MOT and Emissions

[polus]

Can anybody clear this up - discussion recently...

Say I got stopped 2 weeks after an MOT. Car in good coniditon except for failing a road side emissions test. I have MOT cert. with emissions figures within tolerances.

Is it correct that the rk/driver could get fined?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/336622.stm

Its not happened to me or anyone I know; just wondering as it seems out of order.

Edited by polus on Thursday 19th July 21:10

[TPS]

Check your mot certificate and you will see it clearly states......An mot test pass confirms that,when tested the vehicle was examined in accordance with section 45 of the road traffic act 1988,it met the minimum legal requirements for those items prescribed under the act.

And the importent bit

It does not mean that the vehicle fully meets all legal requirements or that it will continue to be roadworthy for the next year.It is your responsibility to keep the vehicle maintained so that it would always meet mot standards.

So two weeks after it could fail on something and it would be the drivers fault.Although you would hope it would pass on its emmissions test there is no guarantee.

[polus]

Unless theres black smoke pouring out the back how am I to know if the emissions have gone over the legal limit... Tyres, lights, brakes and suspension can all be tested but emissions? Who in the hell has a mobile emissions testers to do test the car each Sunday?

Thanks for the input though

Edited by polus on Thursday 19th July 21:54

[Streetlife TV]

its a hazy one if you ask me, its luck of the draw if you get pulled and get tested on the side of the road.

[sultanbrown]

Refuse the test on the grounds that you are worried that damage might occur to your car. Then get a re-test () to hand in the next fourteen days.

[aw51 121565]

Are the people doing the roadside tests yer actual MoT Testers, or trained to MoT Tester standards?

I would suggest not...

A diesel engine may have trouble passing the MoT exhaust emissions test if it (the engine) is 'cold'. The engine oil has to be at a temperature of at least 60C. Do the roadside testers know this? Then there's a specific procedure once the engine oil is warm enough...

I am guessing the OP's car is diesel-engined?

[sultanbrown]

aw51 121565 said:

Are the people doing the roadside tests yer actual MoT Testers, or trained to MoT Tester standards?

I would suggest not...

A diesel engine may have trouble passing the MoT exhaust emissions test if it (the engine) is 'cold'. The engine oil has to be at a temperature of at least 60C. Do the roadside testers know this? Then there's a specific procedure once the engine oil is warm enough...

I am guessing the OP's car is diesel-engined?

It will be VOSA, and petrol engined cars will often fail when cold.

[mybrainhurts]

Do they ever stop buses for emissions tests...?

Why not...?

[LeoSayer]

mybrainhurts said:

Do they ever stop buses for emissions tests...?

Why not...?

Health and safety

[Mr E]

sultanbrown said:

Refuse the test on the grounds that you are worried that damage might occur to your car. Then get a re-test () to hand in the next fourteen days.

Are we allowed to do that?

[chockymonster]

Mr E said:

sultanbrown said:

Refuse the test on the grounds that you are worried that damage might occur to your car. Then get a re-test () to hand in the next fourteen days.

Are we allowed to do that?

Yes,

you can refuse a roadside test and get the car tested at an MOT station in the next 14 days.

[esselte]

mybrainhurts said:

Do they ever stop buses for emissions tests...?

Why not...?

Aren't buses exempt for some reason....?

[aw51 121565]

sultanbrown said:

aw51 121565 said:

Are the people doing the roadside tests yer actual MoT Testers, or trained to MoT Tester standards?

I would suggest not...

A diesel engine may have trouble passing the MoT exhaust emissions test if it (the engine) is 'cold'. The engine oil has to be at a temperature of at least 60C. Do the roadside testers know this? Then there's a specific procedure once the engine oil is warm enough...

I am guessing the OP's car is diesel-engined?

It will be VOSA, and petrol engined cars will often fail when cold.

I meant 'local authority' staff than VOSA to be honest. I guess those days are over now, or do local authorities still have staff that stop cars and test their emissions?

[cmsapms]

Just one more benefit of having a "Q" plate.

You can drag the tester round the front (or back) of the car, point at the plate and say "fk off, jobsworth!". Then get back in and drive away!

[ewenm]

chockymonster said:

Mr E said:

sultanbrown said:

Refuse the test on the grounds that you are worried that damage might occur to your car. Then get a re-test () to hand in the next fourteen days.

Are we allowed to do that?

Yes,

you can refuse a roadside test and get the car tested at an MOT station in the next 14 days.

At your own expense presumably..

[TripleS]

mybrainhurts said:

Do they ever stop buses for emissions tests...?

Why not...?

Maybe because a fair proportion of them would be off the road PDQ, judging by the smokey examples I often see.

Best wishes all,
Dave.