bambisdad Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 Yes I know that this has been discussed in various forms before, but I have never really seen a definitive answer. Is it a legal requirement to have a catalytic converter on a 2JZGE engine? My friendly MOT man says that while he will happily give my car a certificate (a long-standing family friend) which is an NA/T, he does say that a catalytic converter should not be missing when one was fitted as standard. However, in the MOT inspection manual which I have trawled through tonight off the VOSA website, in section 7.1 The Exhaust System it states that; On vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test, check the presence of the catalytic converter. Since a pre July 1995 does not require a full cat emissions test, is it therefore exempt from having a catalytic converter? For those of you who have not fallen asleep reading this, I know it sounds a bit anal but it really is bugging me. I would like to know how other members interpret the ruling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted September 20, 2012 Share Posted September 20, 2012 (edited) Pre 95 N/A doesn't require a full cat emissions test, but must appear to have a cat. You can either knock the guts out of a real one, or buy a fake weld-on cat heat-shield from Austec. Edited September 23, 2012 by David P (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee_e Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Friendly MOT man.. OR I just stick a cat back in the day before the test and whack it out the day after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delboy52 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Wasn't there some detail about engines that are not domestic to the UK are treated as pre-cat if it's 95 or older? My 94 car with a 93 engine doesn't have cats and it got through all the tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 If it's an import then Vosa hold no vehicle specific data, therefore subject to pre 92 test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I've refitted the cat for my MOT, and wouldn't want to risk it without, just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I think reality is regarded as an illusion by some? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Just had to teach the MOT tester how to do his job this morning regarding the same point, after wrongly doing a cat emissions test on my car yesterday and failing it. The rule is that if the car was registered/used before 1st August 1995 and the exact car model isn't listed on their database then it should have a non CAT test. This flow chart from the MOT manual explains it very clearly. http://imageshack.us/a/img404/7559/picture1sf.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Mine was tested last week. First registered in June 1995 so wasn't required to have a full cat test. Didn't bother fitting either back in and she passed no problems....but I did pull a shed load of fuel out of the low RPMs using my Apexi SAFC! At least its useful for something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Just had to teach the MOT tester how to do his job this morning regarding the same point, after wrongly doing a cat emissions test on my car yesterday and failing it. The rule is that if the car was registered/used before 1st August 1995 and the exact car model isn't listed on their database then it should have a non CAT test. This flow chart from the MOT manual explains it very clearly. http://imageshack.us/a/img404/7559/picture1sf.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 I've refitted the cat for my MOT, and wouldn't want to risk it without, just in case. Yes, me too. Just had to teach the MOT tester how to do his job this morning regarding the same point, after wrongly doing a cat emissions test on my car yesterday and failing it. The rule is that if the car was registered/used before 1st August 1995 and the exact car model isn't listed on their database then it should have a non CAT test. This flow chart from the MOT manual explains it very clearly. http://imageshack.us/a/img404/7559/picture1sf.jpg You say that, but my previously friendly MOT station would've failed mine this time as I didn't have it fitted. Luckily I always popped it in the car just in case, and now it's permanent until I can find an alternative. I like the Austec idea from DavidP, but after a test, it would still fail as the emissions cannot be faked. Mine is a 1993 J-Spec TT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 You say that, but my previously friendly MOT station would've failed mine this time as I didn't have it fitted. Luckily I always popped it in the car just in case, and now it's permanent until I can find an alternative.. A 1993 J-spec TT is not on the VOSA/MOT list of car makes/models and it was used before 1st August 1995 so it should have a non CAT emissions test, which as I understand it from reading the manual means it does not need a cat fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delboy52 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 The guide says use the VIN plate to get an exact match on the engine. If it can't be read after normal cleaning or scraping, treat it as a non-cat car... Gets a little more interesting with a non standard engine like what I have, or this guy with a VIN plate that says 1.0 engine installed If your car has no cat installed, is pre-July 95, and has an engine that was not available in this country it should be tested as a non-cat vehicle. If it happens to have a cat installed at the time of the test, it gets the test with cat-installed tolerance settings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 A 1993 J-spec TT is not on the VOSA/MOT list of car makes/models and it was used before 1st August 1995 so it should have a non CAT emissions test, which as I understand it from reading the manual means it does not need a cat fitted. All I was told that if it originally had a CAT installed from new, it should be on for the test, and I have to go along with that now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraDan24 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 My car has both the 1st and 2nd decat pipes, but still has a CAT on it lol. Figure that one out I've never had any problems passing the emissions test's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Even without cats in mine, it was only just above the limit on the 'high idle' test. I thought they'd let me off, but alas, no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkddav3 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 friendly mot tester win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 friendly mot tester win Correct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Its amazing what happens with the readings after I kick the probe out the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suprab1 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Cars that are registered before 95 might be tested at idle but not high rpm. Pre 95 needs no cat & will pass idle emissions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 friendly mot tester win MOT tester! Bigger win! Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Budz86 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Even without cats in mine, it was only just above the limit on the 'high idle' test. I thought they'd let me off, but alas, no more. When was yours registered mate? And when's the test due? I've just had mine done at Serious Performance Autos on Eastbourne Road, behind Rossetts Mercedes garage. Only £30 and they do loads of work on Skylines and a few other Jap cars. Let me know if you want their number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Yes, that would be great. Thanks Dean MOT due next May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham1984 Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 MOT tester! Bigger win! Lol Bravo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjy Posted September 21, 2012 Share Posted September 21, 2012 Talking of which, I suppose I should put another 12 months on it for it just to sit there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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