2012 Changes to MOT regs.

[mac]

Just a thought chaps,

Part of the new MOT regs "A catalytic convertor fitted as original equipment but missing will be a reason for failure."

1990/91 B14 and B172 had 2way cats fitted as standard (but not at that time required under the regs) few will have survived
a change of exhaust, and they are totally unobtainable now. (though I do have one in stock at say, oh £1,000,000.).

Mac.

[Evoman]

Are you sure this isnt from a certain date? i cant imagine really early ones they would be worried about? it also just sounds like an inspection thing, a friendly MOTer may not bother if its pass emissions.

[macplaxton]

I'm looking at the manual, and I see the date as no cat required if first used before 1st August 1992. However Directive 2010/48/EU (pdf) (8.2.1.1. Exhaust emissions control equipment) states that "a) Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer absent, modified or obviously defective." is a reason for failure.

In Service Exhaust Emission Standards for Road Vehicles - 16th Edition (pdf)
Inspection Manual for Classes 3, 4, 5 and 7 Vehicles (4th Edition) (zipped pdf)

New items in the MOT Inspection Manual have a vertical bar in front of them.

Checking VOSA publication Matters of Testing - Issue 52 - Dec 2011 (pdf), it says under new RfRs "A catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard. (Vehicles subject to a full cat test only.)"

Looking at the manual again:
Method of Inspection - "On vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test, check the presence of the catalytic converter."
RfR - "A catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard"

So Mac, thanks to the UK's very liberal interpretation of Commission Directive 2010/48/EU your cat is worth weigh-in money at best

[MCHUDD]

Hi mac.
I have a spare also. I thought for a minute there i had won the lotto
Anyone need a cat cheap
Cheers Mark.

[macplaxton]

To be honest Mac, I think there are other things to worry about, such as:

"a steering lock mechanism missing or fails to engage" That's a nonsense piece of extra work I have to do

Safety my arse.

[Evoman]

The cat thing seems to be down to the tester discretion.

[macplaxton]

The cat thing seems to be down to the tester discretion.

Well if he failed me (not that I'd ever have anything that new), he'd have his head shoved in the manual.

[Chris_C]

To be honest Mac, I think there are other things to worry about, such as:

"a steering lock mechanism missing or fails to engage" That's a nonsense piece of extra work I have to do

Safety my arse.

My car is too old to have a steering lock

[macplaxton]

My car is too old to have a steering lock

Best I sit down and study that section again.

As well as study the NCT manual for here. (Probably has some bits gold-plated for my misery.) Three of my cars maybe exempt, but it still leaves a Pug and a Dizzler to do.

[Chris_C]

Fake just hasn't had one in all the years I've owned her, 300 steering locks as I'm sure you know just seize in the "I'm not going to do anything" position. Foggy did have a fix at one point, it's just something I've never worried about, the steering lock is so weak I've seen people just snap them on 300's anyway.

[macplaxton]

My car is too old to have a steering lock

Ah yes, a case of RTFM

The inspection of the steering lock only applies to passenger cars with:
• a steering lock fitted as standard by the manufacturer, and
• four or more wheels, and
• not more than 8 passenger seats excluding the driver’s seat, and
• first used on or after 1 September 2001
The check does not apply to quadricycles.

I'll go to SpecSavers.

[Chris_C]

I love age related rulings

One of my goals to aim for is to turn up to an MOT test on a "visible smoke only" vehicle!

[macplaxton]

One of my goals to aim for is to turn up to an MOT test on a "visible smoke only" vehicle!

That's easy, I remember a tester in the mid-90s doing a CO check on a Reliant Rebel. He was pointing at the 7.0% CO, while I was telling him it was too old for that part of the test.

Turning up with a car exempt from seat belts usually have them thumbing through the book for the dates (which are different between cars/goods/three-wheelers).
Or with a pre 1st August 1980 without a chassis/VIN plate.
Or with a pre 1st August 1978 with one rear view mirror.