What cars are obliged to have cats fitted?

[Noodles 4.2]

Do you know how I can confirm whether a car is legally obliged to have a cat? The car in question is a VW Corrado. It was declared manufactured in 1992 and imported from Germany.

Is it legal to take the existing cat off?

Tony

Edited for crap spelling

>>> Edited by Noodles 4.2 on Wednesday 29th January 12:07

>>> Edited by Noodles 4.2 on Wednesday 29th January 12:07

[Eric Mc]

My understanding is that all new cars registered in the UK from 1988 onwards had to have Catalytic converters fitted from new. Kit cars were exempted in certain circumstance (my 1996 Caterham 7 Classic does not need one). Many people remove the Cat for everyday use but have them re-fitted when it's time for the annual MOT.

[Podie]

It became mandatory (and therefore an MOT requirement) to have a Cat fitted from 96/N... anything before can have it lopped off IIRC...

[NikB]

Bit of a grey area this one. I have removed the cats on my car, but they get bolted back in for the MOT. The insurance company knows that I have a full performance exhaust back to the manifold. But I do not know where this leaves you in relation to the laws. Can a copper do you for this?

Nik

[danhay]

I think it's only an emissions requirement, and a cat is the commonest way to clean up the exhaust???

Early Porsche 928s have an air pump which dilutes the exhaust gasses to make them appear cleaner...that's cheating surely!

[Noodles 4.2]

I don't think a copper would do you.

Sort of discussed here - www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=13&h=0&t=25985

[NikB]

The emissions issue is the other problem. I was warned when I decatted that there are mobile emissions test units that will fine you one the spot if your emission are over the limits. I have never seen one and the bloke who warned me hadn't either!

Nik

[Beano500]

Thought it was 1/1/93:

"introduction of strict new European Community standards, for all new cars produced in the European Community from January 1993."
from:
www.ace.mmu.ac.uk/Resources/Fact_Sheets/Key_Stage_4/Climate_Change/26.html

And some more: "Emissions
Vehicles sold in several parts of the world (especially the Middle East, Africa and South America) often do not meet European emissions standards. Please note that petrol-fuelled cars manufactured from August 1992, and other vehicles manufactured from August 1994, might be required to meet a standard that can usually only be achieved by a catalytic converter. Details of vehicles needing to meet such a standard may be found in "In Service Exhaust Emissions Standards for Road Vehicles" which is available from The Vehicle Inspectorate, Berkley House, Croydon Street, Bristol, BS5 0DA. All passenger cars with up to 5 passengers seats and up to 2,500kg gross weight manufactured from August 1995will need to meet the "catalyst" emission standard to pass SVA / ESVA." at:
www.roads.dft.gov.uk/vehicle/sva/pi5/02.htm

[Noodles 4.2]

Thanks Beano.

[phil hill]

Beano500 said: Thought it was 1/1/93:

I'm with Beano on this. In the mini fraternity cars registered between '90 and '93 were 2-way cat equiped with carbs, so best part of pointless anyway. You can let the cat out as it were if the car was manufactured before 1/1/93 or (I think) declared new at point of registration before 1/8/93.

However, if you have changed the engine in the vehicle, and can prove the engine comes from an older vehicle, the emission test applicable to for age of the engine applies. Hmmm, so how do you prove that then ?? Just another vaguery of the MoT......

[funkihamsta]

Ooh what if its an old car with an engine newer than aug 1992? Surely it applies purely to the registration date of said vehicle. Anything more is really rather pointless.

What if your engine is made from parts of all ages? Can have a straight through on every second tuesday?

[JMGS4]

Jaguars?????

[v8guinness]

If it left the factory with a cat then to pass a UK MOT it needs the cat, they look up the type of car from the chassis number and so know if it left the factory with a cat, different tests for cars with and without (idle or fast idle)...
Any car which cannot pass an MOT now is not legal on the road, its just your not usually checked on these things till MOT time, so if the Police pulled you they could in theory prosicute, not likely though...
(all IIRC)

[kevinday]

JMGS4 said: Jaguars?????

Ford Puma and Cheetah as well

Edited to add: Not to forget Lynx and Cougar cars as well.


>> Edited by kevinday on Friday 31st January 10:43