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I first registered my car in March 98, ahead of the introduction of SVA and cat tests, so have always been visible smoke only. Despite this, a new test station this year were still insistent I needed a cat test - I guess we're becoming such unusual cases we're all going to need to carry copies of the flowchart/online tester handbook and V5 at MOT time.

I would make contact with the DVSA and ask them for clarification on this matter. The car has clearly been tested with the details you have in the past so I suspect the garage you have taken this to is not fully up to speed with how to do this, or is fearful of getting it wrong and being picked up. I have found in the past if you get hold of the right person you can clear most things up and a letter confirming this will make your life so much easier going forward.

Testing to the V5 special notes value is very easy, but DVLA have a habit of missing this vital information from the V5. When my car was transferred into my name, the IVA emissions note were shown. I mislaid the V5 so ordered a replacement. I didn't check at the time and only recently noticed that the emissions notes are now missing! DVLA are the root cause of a lot of these problems! Possibly during change of ownership V5 updates. FWIW I have found my original V5 now, with the notes on.

It was super annoying but luckily only had me off the road for 2 weeks.

Chris it really is a crock of b***ocks when the Tester doesn’t know the rules. I was lucky as I see Martyn most months and he gave me the info I needed to argue it out with my tester who I’ve used for 30 plus years…. 🙏🤞

Martin, would you go talk to the testing station first to establish the test criteria??? @Sam Harland check your V5C to see if you have emissions listed in the section on page 2 (as per my pic) or on bottom of front page under “Special Notes”

I recently had my 2L Zetec fail its MOT on emissions. It’s passed the last 5 years with no real hassle (occasional turn the other way). But this year my local place doesn’t do tests anymore so went somewhere else and it failed. It has no CAT so it’s no surprise but because the garage put it through as a fail it then proved hard/impossible for anyone to pass it without a bit of work and proof of adjustment. In the end I got a local company to fit a sports CAT before the silencer. I got him to use V band clamps and make me a de cat pipe so I can remove it and re fit it each year for MOT.

I went to see my tester a week before the MOT - explained as Martyn Vann had advised - then turned up for MOT with V5C - there was a further discussion between the garage owner & the MOT tester & after 10 minutes they both agreed that they had to test to V5C data - I then showed them V5C as pic below - they then MOT’d the car & passed

My advice is to go elsewhere! My reasoning is that if an MOT tester can determine what engine was fitted by reference to the 'MOT database', apparently a 4 litre one then, he should be testing to that standard. THIS IS A LIE! Here is an image of the emissions database So did it previously have a V8 in it at IVA? I think not! The tester is being very intransigent and very unhelpful when generally, DVSA encourage testers to apply the lower standard wherever there is any doubt about the applicable criteria. The benefit of doubt must favour the presenter. I would be happy to test and pass this vehicle as a pre95 non-CAT test at 3.5% CO & 1200ppm HC at idle only, much the same as RickRack's 1995 V8. Link to the emissions database if you want to check it. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a81bcf5ed915d74e6233d90/in-service-exhaust-emission-standards-for-road-vehicles-19th-edition.pdf

Looks like you had a great day, any day with sun, cars and ice cream or cake is going to be a good day. I would have joined in, but I made plans to see the old folks before going to the other side of the world next week.

I'm looking for some carbon half doors and wide body Blade style aeroscreen NEW or USED.

Thanks Rick that’s interesting and thanks so much for the contact details I will call them and see if they can help! So did your MOT tester not test or fail your car without the notes listed on the v5?

Winter/spring engine rebuild...... Core plugs and oil bungs removed and acid dipped. Block bored to 87mm Block face skimmed. Head washed and skimmed. Late crank replaced with a spare early crank I had kicking about. Wossner steel rods and Omega intruder pistons fitted. ACL race bearings. New oil pump with uprated internal gear. QED 450V cams, race springs and steel caps fitted along with solid lifters. Vernier pulleys. Other things that I can't quite remember no doubt!!! All up and running with no coolant or oil leaks. But do want to recheck the shims for the lifters. All machine work done by Grace Engine Developments which luckily are 5 mins drive away!

I’ll take them Greg. Will send you a PM. Thanks Dan

More photos by Jake 😁

Happy days - will try to make one of the next ones 🤞👍

Hi Sam & Dave, the Vauxhall - Luton factory - officially closed on 31st March - the factory is to close completely in approx 12/18 months, I’m unsure if you will get any response but manufacturing is moving up to Ellesmere Port - see the quoted phone number in pic below. But I would ask @Martyn Vann - Warwickshire AO as I have a none Q reg 1999 registered Westy - my understanding is that any MOT station should test 1999 SVA cars to the Special Notes - or CO2 readings on the V5C - my tester confirmed that when I’ve took it the last twice - I took my V5C and they agreed - I have no note & CO2 on V5C so they couldn’t test to anything - Mr V could you advise Sam???

Out to play in the sunshine today.

Monthly meet at The Old Waggon and Horses, Kiddi Road, few miles out from Stourbridge. Always a good turnout. Have posted it in the events section a few times last year. Sorry, didn't post this one. I wasn't the only one there...

where was you lurking?

Photos added for the rac roll bar

£25 + postage Will need to be pop riveted as they have been drilled to fit them. Email greg.blair@protonmail.com if my membership has expired

Had a good day today at the The Den in Teignmouth, organised by Colin’s Crashbox club. I met Matt at Ilminster Services soon after 8am having had an early morning walking the dog and washing the car. My little (but getting bigger!) copilot joined me and we had a fun blat up in quite foggy conditions to start. After I had phaffed around with our headsets for a while, giving Matt the chance to lust over a couple of nice Landies, we headed up to meet Adge at Taunton services for a quick break and a wine gum breakfast 🤣. From there, down to Teignmouth mainly on the M5, with the last part being quite ‘interesting’ down some winding single track roads due to a road closure. Anyway, safely there at about 9.30am in lovely sunshine, and found a fab place to sit outside and have what was a delicious bacon bap and cuppa, before spending time wandering around the building collection of cars of all sorts, it was an excellent turnout with The Den being full by the time we left. Lorna and I went to the beach for a while before heading back to say bye to Adge and Matt when they left around noon. Mark T had spent the morning fitting his cycle wings and was due there around 1pm, so we had a crafty fish and chip lunch, followed by an ice cream and then met up with Mark for a chat before heading home. Nice day, lovely weather and good to catch up with the chaps. Looking forward to Haynes Breakfast Meet on 4th May too, fingers crossed for similar weather 🤞

Thanks, really appreciate the advice. I'm not fussed about a q plate so happy to go this route. I'll try to knock a build thread up as it'll be nice having others see what I'm doing and hopefully point out my mistakes before it's too late . I'll start having a look through my documentation to make sure ive got all the info i need for registration.