MOT Major Defect, Really?!?
- Thread starter SC0TTRS
- Start date
MOT testing stations have no powers to condemn or impound vehicles, even if they have a failure categorised as "Dangerous".
You do not have to have the vehicle repaired at the station - many don't even do repairs anyway!
This is still the case with the new 2018 rules.
You do not have to have the vehicle repaired at the station - many don't even do repairs anyway!
This is still the case with the new 2018 rules.
Basically the tester has decided it's louder than it should be. This is at the testers discretion. As a tester, we don't and can't measure the db of it.
It seems that either the exhaust is stupid noisy - like a complete straight through pipe, or the tester is a bit on the harsh side.
The failure is marked as a major defect - don't blame the tester or MOT centre for that. The MOT system has the reason for rejections categorised, and these can't be changed.
And Lopez is correct, an MOT testing station is unable to hold any vehicle. If we fail a car on something marked dangerous and not fit to drive, we ask the owner/driver to sign the invoice to say they understand it's unfit for the road, it's dangerous, and now illegal to drive. Just remember traffic police (and anyone really) can see the MOT test result within seconds of the test being done.
It seems that either the exhaust is stupid noisy - like a complete straight through pipe, or the tester is a bit on the harsh side.
The failure is marked as a major defect - don't blame the tester or MOT centre for that. The MOT system has the reason for rejections categorised, and these can't be changed.
And Lopez is correct, an MOT testing station is unable to hold any vehicle. If we fail a car on something marked dangerous and not fit to drive, we ask the owner/driver to sign the invoice to say they understand it's unfit for the road, it's dangerous, and now illegal to drive. Just remember traffic police (and anyone really) can see the MOT test result within seconds of the test being done.
Because it's a discretionary test about whether the tester feels it is 'unreasonably' louder than a stock one. You could have 5 cats in the exhaust but if it's still stupidly loud it could be failed on that test.
I have never failed a car for being too loud, and I MOT a fair few cars from a local motor sport place.
I think the only reason is feel the need to fall out being too loud is a side exit out the bumper, as they're obnoxiously loud.
I think the only reason is feel the need to fall out being too loud is a side exit out the bumper, as they're obnoxiously loud.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 22 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 28,770
- Location
- Boston, Lincolnshire
My import is 3" decat all the way through to the tip. Passed no problems with a friendly letter from Toyota
.It is not that loud anyway. My neighbours clattery old Peugeot Diesel makes more of a racket when starting up in the morning.
Soldato
- Joined
- 6 Nov 2002
- Posts
- 9,943
- Location
- London UK
My car has never had an issue with MOTs over the past 10 years with this and I'd consider it to definitely be on the loud side as it's straight through pipes with no back boxes, just take it to a different MOT station.
Thats the point, if all it does is make the noise with little BHP or fuel efficiency increase it is a POS and taking it off the road is a positive.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2012
- Posts
- 8,350
Problem with metering it is the rules are anything louder than stock, which would kill aftermarket exhausts.
I dont get it myself. Within reason a car is your property and you should be free to change what you want, as long as it doesnt make it unsafe.
We should encourage car modification- makes people more willing to keep hold of cars that they've personalised to themselves.
I dont get it myself. Within reason a car is your property and you should be free to change what you want, as long as it doesnt make it unsafe.
We should encourage car modification- makes people more willing to keep hold of cars that they've personalised to themselves.
Its called being considerate of others, seems to be lacking these days where everyone is entitled to do what they want and **** everyone else.
Soldato
- Joined
- 27 Mar 2013
- Posts
- 9,439
There is an app on Android that's an spl, I assume there would be on apple as well, not sure how accurate it is but should give a rough indication.
You don't seem to understand its about increased noise pollution which affects everyone...
Nothing stopping you modding a car. Lots of things stopping you sticking it on the public road.
You’d hope any MOT tester worth his salt would fail a TVR were it too quietMy mate has a Cerbera. It would set off car alarms when idling in the street when visiting my place
I had this noise issue years back, had an S2 Escort RS Turbo with a 195 bhp “chip tune” and a Custom Stainless steel exhaust fitted by “Turbo Systems”, it was very loud on tick over burbling away, ironically once in the move it quietened down a lot.
My local council test station refused to pass it for being too loud so I took it to Krap fit who after fawning over it for half an hour were only too pleased to pass it, it was stolen a week later and I always suspected one of the fitters there as his Mk3 1.4 Escort suddenly acquired a set of S2 alloys with Yokohama tyres (which mine had and were rare back in the 90’s)
Never could prove it, never saw my RS again.
Last edited:
You’d hope any MOT tester worth his salt would fail a TVR were it too quiet
I had this noise issue years back, had an S2 Escort RS Turbo with a 195 bhp “chip tune” and a Custom Stainless steel exhaust fitted by “Turbo Systems”, it was very loud on tick over burbling away, ironically once in the move it quietened down a lot.
My local council test station refused to pass it for being too loud so I took it to Krap fit who after fawning over it for half an hour were only too pleased to pass it, it was stolen a week later and I always suspected one of the fitters there as his Mk3 1.4 Escort suddenly acquired a set of S2 alloys with Yokohama tyres (which mine had and were rare back in the 90’s)
Never could prove it, never saw my RS again.
I'd have treated it to a Russian themed cocktail ....
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2012
- Posts
- 8,350
Right. Except wrong because manufactures can make vehicles that are obnoxiously loud, so whats wrong with individuals doing the same?
I was sorely tempted but couldn’t prove bar the tyres that they resembled mine which were pristine, no identifiable scuffs alas...
To be fair, back then so many RS Turbo’s were stolen and / or crashed, RS alloys on lesser examples was relatively common, had his “acquired” say a Red bootlid spoiler with a slight crack in the paint on the O/S or Recaro’s with a fag burn in the passenger side bolster (cheers Simon, never did forgive that!!) then I’d have definitely taught it to go “Woof”
Incorrect. There are legal limits that manufacturers must abide by.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vca/fcb/cars-and-noise.asp