Hi all,

 

Quick question...

 

Does anybody know - if a car was being MOT'ed, and it was noticed there was a split or small hole anywhere along the exhaust system, i understand it would then fail the MOT, however does this mean that the garage should NOT then perform an emissions test?

 

The madness behind my question.....

My girlfriends car failed its MOT for a small split in the exhaust (of which i cannot find and i think they are pulling my leg!!) but have then gone on to do an emissions test...... which PASSED

 

Thanks guys

 

Paul

a fault would not (in my opinion) stop an inspection proceeding to the end unless there was something really dangerous to justify stopping e.g. a road brake test on a 4x4 

Indeed, as if there were more advisaries and failures you'd want to know, no point retesting it on the exhaust if it will fail on other things that weren't discovered if the previous test had been stopped.

You can actually have a hole in your exhaust and pass, my A8's flexi joints had split when I got the car and it had passed two previous MOTs with an advisory.

 

From the MOT testing manual

 

 

A minor exhaust leak from, for example, a connection joint or a pin hole, is not a Reason for Rejection.

 

Failure reasons are:

1. An exhaust system not adequately supported.

2. A major leak of exhaust gases from any part of the system.

3. A catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard

4. A silencer in such condition, or of such a type, that the noise emitted from the vehicle is clearly unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle with a standard silencer in average condition.

5. An exhaust tailpipe positioned so that fumes are likely to enter the driver’s or passenger area.

On spark ignition engines a hole in the exhaust can put the lambda reading out of limits.  I've had it before where the car was going to fail on lambda due to a hole in the exhaust and rather than go through the hassle of an extended emissions test which the car would fail anyway, I've held a rag over the hole to get it to pass and then later failed the car exhaust for an excessive leak of exhaust gasses.  If it was a minor leak that didn't affect the emissions, I would give it an advisory.

 

The only valid reasons for not performing an emissions test is if there is an obstruction in the exhaust which means that the probe can't be inserted, the correct engine speed can't be maintained, there is a risk of damage/personal injury due to low oil/coolant levels, a cooling system component about to let go - it's no fun getting covered in scalding coolant.

 

Often people will get tested a car which they know will fail, but want a full test done to see if it is viable.  I had a car the other week from a regular customer (another garage), it had a flat battery and a non charging alternator, I had to have the jump pack on it for the test to keep it running.  If it was for anyone else I would have abandoned the test, got our money for it and not had to spend nearly two hours on it, getting my fingers punctured by steel cords from the tyres and spending time getting rust particles out of my eye.  I don't think that that car will be going back on the road.

Thanks all for the replies.

 

Car has been checked over and there is no crack / hole in the exhaust. I will be taking this up with the garage. The car failed its MOT on a couple of other things, of which only 1 was genuine. To me, it seems they found a definite failure, and then tried to cash in with some other bits and bobs.

I was informed that if the exhaust fails the MOT for any damage - the garage can then NOT do an emissions test, and thats what i was enquiring about really.

 

Thanks

Paul