MOT woes again!!

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

I can't remember who told me, but I'm sorry to say I was told the old Vauxhall department that dealt with things like proof of age etc on the engines, shut up shop years ago. I know the old contact info we have on the site here stopped working along time ago.

 

(Scarily) it's two decades since I used them! but here's the contact details kit builders used to use, like I say, not active as far as I know, but you might be able to get a referral possibly?

 

Jonathan Bell,

Vehicle Registrations Systems Coordinator Vauxhall, Marketing Services J. Bell 7288 D3,  Vauxhall Motors Limited, Griffin House, Osborne Road, Luton, LU1 3YT ,ENGLAND.

Ext:  7288

Tel:  0044 - (0)1582-427288 (Office)

Tel:  0044 - (0)1582-874405 (Office)

Fax:  0044 - (0)1582 427400

Dial-8:     8944 - 7288

Mobile:     0044 - (0)7721-066886

Email:      jonathan.bell@vauxhall.co.uk (Office)

 

[Sam Harland]

Yeh I will have to but it’s just annoying having to try and explain all of this over the phone to numerous testers wish there was an easy solution! 

[Sam Harland]

Thanks for the info Dave I did find this guys contacts on another forum I sent an email to his address earlier so let’s see but doesn’t sound too hopeful 

[RickRack]

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??? 

 

[RickRack]

Just now, RickRack said:

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??? 

 

 

[Sam Harland]

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? 

[Martyn Vann - Warwickshire AO]

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

[RickRack]

49 minutes ago, Sam Harland said:

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? 

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 

 

[Chris Larner]

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. 

[RickRack]

5 minutes ago, Martyn Vann - Warwickshire AO said:

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

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”  

[RickRack]

5 minutes ago, Chris Larner said:

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. 

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…. 🙏🤞

[Chris Larner]

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

[Martyn Vann - Warwickshire AO]

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.

[jeff oakley]

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.

[Kit Car Electronics and Essex AO]

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.