Following on from the "Failed my MOT http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif" thread.....

Went to Supertyres armed to the back teeth with info to try and prove that it was wrong of them to submit my 95 WRX to a full cat test. Had it out with about 4 different guys only to find they were right.

They showed me the new flow chart from the VI they use - live as of August 2001 - to determine which test should be performed. Here is how it works:

--------------------------------------------
"IS THE CAR FIRST USED BETWEEN AUG 92 - JUL 95?"
YES:

"IS THERE AN EXACT MATCH ON THE DATABASE?"
YES- FULL CAT TEST
NO - NON-CAT TEST (CO <= 3.5%,HC<=1200ppm)

NO: (i.e. FIRST USED AFTER 95 - N REG+)

"IS THERE AN EXACT MATCH ON THE DATABASE?"
YES- FULL CAT TEST
NO - DEFAULT CAT TEST (FAST IDLE: CO <=0.3%, HC<=200ppm, IDLE: CO<=0.5%)
-------------------------------------------

That info is from a flow chart so I hope I have made it clear enough. What it basically means is that if you have a UK car you have to sit the full cat test regardless. If you have a 94 WRX (M plate?) or earlier you can sit a non-cat test and your car should pass this with a full decatted exhaust. If your import is Sept 95 (N plate) or newer, as mine is, then it will have to sit a test with default emissions limits which are still fairly tight and I am guessing you will still need at least one CAT in place.

I have taken all this from the official DOT documentation so I am pretty certain this is right but others may know differently.

I'd be interested to hear opinions etc.

Regards
Rikki
(**the driver formerly known as Rikki23** http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif )



[This message has been edited by Rikki 95WRX (edited 01 October 2001).]

Rikki
Thanks for the update. I've got MY94 WRX Wagon and am considering getting it decatted, so this kind of info is like gold dust to me.