as for testers not knowing the rules/too lazy to check up,my "grey import" should be non cat tested,took it to 3 places before i found someone who knew the rules.
Hill all
I was under the impression a MK on a Q plate registered in 2006 doesn't have to be checked for emissions, it is a visual smoke check only.
I went into a local MOT station today to enquire about available dates for a test, I mentioned it didn't need the emissions test and he said it
did, I questioned him and he was adamant it did!. I pointed out that on the logbook and at the time of SVA no value was recorded so what would he
compare it against. he was still quite abrupt and said it did.
To be honest I wont be taking it there due to the guys attitude but it has put doubt in my mind as to if it does or not, if it does I will need to
trailer it to a RR tuning session first as I have just fitted bike carbs and although it run to drive it to a test I would say the emissions wont be
right.
I have only just bought the car and haven't MOT'd it before so not sure, can anybody clarify the point ?
Thanks
[Edited on 27/4/16 by sonic]
from the introduction section of the mot manual
quote:
Vehicles having a Q plate registration when presented for MOT are to be treated as follows: For emission purposes only, all these types are to be considered as vehicles first used before 1 August 1975. For all other testing purposes they are to be considered as being first used on 1 January 1971
Quite a lot of testers are unaware of that point, it's not in the smartest place in the book ie it doesn't get mentioned in the emissions section, but it is quite straightforward as stated above.
So no emissions test then, doesn't look good when an MOT specific garage doesn't know the rules does it!
Thank you for your reply, I will go to another garage tomorrow.
Thanks
to add
this is repeated in section 7.3
quote:
Q plated vehicles are to be treated as being first used before 1 August 1975 for emissions purposes.
Was about to post the same info as gremlin.
as for testers not knowing the rules/too lazy to check up,my "grey import" should be non cat tested,took it to 3 places before i found
someone who knew the rules.
quote:
Originally posted by sonic
So no emissions test then,
So if I get the same response again if I quote section 7.3 they can go and check ?
Section 7.3, page 1, information, last paragraph bottom left hand corner. 
You can download the current MOT Manual here
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-inspection-manual-for-class-3-4-5-and-7-vehicles
[Edited on 27-4-16 by 40inches]
I'm confused. So the rules for IVA emission tests differ from the MOT test requirements for the same car?
Does this mean that even though I had to have a catalyst to get through IVA with my 1997 engine, as I have a Q plate I had now might as well chuck the
catalytic converter in the bin?
quote:
Originally posted by SteveWallace
I'm confused. So the rules for IVA emission tests differ from the MOT test requirements for the same car?
Does this mean that even though I had to have a catalyst to get through IVA with my 1997 engine, as I have a Q plate I had now might as well chuck the catalytic converter in the bin?
quote:Thanks for the link, I notice that it was updated March this year! (as far as I can see, only the headlight aim test has changed.)
You can download the current MOT Manual here
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mot-inspection-manual-for-class-3-4-5-and-7-vehicles
quote:
Originally posted by SteveWallace
I'm confused. So the rules for IVA emission tests differ from the MOT test requirements for the same car?
Does this mean that even though I had to have a catalyst to get through IVA with my 1997 engine, as I have a Q plate I had now might as well chuck the catalytic converter in the bin?
quote:
Originally posted by theconrodkid
Was about to post the same info as gremlin.
as for testers not knowing the rules/too lazy to check up,my "grey import" should be non cat tested,took it to 3 places before i found someone who knew the rules.
Absolutely - A Q plate means no emission test required at the MoT station.
Why then, the Q plate is regarded by many (on this site) as a disadvantage, I know not. I do understand that you can't change the plate for one
that you can arrange the numbers and letters on, creating something that means something to you alone. Whereas I don't understand that detriment,
I do understand that it restricts the exportation of the vehicle - a restriction that has prevented my car from joining me abroad.
It's the same for my old Land Rover, which due to it's age, has to only endure a 'visual' diesel smoke test (something like it
must not emit sufficient smoke to as to obscure the view of a following vehicle). They love that in Munich.... along with the black plates.
The only other MoT nightmare/ignorance has been the VIN requirement for said Land Rover. I've had a test refused several times, due to no VIN
plate. It's 1967, it doesn't need one.
Some MoT testers need some education.
I've a Q-plate.
For my IVA in 2012 I had to comply with the then current regs. I think unchanged since about 2004. I needed a cat and fuel injection to pass.
For my MOTs since there has always been problems to get all the levels just low enough to pass. Not sure why its been that harder than when done at
IVA - maybe a different probe/technique?
Anyway, this year, after discovering the MOT Q-plate rule, I took a print out of that page of the testers manual to the MOT station. They were happy
to do just the visual smoke test. Saved them and me quite a bit of time. Happy days.
I personally have never understood why some people dislike a Q-Plate. I can see that in the days before the internet and forums getting insurance used to be a nightmare.
quote:
Originally posted by SteveWallace
I'm confused. So the rules for IVA emission tests differ from the MOT test requirements for the same car?
Does this mean that even though I had to have a catalyst to get through IVA with my 1997 engine, as I have a Q plate I had now might as well chuck the catalytic converter in the bin?
No actual requirement for hazard warning lights either. Or fog lights.
Although if fitted, they must work. IIRC
I'm on a Q plate. When they created my V5 they put the emissions limits (from SVA) in the free text box. So far every MOT I've had they've tested emissions to those limits. Bit strange... Passes fine though as it's an old engine so emissions limits were pretty relaxed at SVA.
quote:
Originally posted by SPYDER
No actual requirement for hazard warning lights either. Or fog lights.
Although if fitted, they must work. IIRC
quote:
Originally posted by BenB
I'm on a Q plate. When they created my V5 they put the emissions limits (from SVA) in the free text box. So far every MOT I've had they've tested emissions to those limits. Bit strange... Passes fine though as it's an old engine so emissions limits were pretty relaxed at SVA.