The issue I have is that CAT-equipped cars can still fail an emissions test.

When that occurs, the car is 'corrected' and re-tested. The same principle, it is not unreasonable to presume, also applies to to de-catted cars - the car fails, is corrected and then re-tested.

Unless the insurance companies are going to start emissions testing every car that they are handling a claim for then they can't really refute a claim for a de-catted car on that basis.

However, as Tony says, he's not aware of a claim being rejected on the basis of a car being decatted so hopefully common-sense will prevail (as long as it's be declared that the car is equipped with a non-standard exhaust when initially taking out the policy).

 

Right, wind the clocks back to 1992 ..... I owned a 1992/J plate Calibra - with a CAT.

The CAT went wrong and I replaced it for a normal box (as the early Cavalier GSi 2000s had) ......

At that time I checked the Legal situation, and found out that, from August 1992/K Plate ... all cars with a CAT when manufactured had to have the CAT remain. PLUS, it had to pass a stricter emissions test AFAIR.

As mine was a J Plate I could remove the CAT - and did!

Pete

 

Just admit you were wrong and leave it at that!

 

I beg your pardon, young man!!!!!

I am NOT wrong .... it IS illegal to remove the CAT if one was originally fitted, and all cars from 1992/August had to have one fitted!!!

Contact your local plod and ask them!

Then, come back here and apologise!

Pete

 

Well, the evidence posted on this thread suggests otherwise........

They say the old get deluded easily (there appears to be evidence of that on this thread as well )

 

Go away, find out the truth, post your apology here ..... thank you

Pete

 

just for those that don't know. A 1999 classic also has 2 cats.

 

3 dogs, 4 rabbits, 2 hamsters and a chinnchilla

Pete

 

You know Pete's wrong as he's now resorted to sarcasm instead of actually posting any proof (apart from some anecdotal evidence relating to 1992).

Pete - page 1 #28 (the quotation from the MOT Tester site).

Kind rgds
Phil

 

yeah, he always does that.

 

That was an MOT Tester giving his opinion .... he is wrong.

Like I said - find the law I refer to and then return to apologise

Each time you deny it you look more stupid

Pete

 

From what i remember any car REGISTERED from 1st Jan 1993 had to have a Cat fitted. If the car was pre 01/01/93 and had Cat it was ok to have it removed.
My old car was made in 1992, but wasn't registered until 30th Jan 1993.
I was told on more than 1 occasion that if it had been registered a month earlier i could have removed the Cat

 

#whisper mode# I'm sorry Mr Lewis, Sir (due to new information being brought to light..............)

 

Thats better ..... due respect

Pete

 

"Whisper mode" - cracked me up..


Seriously guys,

We dont make the rules and whatever we believe in relation to the Cat's is not relevant to the UK GOV who will clearly do as they wish and carry on their 'crusade' against greenhouse gasses etc

If we are pushed for a specific definitive or a guarantee as to how an Insurer will handle a situation we have to play it safe, thus the advice given.

But as mentioned before, we have not encountered a problem with claims to date in which a "full" XYZ exhaust system was disclosed.

Kind regards

Tony

 

Have to make the comment that for once pslewis had entered into a sensible debate Is he OK

 

Now, Now!!! This is a sensible Forum!!

Pete

 

I'm glad everyone enjoyed this topic. I didn't intend on having a debate on the legalities of emissions but it has been interesting, I might not decat my car now??.
But, all I was doing was advising people not to waste their time and Greenlight's time if they are running a decat because they will not quote. Ring someone else who doesn't ask such specific questions and as long as you tell them you have a full stainless steel system then you have answered their questions and you will have no problems (most likely).

 

I'e always found Greenlight very helpful and lets be honest we all known removing the Cats is illegal and just because you have an MOT doesn't mean you can alter the car afterwards with everything being OK, c'mon now !

If you choose to decat you have no MOT and so you're vehicle is calls as not roadworthy which is frankly stupid but thats the rules.


AllanB

 

Firstly can I just say that if a car can pass emissions without the CAT, I find it ridiculous that it should have to have one fitted.

That said, choosing not to disclose a de-cat is just asking for trouble. I certainly would not want to risk not being paid on a claim because of it.

Keep in mind most, if not all insurers, will have a section on their proposal form that asks for any other relevant information to be disclosed, not doing so is asking for trouble.

A sports cat may cost more than having just a straight through pipe, but £300 extra paid out on mods or ££££££ loss of you car?

EDIT: Just to say I do work for Greenlight (in case someone recognised my name [not from the Cilit Bang Commercials] from dealing with us and thought I posted this to back Greenlight without anyone knowing). I do not currently own a Subaru, but I am looking forward to the day I do.

 

Im confuzzled!

The one im going to look at is a 94 plate import

How many cats should it have?

Maddsy

 

For the prices companies liek TSL are doing thier sports cats for its not worth the risk of totally de-catting. And they claim that thier de-cats only offer marginally more flow that the sports cat anyway....

Stay legal guys, because potencially if you say caused a bus full of 60 people to crash and die, if you insurance didnt pay out because of a something stupid liek a de-cat it'd ruin your life.

 

My current understanding is import STI classics only have 1 cat (in the downpipe) This is definately the case on my car - a 98 STi Type R.

I guess this means the UK and non-sti imports also have a centre cat ?

Edited to add: my car passes it's MOT with just the downpipe CAT.

 

yeah, uk turbos have a small centre cat as well. mine just has the centre cat as my downpipe has been changed and it still passes the emissions (done at Subaru dealer)