samcowrx

Is there an age under which a scoob wrx does not require a cat for its mot??

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

import (which i guess you have) is pre 95 as far as i know (i've a 93 wrx no cat easily passes the emissions test).

StiX

iTrader: (4)

Do believe it is pre September 95 imports that are exempt.

amahrap

No car requires a cat for its MOT whatever the age - it just needs to pass the emissions test.

Pre 95 imports have to pass a lower standard of emissions test

GC8

A catalytic converter isnt required, but if we are being pedantic an Imported WRX will only have to pass the more stringent test if its date of first use is recorded as 010995 onwards.....

silent running

The last two posts are totally correct.

samcowrx

Thanks, that has been a great help, i tried a search of the forums, as i assumed this sort of question came up all the time, but i just couldnt find the answer i was looking for, but now i know i do not require a cat for my 93 wrx.

donnas roo

my husband is an mot tester he said it is"before 19992 the max permitted co is 3.5%. After 1992 max co 0.30%"
If the vehicle is an import and not on the emission list the vehicle must be tested as a non cat vehicle. Hope this helps"

rossi_classicwrx

i always thought it was 1995. Mine is an import though and goes through with no problems whatsoever.

donnas roo

he said the majority of japanese imported cars have catalytic convertors on already to pass the strict emission laws in japan.
one of the reasons that the uk have had such an influx of imported vehicles is that most of them aren't able to pass the emissions so therefore they have to get rid of the vehicle. he is also led to believe that to own a car in japan, the owner has to be able to afford the parking space which he buys from the government, if he cannot afford to pay for the space, then he has to sell the car! that is what he has been led to believe, and i hope that he is right cos it took me ages to type this in

rossi_classicwrx

your probably right about the japanese stuff! Thats where mine came from but it now has a brand new engine and no cats in its exhaust whatsoever!! As well as a fair few other tastefull engine mods.. It still flies through and its a 1994 model.

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

everybody in Japan HAS to learn to drive but can only own a car if they have a parking space which is authorised by local police
I think that after 70000km the engine as to be changed/rebuilt to conform to emissions

BedHog

I know Japanese emission tests are strict......... so why does my import have 2 cats where the UK one has 3? I have no centre cat - but a resonator instead.

Mine was imported new - not an emission failure

samcowrx

What year is your car bedhog?

amahrap

The advice from the MOT tester is correct. While it is true that all the old jap cars have cats the have to be selected on the test machine (computer) AS AN EXACT MATCH. As there is no match for an import car then they only have to pass the static idle test up to 95.

There is no part of the test that calls for an examination to see if a cat is fitted as this is impossible anyway. (ie - how do you tell the difference between a cat and a resonator just by looking at the outside?)

GC8

010995. We are being pedantic remember?

amahrap

GC8 - is that date of registration or manufacture?

Sometimes the V5 is all over the place on imports - i found the best way on Mitsi Pajeros was that the DOM was printed on a ticket at the bottom of each seatbelt!!

Is ther room to negotiate/argue with the tester as to the actual date for boarderline cases?

GC8

To the best of my knowledge its the date of first use, because the exact date of manufacture cant be ascertained. Ive fallen foul of that with a car manufactured just in time but not registered in Japan until the following year.

Simon