import's and mot immision tests
Discussion
apparently according to my mechanic who did mot yesterday import 5's are not in the vosa book for imission tests so they are tested on a default base figure (which means they will always pass)his words not mine ,he also said 92'onwards cars have to have cat fitted (uk law ) but as the inports were not designed for uk market you can remove cat without any problems (his words again) if this is the case the cat is gonner get the bullet and say hello to more go!!!!!!
on another note mazda must have built a good car , 14 years old straight through last 3 mots not even had any advisory's ,happy days!!
sorry if this is a re-post but seemed good info to share.
on another note mazda must have built a good car , 14 years old straight through last 3 mots not even had any advisory's ,happy days!!
sorry if this is a re-post but seemed good info to share.
AFAIK, any import <= 1994 does not have to have a cat for the emissions test.
At least, my 94 Eunos is decatted and has clearly been put through the non CAT test in the past.
Not sure decatting makes much difference on a '5 anyway, bar it being a fair bit louder (and, obviously, killing lots more seals and polar bears).
At least, my 94 Eunos is decatted and has clearly been put through the non CAT test in the past.
Not sure decatting makes much difference on a '5 anyway, bar it being a fair bit louder (and, obviously, killing lots more seals and polar bears).
bluetone said:
Good link, thanks. Might need to print that out and show my tester if they start getting akward about it. 
I don't think an MOT tester can get awkward about it as long as the car is correctly registered as a Mazda/Eunos Roadster. All they do is tap the reg no into the computer and it tells them what the car is and what the emissions should be. I don't think they get a chance to disagree with the computer.
MX-5 Lazza said:
I don't think an MOT tester can get awkward about it as long as the car is correctly registered as a Mazda/Eunos Roadster. All they do is tap the reg no into the computer and it tells them what the car is and what the emissions should be. I don't think they get a chance to disagree with the computer.
You'd think not wouldnt you, but I have heard stories of MOT testers putting them through as MX-5s and then getting arsey about it when you point out they actually arent MX-5s! They shouldn't I know, but there you go...Had this a few months ago with my 'roadster'. The guy tested it as an mx5, i argued the toss so the guy called a contact , i think at vosa. I was right- as mine is a '92 import it didnt need cat. The MOT regs refer to the tester needing to find an EXACT match (engine nubmer, chassis number etc), not just the first 4 letters of the VIN they punch into system as usual. As i understand it, on an import, they will not find an exact match so must test as an import (up to a certain age 1994(?)).
covmutley said:
My V5 says it was first registered outside the uk but refers to a mazda mx5 rather than eunos. Doesnt stop it being an import though.
Yeah, that's my problem, if the import process quoted the car as mazda mx5, then this will pop up on the VOSA computer. then it will be tested to the same spec as a Uk car. Will find out in March from my friendly local MOT garage. mines a '93, so will drop into the import/uk high/low spec hole ideally.dylan0451 said:
as far as i'm aware, the emissions cut off date was august 1992.
vehicles registered after that were/are required to meet a lower co and nox figure - there is no law that says you have to have a cat at all, however it obviously makes it easier to pass the regs with one
Yes. For UK cars. A Eunos Roadster is not a UK car so gets tested to a different standard.vehicles registered after that were/are required to meet a lower co and nox figure - there is no law that says you have to have a cat at all, however it obviously makes it easier to pass the regs with one
Failed test without the cat my mecchanic argued that the car was in import and not in the emmissions book but it did not stick.
My synopsis would be: It may be possible to get your car through an Emmissions test without cat if the tester is lenient, But i shan't be attempting it again.
My synopsis would be: It may be possible to get your car through an Emmissions test without cat if the tester is lenient, But i shan't be attempting it again.
You shouldn't need to do any of that. The MOT guy should be able to enter the cars VIN into the computer and see for himself whether the car is a UK car or an import.
ETA: that's not to say you shouldn't do that though - if it helps.
ETA: that's not to say you shouldn't do that though - if it helps.
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Tuesday 29th September 11:52
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