Decat and MOT

[Toms306]

Hi guys,

Thought you might be interested in this....I emailed vosa regarding the presence of a cat rule to ensure a decat will pass the MOT -

Hello there,

There seems to be very mixed opinions across the internet and forums
regarding the new 2012 rules for MOT testing. Now I am interested in the
'presence of a cat' rule.

The way I have understood it is that a catalytic converter MUST be present
on a vehicle which was factory fitted with one, but only if it requires an
emmisions test to pass the MOT. Now I know diesels DO NOT require an
emmisions test, just a smoke density test, so am I correct in thinking that
a diesel with a 'decat' (straight pipe in place of the original catalytic
converter) will pass the MOT like this, assuming the pipe is secure and not
leaking at all.

I ask becuase this is a very popular modification and myself and others
would be very grateful to know exactly whether this is reason for a refusal
or not.

Thank you for your time,

Tom

The answer I got was -

Dear Mr S,

Thank you for your email enquiry dated 12th April 2012, concerning an MOT.

The check for a CAT only applies to petrol engined vehicles which qualify
for a full CAT test. There will be an update to the IM in Spring which will
clarify this.

The fitment of a catalytic converter to petrol engine vehicles is mandatory
for vehicles of the specified age and type e.g. passenger car, goods etc.
The MOT Inspection Manual can therefore specify exactly what petrol engine
vehicles must have a catalyst fitted.

I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have
any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind Regards

Rebecca
Customer Service Centre
VOSA Operations Directorate

So we're definitely fine with de-cats on diesels......

Tom

[ginge191]

Good detective work mate!

[TheGateKeeper]

Excellent

[mark_airey]

Good work, makes an interesting change from the normal, "if it was fitted from the factory it should be there for the MOT and WILL NOT pass without it" response that I have seen from them in the past!

[Jake]

Nice one, now to email them to see WTF they are talking about with running VEG!

[Toms306]

Good work, makes an interesting change from the normal, "if it was fitted from the factory it should be there for the MOT and WILL NOT pass without it" response that I have seen from them in the past!

Yeah I know, was getting fed up with reading 'opinions' rather than facts on the matter lol.......

But atleast I've got this on E-mail from someone in VOSA if there are any problems at MOT time.

[Toms306]

Nice one, now to email them to see WTF they are talking about with running VEG!

Well I'll leave you to do that one as I hate veg!

[Matt]

Good work pal clears some of it up

[lolsteve]

Fantastic Cheers for emailing them

[Kezzieboy]

I assumed this was the case, as mine passed it's MOT, under the new rules, with a decat

[Mattcheese31]

i knew it was ok but yeah thanks . . . . .

[Toms306]

i knew it was ok but yeah thanks . . . . .

I was also sure it was ok....and fed up people telling me otherwise, hence getting some proof.

[cully]

well done tom see your time at home is usefull

oh and veg oil you need to email /phone HMRC

[Mr Whippy]

The current MOT guidelines are pretty clear, IF you don't interpret them incorrectly.

Nice work there though!

I doubt the types of MOT testers that make rules up would change their mind if you said your forum friend had a letter from VOSA though

Still no substitute for using a nice MOT centre in the first place!

Dave

[ben306]

My bro's an MOT tester and said a lot of the 'new' rules dont actually change all that much from what was already there!

In reality, a petrol wouldnt pass without a cat anyhow, where as a diesel is a visual smoke test.

[procta]

my mot tester passed my car with out a cat and said i can deback box it too as long as it passes the smoke test and noise reg.
tom i read in one of practical classic mags about mots and there wasnt even a mention of dervs with cats, they just mention a smoke test thats it.

[Printedflunky]

I have had a problem with my car failing it's MOT due to not having rear door handles, exhaust too loud and due to a missing catalyst ( if you're on 306.net you may have read about it).
I read this post from a link on .net and send another email to VOSA basically asking the same question just to doubly make sure.
I didn't have a reply the next day so phoned VOSA 0300 123 9000 and spoke to a lady who confirmed that diesels DO NOT need the CAT to pass the MOT.
Yay.
However, this morning I recieved a reply to my email and it goes like this...


Dear Mr G,

Thank you for your email enquiry dated 20th April, 2012 concerning an MOT
failure.

Diesel emissions equipment, including any catalyst or Diesel Particulate
Filter is not part of the MOT test and therefore its absence will not
result in an MOT failure. However, removal of such components would
constitute a breach of Construction and Use regulations and is therefore
illegal.

To see what standards are applied to the MOT test or to see how individual
items should be inspected you can use our online system.

I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have
any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind Regards

Christina M Joseph
Customer Service Centre
VOSA Operations Directorate
Tel: 0300 123 9000

The staff at the VOSA Contact Centre are keen to hear your feedback on the
service that they provide for you,to enable them to further understand
customer requirements and make improvements where possible.

So if this modification is illegal how is it an MOT pass?
Does this mean that this mod could invalidate your insurance?
anyone else got any ideas?

[Printedflunky]

duplicate post, sorry

[Dum-Dum]

Tom id rep you if we had the button.

Painted flunky, yes it is probably illegal, Youve got to bear in mind that C&U basically says you cant do anything to your car to change it away from manufacturer specs. Ive even heard roumours that changing your tyres from the standard Pirelli P6000s to something else like Toyos "MAY" constitute a breach of the regs

[cully]

thats just bollocks!
so all the road registered rally cars and compatition trials cars or any modded road cars are all ilegal !

Vosa is talking from its arse!!!