MOT fail + quote

[Peter Gidden]

I have had many cars pass with a decat fitted

[JSandW2]

[quote="Peter Gidden - SBITS"][quote="JSandW2"]I have had many cars pass with a decat fitted[/quote]

[b]Image Replaced With URL For Quote[/b] [url]http://www.jonrb.com/emoticons/rotfl3.gif[/url][/quote]

whats up bits?

[slipping clutch]

I believe an MOT inspector is within his rights to fail a car on a visual inspection of the cat having been removed (if it falls into the bracket where it is required)- its not just down to the emmisions test. An ex G/F of mine had an escort rs and every year it had to have the cat put back on for the M.O.T.
Going on the first bit of information, if I'm correct, I think Peter of sbits makes a valid point - I.E if it isnt there then it does not matter what the emmisions comeing from the car make - technically its a fail and subsequently the ticket issued is questionable.

[Peter Gidden]

I believe an MOT inspector is within his rights to fail a car on a visual inspection of the cat having been removed (if it falls into the bracket where it is required)- its not just down to the emmisions test. An ex G/F of mine had an escort rs and every year it had to have the cat put back on for the M.O.T.
Going on the first bit of information if I'm correct I think Peter of sbits makes a valid point - I.E if it isnt there then it does not matter what the emmisions comeing from the car make technically its a fail and subsequently the ticket issued is questionable.

+1

Two points:

1) New addition to MOT from 1st Jan this year. If cat was originally fitted and is not present, fail.

2) Regardless of above, it is chemically impossible to pass a full cat test without a cat in place. Else manufacturers wouldn't bother fitting them.

I have had many cars pass with a decat fitted

Image Replaced With URL For Quote http://www.jonrb.com/emoticons/rotfl3.gif

whats up bits?

I guess you're new around here? Don't worry, half term will be over soon.

[nickg07]

seen some sports cats on ebay for about 180. saving having to remove the pipe in 12 months is a bonus. i take it the sports cat would pass MOT still and up the hp a little?

[Peter Gidden]

seen some sports cats on ebay for about 180. saving having to remove the pipe in 12 months is a bonus. i take it the sports cat would pass MOT still and up the hp a little?

Yep. Sports cats have a larger matrix, allowing gasses to pass through without restriction, yet should still reduce emissions to within legal limits.

[nickg07]

i heard one of the main benefits of the decat was the removal of the elbow with a nicer flowing bit.

how does this look?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MR2-Turbo-CEL ... 3489397127

[Peter Gidden]

i heard one of the main benefits of the decat was the removal of the elbow with a nicer flowing bit.

how does this look?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MR2-Turbo-CEL ... 3489397127

Only had one experience of that item: we fitted one to a Rev4 Turbo as part of a whole new exhaust system. Customer took for MOT locally some weeks later and passed no problem.

[toxo]

[2) Regardless of above, it is chemically impossible to pass a full cat test without a cat in place. Else manufacturers wouldn't bother fitting them.

You can get very bloody close though. I got mine down to CO: 0.36% & HC: 64ppm where I think the fast idle test has limits of CO <= 0.3% and HC <= 200ppm. That would've been at 1100rpm though, not 2500

[adamshaw]

Dont they go on the engine number ? so your car could for instance have a 94 engine in a 96 car?

[Peter Gidden]

Dont they go on the engine number ? so your car could for instance have a 94 engine in a 96 car?

In theory, yes.

HOWEVER... You will have to prove where the engine came from, chassis number etc. Then prove it was installed by a "qualified professional", and then get documentation from the manufacturer of the emissions for the donor engine. Advice? Don't go there!!!

[Peter Gidden]

You can get very bloody close though.

Agreed. Although lambda value often starts to go a bit silly as you lean out the CO.

[Kongaroo]

So what have people with aftermarket turbo kits been doing to get through the MOT? Have they been custom fabricating a cat into the downpipe? (there goes a few hundred rpm of spool, lol)

Seems rather unfair when the cars have been allowed to run this way legally for so long to suddenly pull the rug out from under your feet - ought to be illegal

EDIT - btw does anyone know if the original pre-July 1995 rule for CAT emmisions still applies to cars that didn't come with the CAT fitted in the first place?

[toxo]

So what have people with aftermarket turbo kits been doing to get through the MOT? Have they been custom fabricating a cat into the downpipe? (there goes a few hundred rpm of spool, lol)

Seems rather unfair when the cars have been allowed to run this way legally for so long to suddenly pull the rug out from under your feet - ought to be illegal

No one's had the rug pulled, the only thing that's changed is that the CAT has to visually be there - as has been pointed out you couldn't have passed without one anyway, without having a dodgy MOT. IIRC jimgts's rev5 turbo had a sports CAT on it?

EDIT - btw does anyone know if the original pre-July 1995 rule for CAT emmisions still applies to cars that didn't come with the CAT fitted in the first place?

Yes, that hasn't changed.

[Kongaroo]

There's a sticky on which test you need for pre July 1995 cars. VOSA's advice was that the non-CAT test was used for cars not in the UK database but first used on the road prior to July 1995 or thereabouts.
EDIT - you are a faster typer than me, lol. In other words MOT was legal as long as you passed the non-cat emissions test

[toxo]

Sorry, should've been clearer. What I meant was, if you previously would've needed a cat to pass, it now must visually be there.

[leenjenna]

If he adds the cat for MOT then removes it straight after its passed surely his car is now illegal and insurance policy is void as it is no longer road legal?? Therefore does it really matter if his MOT gets passed with a decat or not, end result is a non legal road car?

As they say, an MOT is only really valid until you leave the testing centre, after that anything can happen but its still MOT'd for 12 months.

Just my views.

[Peter Gidden]

If he adds the cat for MOT then removes it straight after its passed surely his car is now illegal and insurance policy is void as it is no longer road legal??

If declared as a modification, he will be fully insured (although read T & C to be sure). Insurance company won't give 2 hoots about emissions.

[leenjenna]

I see, thanks for clarifying Peter

[leary123]

seen some sports cats on ebay for about 180. saving having to remove the pipe in 12 months is a bonus. i take it the sports cat would pass MOT still and up the hp a little?

Yep. Sports cats have a larger matrix, allowing gasses to pass through without restriction, yet should still reduce emissions to within legal limits.

i bought a well made obx sports cat for 1.6 colt. still failed the mot on emissions. i dont trust sports cats anymore