011. Among
other things, the two Directives set out a list of items to be tested,
and the standards against which those items should be assessed.

EU directives are quoted, so it is clear that although my original links reflect NI thinking the rest of us will have to follow suit whether we like it or not, this being from VOSA:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MoT - Issue 51 - Sep 2011.pdf

We could adopt a cunning plan and revert to proper horse power just to thwart the powers that be, although they would then insist on annual veterinary inspections to ensure that emmissions didn't breach climate change legislation. I must admit that does have certain appeal; just imagine the spectacle of vets across the country sticking their calibrated noses up horses ars*s.

PH

 

[Dan!]

When the Lotus gets MOT'd I pop the cat back on and stick the front plate back on for the test and then throw the pair of them back in the boot for the drive home. A load of rubbish.... But, as we all know the real reason for this test is to keep proper death traps off the road. A missing cat or number plate does not a death trap make. However, I'm applying logic here which of course has no place in bureaucracy.

 

[Andyk]

A few years back when I had the mark 1 Exige that was never going to pass the test but the friendly MOT station used to wheel an old Ford Escort in to do the emission....Naughty but nice......

 

[maserati]

Having owned fast cars and boats I cannot pretend to have 'green' credentials if you will pardon the expression. That said I approve of the technical advances made in the motor industry to reduce emmissions. Removing lead from petrol, increasing fuel economy and reducing carbon monoxide levels for example are all positive steps..... And no this is not an advertisement for save the whale!

Regards,

Paul

 

[Maser Sod]

Doesn't the cat configuration vary depending on 4200 model/year ... I.e. not all have pre-cats just after the manifold? Or maybe my memory is a bit shaky. Anyway, a good sports cat should give nearly as much oomph as a decat, and without the ear bleeding.

 

[Emtee]

Doesn't the cat configuration vary depending on 4200 model/year ... I.e. not all have pre-cats just after the manifold?

Didn't the US spec have them mounted on the manifold?

 

[TridentTested]

I'm all in favour of harmonisation if it means my car will be tested every two years, like in France, and my motorbike not at all, like in Ireland.