Surely they have no legal basis on which to prosecute if the test Is done by ear..? How can you prosecute someone based upon an opinion..?

judge would side with the police and could order a db test if you push it.

But then you'll already know it's above the limit so will simply be making yourself a whole load of unnecessary grief.

Just get a silencer fitted and learn the lesson.

"I do think you are more likely to get pulled for excessive noise in a sporty hatch, than you would in a 2 seater sports car or supercar."

Hhmn, not in my jungle you wouldn't have done.

Discrimination in any form is wrong, it was immaterial to me whether the car making the racket was an FSO or a Ferrari, a Dacia Duster or a Dodge Viper

The law is there for a reason; comply with it or face the consequences, it's really as simple as that.

I don't see how anyone can moan if the law is applied fairly and equitably.

If you don't like it, then either

A. Revert your car to a standard or quieter exhaust, or

B. Make sure you have sufficient funds to pay the fines you will inevitably accrue.

"I do think you are more likely to get pulled for excessive noise in a sporty hatch, than you would in a 2 seater sports car or supercar."

Hhmn, not in my jungle you wouldn't have done.

Discrimination in any form is wrong, it was immaterial to me whether the car making the racket was an FSO or a Ferrari, a Dacia Duster or a Dodge Viper

The law is there for a reason; comply with it or face the consequences, it's really as simple as that.

I don't see how anyone can moan if the law is applied fairly and equitably.

If you don't like it, then either

A. Revert your car to a standard or quieter exhaust, or

B. Make sure you have sufficient funds to pay the fines you will inevitably accrue.

i think what was being said was that people are more tolerant to a supercar making the noise as the majority of them are loud as standard where as your 1.0 saxos that fly around mc donalds drive through arent .....

if a car is loud as standard then it is what it is and shouldnt be pulled for it 

I'm happy for a noisy car to drive past but it's when they drive round and round housing estates at night that it becomes annoying. Do Ferraris and Lambos tend to do that? Not that I have seen, if they did I'd moan the same as everyone else and expect them to be dealt with.  

As I partly explained in an earlier post, there are two regulations that apply.

In simple terms, regulation 66 (where the 101db noise limit come from) is aimed at manufacturers of both vehicles and aftermarket products and applies to all vehicles manufactured after 1983 (except those listed earlier). Even 'Ferraris and Lambos'. In theory, both the driver and manufacturer/fabricator could be fined under regulation 66, however, this is rarely used by the Police. Owners tend to concentrate on this regulation as it is the only one that lists a noise limit.

The Police rely on regulation 97, which in simple terms, is used where the car is louder than it needs to be IN THE OPINION OF THE POLICE OFFICER. It's a subjective test. A blowing exhaust, a modified exhaust, revving the engine or even the way the car is being driven can fall foul of this regulation (see post #21 for examples).

For those of you who think that regulation 97 is unfair, think what it would be like if all cars drove around at 100db - day and night!!

As I partly explained in an earlier post, there are two regulations that apply.

In simple terms, regulation 66 (where the 101db noise limit come from) is aimed at manufacturers of both vehicles and aftermarket products and applies to all vehicles manufactured after 1983 (except those listed earlier). Even 'Ferraris and Lambos'. In theory, both the driver and manufacturer/fabricator could be fined under regulation 66, however, this is rarely used by the Police. Owners tend to concentrate on this regulation as it is the only one that lists a noise limit.

The Police rely on regulation 97, which in simple terms, is used where the car is louder than it needs to be IN THE OPINION OF THE POLICE OFFICER. It's a subjective test. A blowing exhaust, a modified exhaust, revving the engine or even the way the car is being driven can fall foul of this regulation (see post #21 for examples).

For those of you who think that regulation 97 is unfair, think what it would be like if all cars drove around at 100db - day and night!!

is there a set rpm specified for when a db reading would be measured 

is there a set rpm specified for when a db reading would be measured 

No rpm specified and if you think about it, it wouldn't make sense. Different engines rev to different limits. Load also has a big effect on exhaust noise

No rpm specified and if you think about it, it wouldn't make sense. Different engines rev to different limits. Load also has a big effect on exhaust noise

just wondered i know my bike has stamped on the chassis plate 98db at 6,000 but the limiters at 13,500 .... so didnt know it it was always measured at half throttle 

I've got a straight pipe on my vrs and have done for the last year. Never been pulled for it. Never had a complaint from my neighbours (and they are the type to tell you if you annoy them) go to work at 5 am start up and go, I don't sit there for a few mins. It's not really that loud until it comes on boost. And let's be honest who wants to drive to work like their hair is on fire? That's for the way home!! I've been waiting to get pulled over for it but it's never happened. Probably because the Hondas around my way are nuclear powered and are constantly turned up to 11.