just had my mot guys call up, they need to know what emmisions test to carry out on the indy, its a 2005 build 2.0 pinto

im away at the mometn and dont have a the log book, can anyone help out??

tell them its visible smoke test
if they don't know the answer...

is it a Q plate?

yep its on a Q plate

if on a q then it should be visible smoke anyway. pinto is a pre 1995 engine too? therefore shouldn't need a cat.

still stand by visible smoke. their system should tell them the emissions targets for your reg anyway. it probably doesn't say any which is why they ask

Q-Plate cars

From the "MOT Tester's Manual" chapter on "How to use this manual":

Vehicle 'first used' dates - application of test criteria

A vehicle's 'first used' date is:
Its date of manufacture, if the vehicle was originally used without being registered in GB [e.g., an imported vehicle or ex-HM Forces vehicle), or


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 1st August 1975. For all other testing purposes they are to be considered as being first used on 1 st January 1971,or


In any other case, the earlier of either
Its date of first registration, or
The date six months after it was manufactured.

Update - July 2003
The key bits are all determined by date of first use. There are a couple of exemptions to date of first use that are pertinent to Caterham Sevens:

If the car is amateur built and first used before 1st August 1998, then the car is treated as "first used before 1st August 1975".
Wankel rotary engined vehicles first used before 1st August 1987 then the car is treated as "first used before 1st August 1975".
Hybrid vehicles (petrol/diesel/gas engines combined with electric) then the car is treated as "first used before 1st August 1975"

Vehicles fitted with two stroke engines ARE NOT TESTED AT ALL

There are also provisions under Construction and Use regulation 3(3) but I haven't been able to read up on these. These are related to engine installations where the engine was incapable of meeting the catalyst requirements at the date of manufacture.

The tests are: First used before 1st August 1975 Visual smoke test
First used before 1st August 1986 Metered test at idle (non-catalyst test)
max 4.5%CO by vol
max 0.12%HC by vol (1200ppm)
First used before 1st August 1992 Metered test at idle (non-catalyst test)
max 3.5%CO by vol
max 0.12%HC by vol (1200ppm)