Straight through exhaust/mot regs

[Chris]

Extract taken directly from the 2012 MOT testers manual:

"On vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions
test, check the presence of the catalytic
converter."

Pre-2001 diesels do not qualify for a full cat test, so they shouldn't fail it for not having one.

That said, this is assuming your average MOT tester is fully capable of understanding that instruction and ignoring hearsay, and also that they didn't get out of the wrong side of bed that morning. In conclusion, friendly MOT testers ftw!

This goes for all diesels.
No diesel does a full emissions check just smoke so removal of the cats is fine on any car made to date.