MOT failure for 'exhaust louder than standard'

mty12345

Active Member
Jun 17, 2011
4,080
666
bristol
Just when you think the government couldn't get any more c**tish, you can now fail the MOT for any exhaust that is 'louder than the one the car came from the factory with!' :censored::censored: ......... I can fast see a time coming when ANY modification will be a MOT failure!
 
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iammooks

Active Member
Nov 27, 2018
1,814
1,220
The trouble with this one is that it's down to the tester. I can totally understand why the rule is in there - it stops some scally pissing people off with a full on BRRRRRAAAPPP from a 1.2l engine or something, but as far as I know, they don't test for decibels - it's just the tester's opinion. If they're that way inclined, they'd probably fail you if you'd had a 'mufflerectomy' because it could come under "Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer: missing, obviously modified or obviously defective."

Where did you get it done? Local garage or chain?
 

Connorg115

Active Member
Aug 29, 2017
397
66
United Kingdom
Thats ridiculous! The problem with this is that its down to the testers discresion, if they are going to go down this route then a decibel limit should be in place!

As is, If a tester doesn't like the look of you he has the grounds to fail your car even though its completely roadworthy?? seem incredibly corrupt!

Nowadays id say that modified cars are up there with the best maintained cars out there, people view us 'enthusiasts' as 'boy-racers'

Bullshit if you ask me
 
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Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,541
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Middlesex
Madness as there is no limit to an exhaust noise stated.



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BadBoy03

A Mk1 Is For Life, Not Just For Fun
Sep 6, 2016
749
543
Somerset
You are right about performance cars being looked after & much safer than an average car, but we get shat on regardless. I have had so much trouble with police following me lately, & I had an altercation with one. I am sick of being branded when we are not the sh8 drivers or unsafe cars on the road.
 
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Legojon

I only wanted a remap
Staff member
Moderator
Jul 7, 2015
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I have had so much trouble with police following me lately, & I had an altercation with one. I am sick of being branded when we are not the sh8 drivers or unsafe cars on the road.

I got pulled over all the time in my FR+... but it was black with red trim and covered in decals! So far in the Cupra noones noticed me. So how'd the altercation work out?
 

Sharpy

This place has cost me a fortune....
Oct 2, 2018
956
487
The thing that gets me is that on the whole we probably look after our cars more than most and when stuff needs doing we do it and use good quality parts... then you see someone driving round in a rusty death trap with no MOT etc etc but they don’t care. We are not the issue here.


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Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,541
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Middlesex
I think you’ll find there is, it’s 82 decibels


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That may be a book value but never heard of it before now.
Test has to be done in a 50 mph drive by etc etc at certaint revs etc.
Madness as it seems to be tester discretion. Not a genuine test that his car failed.



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martin j.

Active Member
Feb 11, 2007
1,997
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Fife
I cannot comment on the OP’s exhaust but there has to a limit of some sort, a nearby neighbour (75m) gets visitors who insist on starting their Focus RS and letting it warm up before ripping up the tarmac leaving the street(20mph zone), I can hear the car droning away over the telly and through closed windows and then until he clears the crest of the hill and away, not saying yours is as loud but if even race circuits have limits so should there be for road use, if that’s all your car failed on can you not appeal the fail?
 

Sparkie

Angling Adict.
Sep 25, 2009
2,541
779
Middlesex
I cannot comment on the OP’s exhaust but there has to a limit of some sort, a nearby neighbour (75m) gets visitors who insist on starting their Focus RS and letting it warm up before ripping up the tarmac leaving the street(20mph zone), I can hear the car droning away over the telly and through closed windows and then until he clears the crest of the hill and away, not saying yours is as loud but if even race circuits have limits so should there be for road use, if that’s all your car failed on can you not appeal the fail?

Agreed.
Mine is not quiet. But I fire it up and move away from my neighbours on tick over as I know 3” pipes drone.
I’m guessing the OP has a mk1 Cupra r.
I’ve heard lots of them and unless it’s running crazy power and a decat it shouldn’t be super loud.
Unless, and it’s a big unknown here. The exhaust could be 10years old plus and in that time they become decidedly louder than when new.
Then I’d understand it being obnoxious.


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Andrewwright

Turbo lover
Aug 16, 2016
1,567
224
Peterborough
Self policing MOT man. Shocking as he had all intention of failing it from the start. I'd of took it personally.

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bruceR

Active Member
Apr 11, 2005
2,572
662
Monifieth, Dundee
That may be a book value but never heard of it before now.
Test has to be done in a 50 mph drive by etc etc at certaint revs etc.
Madness as it seems to be tester discretion. Not a genuine test that his car failed.



Badger5 Custom Map + TIP,
3” Sustem, FMIC, Bosh 550’s,
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My bad here is the official limit:
1225b2257c94eb2c5de2f9977b0c6479.jpg



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Connorg115

Active Member
Aug 29, 2017
397
66
United Kingdom
I agree that there should be noise levels in built up areas but as for the MOT test, you're giving too much power to the tester if you don't quote an acceptable level and give test parameters.

There should be no dispute between testers if a car passes or fails (i know there is now with cowboy mechanics taking advantage of people who don't know cars)

It seems that if you like cars you're a bigger nuisance to society than a group of youths smashing up local shops and mugging people on their way home from work!

I saw a post on facebook of a guy getting stopped 3 times within a week for having pressed plates on his car, is this a sensible use of police funding?? Even if they are illegal or not? The reg matched the VIN and was clearly visible and had reflective backing

This is the major problem with our county, it has got its priorities completely wrong! (not just talking about cars and dodgy MOT testers lol)
 

Alexis27

Active Member
Dec 20, 2009
2,187
515
Manchester
"I saw a post on facebook of a guy getting stopped 3 times within a week for having pressed plates on his car, is this a sensible use of police funding?? Even if they are illegal or not? The reg matched the VIN and was clearly visible and had reflective backing"

It's the thin end of the wedge though. If police ignored them we'd soon have number plates in Comic Sans everywhere and nobody with eyes wants that.
 

Andrewwright

Turbo lover
Aug 16, 2016
1,567
224
Peterborough
"I saw a post on facebook of a guy getting stopped 3 times within a week for having pressed plates on his car, is this a sensible use of police funding?? Even if they are illegal or not? The reg matched the VIN and was clearly visible and had reflective backing"

It's the thin end of the wedge though. If police ignored them we'd soon have number plates in Comic Sans everywhere and nobody with eyes wants that.
But they find it easy to ignore real crimes. Go after a number plate "crime", will kill two HR of his day won't it. 32+k a year for what I ask. Number plate police lmao.

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