Removal of pre-cats now illegal

[Chilliman]

Apologies if this is old news to you guys, but I've just had my BGT MOT'd and whilst having a general chat with the testing guy about my Chim engine rebuild he advised me that a recent law has been introduced that allows a tester to fail a car if a cat has been removed, or if (think this bit is right) he believes a cat has been removed. In simple terms it's a case of if the car was manufactured with cats and has had one/two whater removed then it can fail the MOT regardless of whether it passes the emissions test. Yes, I know they can't tell just by looking, and I'm also only the messenger so please don't shoot me...

[350Matt]

I wouldn't worry about this - if it passes the emissions test then its a pass

[Milky400]

Have seen this on the Volvo Forum about new MOT regs, Interesting reading and quite worrying for many of us. engine management, ABS and Air bag bulbs will be being removed from many many cars im sure as of January 2012


"Copied from UKFN (ANDY G) mot tester for ford

Tonight I attended what is known as an MOT seminar, basically the head honchos from VOSA go to each area, and talk about the MOT scheme, including changes to the test.

As I said in the thread about the new EU directive, as soon as I knew what was changing in the MOT test I would post it up. These changes are to be brought into the test on 1st January 2012, not before. So here goes...

Steering lock operation - Steering locks not engaging when the ignition key is removed will fail.
Engine warning lamps, brake fluid warning lamps, ESP lamps, EPB lamps illumination - ANY of the above illuminated indicating a fault will fail.TPMS (Tyre pressure monitoring systems) warning lamps - Again, if illuminated indicating a fault, will fail.Airbag/SRS lamp illumination - If this warning lamp is illuminated it will fail.
HID Headlamps - Now, a little grey area here. They will be included in the new test, and will fail if they prove to be outside of the specified conditions... but the conditions and reasons for rejections haven't been written/decided yet, so sit tight.
Wiring - Any wiring (loomed or otherwise) that is damaged, or fitted in such a way that could cause damage to said wiring, or other systems will fail.
Engine mountings - Engine mountings will be a part of the test. incorrect mounting, corrosion in a prescribed area etc will fail.
PAS (Power assisted steering) fluid level will be tested.
Rear doors must open in the new test. Previously (and currently), if the tester feels he can access the testable items in the rear (seatbelts, prescribed areas etc) without needing the doors open, they don't need to open. This will now be a failure.
13 pin towbar sockets - tested for correct operation using a plug in testing tool.
Inappropriate modifications or repairs - The wording on this is quite vague at the moment, but if a major component has been modified, and that modification/repair makes the vehicle dangerous or seriously weakens the original component, expect it to fail.
ANY ball joint dust cover - The small rubber boots over ball joints must be intact and free or splits, tears or holes, or it fails.
All CVJ gaiters will be tested - Currently, only the front outer] CVJ gaiters are tested. This new rule extends it to inner and outer, front and rear.
A catalytic converter missing WILL be a reason for failure, regardless of whether or not the emissions limits are met.
Fuel pipe chaffing or damage - Currently they only fail when they are leaking, this rule means that any chaffing or rubbing causing damage will fail.
The braking imbalance limit is lowered to 30% across all axles.
Vehicles built post July 2010 will have to have at least 58% braking efficiency to pass (currently it's 50% for a dual circuit braking system)
Insecure batteries will become a failure
The main beam warning lamp must illuminate with the main beam lamps
All light switches must operate the corresponding lights immediately. No tapping, or wiggling to make it work!


Remember, these changes will all be brought into testing starting from the 1st January 2012. The exact wording of each failure has yet to be released, but the above list is what was presented to us earlier this evening. I've posted all I know currently, so unfortunately I can't help with any questions ."

[JonyTVR]

I thought these were to be recomended and hadnt been confirmed yet?

[V8 GRF]

I'd be surprised if MOT testers even know there are precats in the Griffith/Chimeara system. They were added to pass a requirement that never became law so apart from it being almost impossible to tell they'd been removed as understand it they have little or no effect on the emissions test.

Removal of the main cat is a totally different matter.

[Milky400]

Even with after market manifolds? although as you say assuming they knew the car had pre cats in the first place

[BIGMIKE1]

Milky400 said:

Have seen this on the Volvo Forum about new MOT regs, Interesting reading and quite worrying for many of us. engine management, ABS and Air bag bulbs will be being removed from many many cars im sure as of January 2012"

No use removing bulbs as the tester has to check they illuminate when the ignition is turned on!
Can't see pre-cats being a problem as the tester couldn't tell without dismantling, they would be checking that there is a cat in place(main cat) and otherwise as long as passed the emmisions test they're wouldnt be a problem.

[Milky400]

So are you saying that if the bulb doesn't illuminate it will fail? is this a definate? the only reason i ask is that my dads car has had the air bag fault so the light is flashing, i have removed the bulb so will it now fail an MOT as of 2012?

[JonyTVR]

Milky400 said:

So are you saying that if the bulb doesn't illuminate it will fail? is this a definate? the only reason i ask is that my dads car has had the air bag fault so the light is flashing, I have removed the bulb so will it now fail an MOT as of 2012?

yes, wether or not the tester picks it up though is another matter. same with ABS.

[jagracer]

Chilliman said:

Apologies if this is old news to you guys, but I've just had my BGT MOT'd and whilst having a general chat with the testing guy about my Chim engine rebuild he advised me that a recent law has been introduced that allows a tester to fail a car if a cat has been removed, or if (think this bit is right) he believes a cat has been removed. In simple terms it's a case of if the car was manufactured with cats and has had one/two whater removed then it can fail the MOT regardless of whether it passes the emissions test. Yes, I know they can't tell just by looking, and I'm also only the messenger so please don't shoot me...

There's nothing new about this, it's been the same ever since I became a tester 6 years ago. It all depends whether the tester notices if they are missing.

[tonys]

I suspect that the only way the tester would know would be if the actual cat 'box' had obviously been removed, ie a straight piece of pipe substitued, on a system where the cat is in a separate and obvious silencer box. I can't see how a tester could tell in the case of the RV8 in the Chims/Griffs.