Which year did catalytic converters become a requirement?

[BlueSmoke]

As above, which year is the last one where you can remove a cat if you choose?

[mat205125]

Catalytic converters are not a requirement, however your car must passed the relevant emissions levels for its age. In reality, that is next to impossible without a cat.

I believe that the last cars to escape the more stringent emissions levels were registered 1993/K, however wait to be corrected.

[RacingTeatray]

I had this issue the other day with my Merc, which is a 1992"K". I was forced to put sports cats on when the originals went as I couldn't legall decat it - apparently 1992 is the cut-off.

This has been discussed before. I'll see if I can find the thread.

[RacingTeatray]

Here you go:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[B'stard Child]

Under normal circumstances 1992 J or older is the limit for decatiing a cat equiped car and having no issues with MOT

However - imports sometimes get away with it for longer and there are other ways round it but far easier to stay pre K plate

[ARH]

imports generally don't need them till 1996, and kit cars only need them if the engine is later than 1992.

[LuS1fer]

1992 but it's a question of emissions. My friend's C5 Z06 has passed at least two MOTs since blowing it's cats out and they've never been replaced, but it still looks like he has them....

[Marf]

ARH said:

imports generally don't need them till 1996, and kit cars only need them if the engine is later than 1992.

August 1995 is the cut off for imports, and only imports that do not have a UK equivalent car to test against, which there are few of. Otherwise its 1992.

[Marf]

LuS1fer said:

1992 but it's a question of emissions. My friend's C5 Z06 has passed at least two MOTs since blowing it's cats out and they've never been replaced, but it still looks like he has them....

Yep, the test is on emissions, not whether you have a cat fitted. If your car can pass the test without one, you're fine.

[Marquis_Rex]

Marf said:

LuS1fer said:

1992 but it's a question of emissions. My friend's C5 Z06 has passed at least two MOTs since blowing it's cats out and they've never been replaced, but it still looks like he has them....

Yep, the test is on emissions, not whether you have a cat fitted. If your car can pass the test without one, you're fine.

The confusion lies here.

The MOT emissions levels are easy to pass- especially at 1992/3 levels. It doesnt suprise me that a car with the cats blown out could pass- certainly was the case for a friend of mine in California.

However the stringent emissions standards that manufacturers are expected to pass and get through-year for year would be almost impossible to pass for them- and therefore to release the car.

[Marf]

Yup, its a pisser as my MR2 Turbo was manufactured November 1995 according to the VIN plate, so I just missed the cut off. Its decatted, so I guess I'll find out come next April how it fares.

[LuS1fer]

Marquis_Rex said:

Marf said:

LuS1fer said:

1992 but it's a question of emissions. My friend's C5 Z06 has passed at least two MOTs since blowing it's cats out and they've never been replaced, but it still looks like he has them....

Yep, the test is on emissions, not whether you have a cat fitted. If your car can pass the test without one, you're fine.

The confusion lies here.

The MOT emissions levels are easy to pass- especially at 1992/3 levels. It doesnt suprise me that a car with the cats blown out could pass- certainly was the case for a friend of mine in California.

However the stringent emissions standards that manufacturers are expected to pass and get through-year for year would be almost impossible to pass for them- and therefore to release the car.

True. His is a 2003 car but the American cars really do have low emissions, MOT-wise.

[GreenV8S]

Note that the significant cut-off date (Jan 1st 1993 AIUI) is the date that the chassis number was assigned. This may be some months before the car is first registered.