How do people run decats?
Discussion
Hi chaps, a decat would be ideal for my car, more noise, way cheaper than a sports cat and allows natural crackles to my car.
However i am aware of all the illegalities of it.
I understand people use a friendly mot tester which i have, however has anyone ever had a decat and written their car off? Do they void your policy seeing as decats are illegal?
Im with a modified insurance broker and i declare all mods, decat probably would come under exhaust system changes but i dont know where you would stand in a crash?
However i am aware of all the illegalities of it.
I understand people use a friendly mot tester which i have, however has anyone ever had a decat and written their car off? Do they void your policy seeing as decats are illegal?
Im with a modified insurance broker and i declare all mods, decat probably would come under exhaust system changes but i dont know where you would stand in a crash?
Baldchap said:
So what you're asking is: Is it legal to do something illegal, and if I do do something illegal, how do I make it legal?
theres tons of people out there with decats, just wondering what happens to them in a crash, im guessing they get a payout still as have never heard otherwise? youtubers just blatently state they are running one. Unless the decat was responsible for the crash then I don't see any issues provided it's declared under exhaust system changes.
If in doubt then fit a heatshield protector over where the stock cat would go so it looks like you have one or if you have the same tubing size then keep the system and knock out the OEM cat monolith.
If in doubt then fit a heatshield protector over where the stock cat would go so it looks like you have one or if you have the same tubing size then keep the system and knock out the OEM cat monolith.
I havent done it but did think about it and it sounds a bit of a pain really.
I think, aside from the insurance side, the MOT is the main issue, swapping the cat in and out prior to taking it in can be labour intensive, what I think happens is either the archetypal "Freindly" MOT man sorts it, probably by owners sending the cat in and paying to swap it in and back out over the duration of the MOT, which in actual fact nobody can be remotely arsed with so the Decatted cars emissions end up looking suspiciously like a 2014 Polo 1.2 that happened to be in for MOT the same day.
I think if your insurance says on it "Modified Exhaust", the average insurance inspector will just clock that and see an aftermarket exhaust tip and check no further, I dont think insurance companies are all that fussed whether its a Cobra, Janspeed or whatever, not bothered whether its a mid box delete, resonated or not and all the other options, thye just see modified exhaust = possibly a knobhead, load premium accordingly
I think, aside from the insurance side, the MOT is the main issue, swapping the cat in and out prior to taking it in can be labour intensive, what I think happens is either the archetypal "Freindly" MOT man sorts it, probably by owners sending the cat in and paying to swap it in and back out over the duration of the MOT, which in actual fact nobody can be remotely arsed with so the Decatted cars emissions end up looking suspiciously like a 2014 Polo 1.2 that happened to be in for MOT the same day.
I think if your insurance says on it "Modified Exhaust", the average insurance inspector will just clock that and see an aftermarket exhaust tip and check no further, I dont think insurance companies are all that fussed whether its a Cobra, Janspeed or whatever, not bothered whether its a mid box delete, resonated or not and all the other options, thye just see modified exhaust = possibly a knobhead, load premium accordingly
Do you need a CAT ?
IF YOU CAN pass the emissions testing there is nothing says you have to have a CAT.
But I tried it once with an empty cat box (I was skint and the Ceramic fell apart blocking the exhaust, so i poked all the Ceramic out with a pole)
It was close but i could not pass the emissions test and MOT man was somewhat amused by my admission.
IF YOU CAN pass the emissions testing there is nothing says you have to have a CAT.
But I tried it once with an empty cat box (I was skint and the Ceramic fell apart blocking the exhaust, so i poked all the Ceramic out with a pole)
It was close but i could not pass the emissions test and MOT man was somewhat amused by my admission.
Pit Pony said:
Do you need a CAT ?
IF YOU CAN pass the emissions testing there is nothing says you have to have a CAT.
But I tried it once with an empty cat box (I was skint and the Ceramic fell apart blocking the exhaust, so i poked all the Ceramic out with a pole)
It was close but i could not pass the emissions test and MOT man was somewhat amused by my admission.
I thought that had changed with the latest MOT rules which include: "8.2.1 a.Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer: missing, obviously modified or obviously defective" as a Major and hence a fail. IF YOU CAN pass the emissions testing there is nothing says you have to have a CAT.
But I tried it once with an empty cat box (I was skint and the Ceramic fell apart blocking the exhaust, so i poked all the Ceramic out with a pole)
It was close but i could not pass the emissions test and MOT man was somewhat amused by my admission.
Byker28i said:
J4CKO said:
... swapping the cat in and out prior to taking it in can be labour intensive...
30 mins in, 30 mins out againi have done quite a lot of stuff with exhausts over the years to know I dont like doing anything with exhausts if I can help it, and I am fairly handy with a spanner, a lot of folk wont even consider it and will tell the garage to do it and realistically, how many will actually go through the rigmarole of doing that when all it needs is an emissions probe sticking in another car ?
I think most MOT testers are willing to overlook or fudge things like decats, dodgy plates etc and just record something like "car present and correct but show plates, decat pipe in the boot". As long as the car isn't a fail on safety grounds.
Worked in the motortrade and have plenty of friends still in it and never known any tester kick off or refuse to test / pass a car with a decat.
Don't know how regularly places are spot checked. I know someone had a close call before as they were told by the tester to come and get their decatted etc car ASAP and that it was parked in a business over the road as the VOSA guy had turned up unannounced and he is allowed to reinspect any car still in their yard.
Worked in the motortrade and have plenty of friends still in it and never known any tester kick off or refuse to test / pass a car with a decat.
Don't know how regularly places are spot checked. I know someone had a close call before as they were told by the tester to come and get their decatted etc car ASAP and that it was parked in a business over the road as the VOSA guy had turned up unannounced and he is allowed to reinspect any car still in their yard.
Dr Doofenshmirtz said:
The 'friendly MOT tester' thing is a bit outdated IMO. VOSA have got a lot tougher in recent years and can and do carry out spot checks. I'd be very surprised in an MOT Man/garage would be willing risk it all just to help you?
The guy I've been using for 10 years 4 times a year, understands 3 things.I want him to tell me if it's dangerous.
I dont want him to get into trouble.
I dont expect favours.
He passed one of our cars the other week, whilst telling me that really it should fail on rear pad thickness and made me promise on my mother's life to do it asap.
The same afternoon, i spent 17 quid on pads to find that there was 50% of the pad left.
Ah well, can't always be perfect.
J4CKO said:
Byker28i said:
J4CKO said:
... swapping the cat in and out prior to taking it in can be labour intensive...
30 mins in, 30 mins out againi have done quite a lot of stuff with exhausts over the years to know I dont like doing anything with exhausts if I can help it, and I am fairly handy with a spanner, a lot of folk wont even consider it and will tell the garage to do it and realistically, how many will actually go through the rigmarole of doing that when all it needs is an emissions probe sticking in another car ?
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