MOT failed - something doesn't seem right!

[DerBer]

Hi,

Wondering if you guys can help,

I have a 60 plate Peugeot 308 Envy with full service history (last being last year) and well looked after.

Yesterday she failed her MOT the reason unable to complete emissions test.

The mechanic said the emissions were off the scale so He couldn't run the test. I asked for a print out but He said He couldn't provide it as he couldn't run the test.

Does this seem right? Or should I still be able to have a reading? I'm worried he's trying to screw me for a huge bill.

Thanks in advance.

[CoolC]

Diesel or petrol?

[DerBer]

It's HDI Diesel

[aka_kerrly]

Give it some beans!! it must need a good blast - higher revs/lower gears to clear it out.

[DerBer]

Do you think it's worth getting it back giving it a good run and taking it somewhere else for a re test?

[996TT02]

One obvious question - did you not ask what the problem was, and/or how it needed to be fixed?

Otherwise you are just shooting ghosts.

[Earthdweller]

Italian tune up needed ... go give it some beans for a good half hour

[DerBer]

Yes I asked but mechanic said He would have to look at the car as He doesn't know what the problem might be and gave me no indication except that He would look at it on Monday. Apart from him not completing the emissions test it sailed through.

This is why I'm worried he's trying to screw for a large bill

[CoolC]

Does the car do mainly short low speed trips?

clogged up DPF?

[Mroad]

If it has a DPF then any visible smoke out the back is a fail which is possibly why the smoke test wasn't run.
For any diesel testing for MOT emissions (smoke) then a few good high revs runs once warmed up before hand is worthwhile plus injector cleaner in the tank.
I'm not saying it'll fix yours as they may be other mechanical issues causing it but every little helps.

[996TT02]

DerBer said:

Yes I asked but mechanic said He would have to look at the car as He doesn't know what the problem might be and gave me no indication except that He would look at it on Monday. Apart from him not completing the emissions test it sailed through.

This is why I'm worried he's trying to screw for a large bill

Well, there is no other option unless you know what is wrong with it.

Let him tell you and take it from there.

In the meantime try googling for any info on HDI problems causing MOT failures, maybe this is a common thing, no idea at all, but there are gazillions of cars with this engine, even a relatively uncommon issue should result in some hits.

[DerBer]

Mostly short trips but did lots of long trips st the end of last year.

[Ed/L152]

Keep it 4th at 70/80 on the motorway. (edit: not all the time, for about 20 minutes to get it properly hot)

Edited by Ed/L152 on Saturday 12th January 10:37

[CubanPete]

Earthdweller said:

Italian tune up needed ... go give it some beans for a good half hour

This.

[CS Garth]

Assuming it still has some ticket left on the old MOT then this won’t classify it as dangerous and the fail won’t invalidate the old ticket’s remaining time. Accordingly it’s still legal until the old MOt expires.

Assuming you can still drive it legally, I’d switch to shell v power diesel for a couple of tanks, perhaps use some millers additive, and then run it higher up the Rev range as other posters have said (that’s what an Italian tune up means).

Supermarket fuel and short runs are not the best of friends for emissions in my experience

[civicduty]

Is this the first time it has been tested under the new MOT regulations? Last year the limit would have been 3.0m-1 and your car is probably now 0.5m-1 post the changes.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-cha...

[Nickyboy]

CS Garth said:

Supermarket fuel and short runs are not the best of friends for emissions in my experience

bks, Supermarket fuel has no bearing on emissions whatsoever. Every car i've had over the past 25 years petrol and diesel has been run on predominantly supermarket fuel, never have i even had an advisory for emissions

[CS Garth]

Nickyboy said:

CS Garth said:

Supermarket fuel and short runs are not the best of friends for emissions in my experience

bks, Supermarket fuel has no bearing on emissions whatsoever. Every car i've had over the past 25 years petrol and diesel has been run on predominantly supermarket fuel, never have i even had an advisory for emissions

Note I said short runs. Do you mainly do short runs?

[Helicopter123]

CS Garth said:

Nickyboy said:

CS Garth said:

Supermarket fuel and short runs are not the best of friends for emissions in my experience

bks, Supermarket fuel has no bearing on emissions whatsoever. Every car i've had over the past 25 years petrol and diesel has been run on predominantly supermarket fuel, never have i even had an advisory for emissions

Note I said short runs. Do you mainly do short runs?

The MOT emmsion regs are tightened and will catch more out, short runs and cheap supermarket fuel not a combination especially with older engines.

[Old Merc]

I`ll go with the majority, give it a good thrashing. Use this https://www.forteuk.co.uk/product-detail/25/DPF-Cl... preferably with a low tank of fuel. Then go for a long,foot on the floor,low gear run.
The other alternative is to have the car hooked up to a "Power Clean" machine. Details can be found in the attached link.