my car has just failed an mot on emissions and they are not sure whether it needs a cat for the year, if not the emissions are legal.can ne one help?
my car is a subaru impreza sti feb 1994 import with a hks full system.also i have been told to measure the decibels of the loudness of my exhaust how the **** do i do that.pppppppppllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeaaaassssssseee help!

 

It doesn't need a cat but must pass the Basic Emissions Test.

if the tester doesn't like the noise i think you are screwed (but not sure), a sound meter from Maplins i think would be good enough.

 

how do i prove to the tester that it doseant need a cat do i need to ring vosa?

 

Well he shouldn't be able to find an exact match on the database (unless it's changed since last year) so cannot test it against any specific requirements (but i expect he would just use the UK spec impreza limits).

Phone VOSA see what the say (i'll bet they fob you off though but i may be just being cynical)

 

august 93 onwards needs a cat doesnt it?

allthough if the garage arent sure whether it needs a cat or not? WTF they are mot testers they should know what it needs and what it doesnt need. take the car somewhere else!!

 

Not if it's an import (pre July 95)

 

hi people just rang vosa and they say the decibals are not to be checked during an mot and should only be marked down as an advisory note.the police can stop you but mot are not based on the noise of the car just the emissions.also just the basic test is needed not the advanced (cat test)test.so all good.

 

good news now you just have to convince your mot tester good luck

 

asked for vosa to send me an email confirming this.