Illegal Modified Cars

[bobhowe]

Hi i have started this thread about people removing DPF /Cats from there cars to improve performance as was discussed in the Electric Car thread . A few people have said its theft and it does happen but when the car is presented for a MOT it a failure full stop no excuses will it pass mate no . A MOT tester would not pass a car with rotten brake pipes bald tyres play in ball joints so why would they pass a car with a removed DPF /Cat ? and if that car was involved in an accident the insurance would be void as no insurance company would insure you for a car with a modification like that kind regards Bob

[AdrianPH]

Perhaps you may want to read this site. by-pass pipes are not fitted now, but the dpf removed from within the existing canister and resealed.
https://avontuning.co.uk/blog/dpf-remova...ss-or-fail
Adrian

[bobhowe]

Hi Adrian if the original canister is fitted and there is evidence that it has been cut open and welded back up is a pass and advise if a mot station offers this service they will be closed down . Trading standards were supposed to get involved about garages that have been offering this service and taking action not heard of any been carried out . in Spain there MOT ( ITVE ) from 2018 they would plug a computer in the cars OBD socket to see if any cheating to cars warning lamps that have been carried out and since 2018 and they do a sound check on exhausts as well . Not many mopeds now that sound like a bee in a biscuit tin as they have to go though an ITVE now with sound checks as well kind regards Bob

[Murphyv310]

Funny how some people will argue that their diesel has a working DPF and its blatantly been opened up and the ECU reprogrammed.
The MOT manual is freely downloadable and it is clear.
Also the fitting of aftermarket LED bulbs is illegal as they have no "E" classification.
Funny isn't it that drivers only ever look at the highway code when learning and don't keep up to date.
I've just read through the 2021 reprint like we all should and I wonder who keeps up with the latest MOT regs?

Oh and since February it's illegal to fit tyres over 10 years old on vehicles over 3500kg

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspecti...l-vehicles

[bobhowe]

Funny how some people will argue that their diesel has a working DPF and its blatantly been opened up and the ECU reprogrammed.
The MOT manual is freely downloadable and it is clear.
Also the fitting of aftermarket LED bulbs is illegal as they have no "E" classification.
Funny isn't it that drivers only ever look at the highway code when learning and don't keep up to date.
I've just read through the 2021 reprint like we all should and I wonder who keeps up with the latest MOT regs?

Oh and since February it's illegal to fit tyres over 10 years old on vehicles over 3500kg

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspecti...l-vehicles

Hi Trevor that is another reason why i retired early as the goal posts were been moved to much you can fail a car on drivers view with a magic tree air freshener hanging of the interior mirror but you cant fail a Nissan Micra on a rotten front X member .The testers manual is now wrote by some spotty faced collage kids which dont have a clue even the VE who would visit testing stations to check standards every 6 months ( pre covid ) got sick as well and left the DVSA i could write a book about MOTs the public and constant changes what i can tell you this will be the future change that all tyres have to be the same make on the same axle this was bought in to Spain in 2006 give you an example tyres the same size speed ratings nearside front Good Year offside front Michelin nearside rear Avon offside rear Dunlop you would have to change 2 makes in Spain . Imagine the hassle when this is bought in kind regards Bob

[Kalee20]

Also the fitting of aftermarket LED bulbs is illegal as they have no "E" classification.

That's probably true, but illegal on a technicality only... if a brake light comes on when it's supposed to, gives out the right amount of light and the light distribution is OK, who's going to check whether it is guzzling 21W of power to do so, or 1.8W because it's LED based?

Whereas removing catalytic converters or DPF's is definitely not in the spirit of the regs, which are aimed at keeping the atmosphere fit-to-breathe.

[boater sam]

Since January 2021 any 13 pin trailer socket must be wired completely to the correct standard else its a fail but does not apply to a 7 pin socket!
I believe this applies whether there is a tow ball fitted or not.

[bobhowe]

Yes Sam if you put masking tape over it or cable tie the socket behind the rear bumper pass and advise . It was not all doom and gloom before i retired and the VE left the DVSA he would come in and check a car that i have just tested ( usually he would be round the corner and he would know when you had logged on & come in 5 minutes before you are finished they know you average time ) & on one occasion i had a visit and there had been no mots in yet he asked me the time the first MOT was due and he gave me the heads up what there are catching people out he came back just i was doing the paper work i left the car on the ramp for him to check & told him results of the failure and he checked the car and agreed the results . He got sick of the workload as 2 other VE had left not been replaced MOT testers giving him grief & the public with appeal decisions . The DVSA advertised his job & only 1 person applied for the job kind regards Bob

[bobhowe]

Also the fitting of aftermarket LED bulbs is illegal as they have no "E" classification.

That's probably true, but illegal on a technicality only... if a brake light comes on when it's supposed to, gives out the right amount of light and the light distribution is OK, who's going to check whether it is guzzling 21W of power to do so, or 1.8W because it's LED based?

Whereas removing catalytic converters or DPF's is definitely not in the spirit of the regs, which are aimed at keeping the atmosphere fit-to-breathe.

Hi kalee20 what Trevor means is aftermarket HID & LED headlamp bulb kits as if fitted as standard it would have DCR marked on the headlamp and it should have headlamp washers and self levelling device this is to stop fitting of cheap imported kits that dont give out the correct beam pattern or Dazzle other road users and people damaging headlamps fitting these kits kind regards Bob

[peter scott]

Oh and since February it's illegal to fit tyres over 10 years old on vehicles over 3500kg

What car would weigh over 3500kg?



Peter