How loud before a car fails a MoT?

[Jonathan Legard]

Any testers/knowledgeable peeps know the answer to this one? I can't recall whether the MoT has a nose test.

EU legislation features a drive-by noise reading (hence throttle butterfly valves etc) but it would be interesting to know whether these limits are due to be stepped down over the forthcoming years. In short, will cars have to get a lot quieter?

I guess this came about listening for the supercar parade at Goodwood FoS. It's now mainly just a series of swooshes.

Edited by Jonathan Legard on Thursday 19th May 16:16

[denniswise9]

My old car failed on exhaust noise...

I took it back to the place that fitted the sports exhaust and they stuck an MOT on it.

Not sure this helps you but thought I would say anyway.

[Vixpy1]

If its 'excessivly loud' in the opion of the tester

[Marf]

Vixpy1 said:

If its 'excessivly loud' in the opion of the tester

Yup, totally subjective and down to the tester.

[Mr E]

Marf said:

Vixpy1 said:

If its 'excessivly loud' in the opion of the tester

Yup, totally subjective and down to the tester.

My old car used to get a round of applause...

[Vixpy1]

Mr E said:

My old car used to get a round of applause...

My tester is deaf

[350Wedge]

Vixpy1 said:

My tester is deaf

My tester WILL be deaf after Saturday!

[mcford]

The method of inspection is:

Assess subjectively the effectiveness of the silencer in reducing exhaust noise to a level considered to be average for the vehicle. Note: The level of exhaust noise should be assessed at all engine speeds required for the exhaust emissions check.

The fail criteria is:

A silencer in such condition, or of such a type, that the noise emitted from the vehicle is clearly unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle with a standard silencer in average condition.

So it's quite subjective and dependant to an extent on a testers previous experience with that car model.