de-catted cars ????

[daddyfixit]

reading a trade publication this evening at home;


"One such story that has been of particular interest (no pun intended) involves Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs). Introduced over 20 years ago, a larger number of vehicles now require these filters to be serviced. However, for some, it seems removing them is a much easier option than understanding how to make them regenerate. Now the government has stepped in, highlighting the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Regulation 61a(3))1, which states: "To use a vehicle which has been modified in such a way will mean it no longer complies with the air pollutant emissions standards it was designed to meet." Removal of a DPF will therefore almost certainly infringe this legislation.

Will this stop the unnecessary removal of DPFs and, without more stringent emissions testing in the MOT for diesels, how will a missing one be discovered ?

"from aftermarket magazine"

[tigerstyle]

306s don't have DPFs, job done

[Ricky]

It won't be difficult for an MOT tester to find out what cars should have one.

[welshpug]

diesels have smoke tests, DPF's have very minimal effect on smoke density tests.

[Dum-Dum]

A gutted or smashed out one will be impossible to spot if it passes emissions though as they aren't allowed to take them apart.

Straight pipes will be a little more obvious but there's some right shit buried in C&U that nobody is ever going to enforce so I wouldn't worry about it.

[JJtheHITMAN]

Iv failed a zafira gsi not long back for not having a cat fitted where otherwise fitted standard. Could of had it for 'too loud' i suppose but it wasnt stupidly loud

[rtha6551]

Iv failed a zafira gsi not long back for not having a cat fitted where otherwise fitted standard. Could of had it for 'too loud' i suppose but it wasnt stupidly loud

Thats a petrol though and subject to emissions testing? Or did you fail it for it physically not having one as opposed to the emissions test that I'm sure it failed?

[mikey b]

The mot states only petrol car fitted as standard can fail at the mo for not having one as standard so not to worry

[Jonny81191]

Meh, use a local garage and be reasonable with them, if it fails then, it's probably too loud.

[JJtheHITMAN]

If there is no cat in place or fitted to car at time of test that is fitted with one standard it will fail. The actual reason for rejection is 'A catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard' regardless of wether its petrol or diesel.

[Toms306]

It isn't unless they've changed it since last summer.

I E-mailed VOSA before de-catting my PD Golf last year to confirm that it would pass the MOT. They replied stating that it was only vehicles requiring an emmisions test (petrols) that will be checked for 'presence of cat'.

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
emissions test to pass the MOT. Now I know diesels DO NOT require an
emissions 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 because 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

[mikey b]

This is right only petrol cars

[JJtheHITMAN]

My mistake. Just had another look and it doesn't mention diesels in the manual, my bad