UK MOT Emissions Dates

[malcolm]

Does anyone have a link to a source of information on which MOT emissions testing and levels are relevant to cars built before 1991? I've had a search around and found a flowchart that seems relevant to 1991 onwards, but I'm struggling for pre-1991 information.

My 1984 car used to be tested for emissions before they introduced the new machines that are connected to the government, but since then they don't seem to test it for emissions. I'm wondering if there's been a rule change to protect the new sensitive equipment from my soot.

 

[rtbcomp]

It should be in here somewhere:

http://www.motuk.com/mot_manual/index.asp

 

[malcolm]

Tried that. There are a few sites that copy the MOT info, but none of them seem to copy the actual flowchart they all refer to that presumably has the information I'm after. I tried a few government websites too, but came away with the impression that the government assumes we are all thick and spends effort explaining things to us, but doesn't actually provide information.

I should be down at the MOT garage next week. I'll challenge them.

 

[malcolm]

Ornella the '65 Renault 4 has an MOT. Here are the regs for emissions:

Before 1 August 1975: A visual test for excessive smoke.
1 August 1975 to 1 August 1986: Limits are 4.5% CO and 1200ppm hydrocarbons.
1 August 1986 to 31 July 1992: Limits are 3.5% CO and 1200ppm hydrocarbons.
After 1st Aug 1992 you need a catalyst and my eyes glazed over at that point.

The tester checked a point about yellow coloured headlamps and I notice the categories and wording had changed significantly from the internet MOT manuals (which are not gov sites). The internet sites said you can have yellow headlamps so long as they both the same colour. The real MOT manual says you can have yellow light only if the headlamps themselves are yellowed (or similar). Probably means we can't take the internet sites info to the letter.

 

[michael1703]

dont know if its a recent change or not, but my girlfriends '78 mgb was'nt emmision tested in 2007, but it was in 2008

they said the limit was 4.0 % not 4.5

 

[danny-101]

i think your car only gets immision tested if it has a cat on it to check if the lander sensors are working ant that the cat is doing its job right

 

[general--lee]

malcom is right with dates, after 92 its tested at fast idle to .30% co and 200 hc and at tick over is .50% co and unlimited hc ,

it doesnt have to have a cat but it has to meet them limits there are wuite a few cars that will meet them with out a cat,

there is also a BET test which is a quicker version with lower co limit of .20% if it meets this its a lot quicker then going through the vehilce specific test,

after 92 it also test lambda too but generally if other readings ok then this will be ( this does not test lambda sensors but lambda gases)

i am a MOT tester but havent tested for 6 months as i have started up my own garage so i now take my cars for mot but i shouldnt think its changed in last 6 months ??????

 

[English Steve]

i think your car only gets immision tested if it has a cat on it to check if the lander sensors are working ant that the cat is doing its job right

No, that's not correct. My '86 landrover V8 was always emission tested (and always failed until I gassed it )- no cats on that, just a Rimmer full sports stainless system

 

[Arsonista]

"and always failed until I gassed it"

Wossat then??

 

[Wozzaaah]

LPG conversion?

 

[English Steve]

Sorry, yes LPG conversion. Cost £1000 inc the VAT, but paid for itself in 14 months (we only did about 6000 miles a year in it).
It's currently sitting on the drive awaiting an engine rebuild, but it's quite a long way down the list of projects

 

[Arsonista]

OK, thanks.