decat systems

[DavidL]

I've been looking at new exhausts for a different car but something that has just come up may impact on my 944 plans and others who have done the same.
Apparently new MOT rules from Jan 2012 will state that if a cat was fitted as standard (my 90 944T has one) then if it is missing it will automatically fail, regardless of emissions.
Now I've only very recently been told that for a good free flow exhaust for my 944 the first thing to do is get rid of the cat. But that would now seem not to be good advice.
Also it impacts on those who already have a decatted system - are you going to have to go and buy another?

Anyone else come up against this?

 

[GlennS]

Whilst not doubting the veracity of your statement, I'd be interested to see your source. I've had a google search and only found other "I've been told that..." statements on forums, many of which are contradictory. I'd really like to see the official wording of the regulation change, not for my 944 which has a cat fitted, but with reference to my de-catted Golf.

 

[GlennS]

Ah... found it!

The 2012 MOT Inspection Manual http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf under section 7.1 point 3.

Method of Inspection
"On vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test, check the presence of the catalytic converter."

Reason for Rejection
"A catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard"

Only spark-ignition passenger cars first used after 31st Jul 1992 qualify for a "full cat emissions test" so this legislation won't apply to most 944s (nor indeed my diesel Golf).

 

[Diver944]

....and let's not forget some cars had them deleted as an option when new so how is the tester supposed to know which car had them and which didn't (unless he starts trying to interpret the option codes on the sticker in the boot)

 

[DavidL]

I spoke to my MOT tester.
Granted we were talking about a 94 car so the 92 limit did not crop up.

 

[Suffolk944]

Well it would well and truly snooker me. I have heard this before but I am under the impression that its still emission based rather than whether a cat is in place or not.

 

[GlennS]

As far as I can determine, all these new rules achieve is to close a loophole where post-92 cars could be decatted and still get an MOT certificate if they happened to manage to pass the emissions test without the cat fitted.

 

[DavidL]

Apparently it has always been illegal to have a part of the exhaust system missing but not really enforced. Now it is it seems.
But yes I read that as post 1/8/93 build cars which removes the issue for most 944s as long as they can pass the emission test. But 968s and 993 etc will be hit.

 

[TTM]

Doesn't this rule use to mention an engine capacity?

 

[944 man]

This will certainly only affect 968s, because catalytic converters fitted before they were compulsary will fall outside the scope of the rules.

For a 968 youll have to either find a friendly MOT stattion, or swap the cat in and out before every MOT. People with later performance cars have been doing this for years.


Simon

 

[Frenchy]

A lot of the Audi RS & S lads bolt the cats back on for MOT, take them straight back off afterwards replaced with straight through sections.

 

[944Scott]

I used to do this every year with my FTO.