MOT Technical
Standards/VIA
Sent by: John M To
Corcoran/RTE/VIA Enquiries/VIA@VIA
cc
Mark J Evans/HQ/VIA@VIA, MOT
10/05/2011 09:10 Technical Standards/VIA@VIA, Shaun
P Martin/RTE/VIA@VIA, James D
Brandon/RTE/VIA@VIA
Subject
Re: Fw: MOT - Engine Oil
temperature.(Document link:
Enquiries)
We are not aware of an issue with MG (or any other vehicle) marginally
failing the emissions test. As it an MG, I presume the query is in relation
to spark ignition emissions and in particular those vehicles fitted with a
catalytic converter.
The procedures in the Passenger and Light Goods Vehicle Inspection Manual
(IM) have been designed to give every vehicle the opportunity to be at the
correct operating conditions required to meet the emission requirements of
the MOT test and we do not have evidence to suggest any particular vehicle
is disadvantaged.
Section 7.3 of the IM details the Method of Inspection for this type of
emissions check.
The initial check is the Basic Emissions Test (BET) which a check against
common emission limits. There is no requirement to use any specific
temperature measuring device for this test and a vehicle cannot fail the
emissions test on the BET result alone.
If a vehicle does not meet the BET limits then a Full cat test using
vehicle specific limits must be carried out and an oil temperature
measuring device should be used. However the IM does make allowance for
vehicles where it is not possible/practical to use one.
If a vehicle does not meet the limits on the initial full cat test then a
second "fast test" is carried out but only after engine preconditioning
has been carried out to ensure that the cat is "lit" and has had a
reasonable opportunity to be at an optimum operating temperature. By the
time the second fast idle test is carried out it is likely that the engine
will be at it's normal operating temperature.
If an NT attempts to carry out an emission test with out the engine being
at the correct operating temperature then it is probable that the vehicle
will not, initially, meet the required limits and the exhaust gas analyzer
will "force" a second fast idle test. This is not in the interests of the
VTS as it adds more time to the test and our experience is that most NTs
are aware of this and ensure that the vehicle is at the correct operating
temperature for the test.
Though not always possible it is advantageous to present the vehicle at
operating temperature and close to the appointed time. Most VTS would then
carry out the emission test at the start of the MOT
These procedures have been in use for some time and we do not have evidence
from VTS or vehicle presenters to suggest that vehicles are failing the
emissions test unjustifiably. However, VOSA is responsible for
administering the MOT scheme and takes non-compliance with scheme
procedures very seriously. If a vehicle has been failed incorrectly then a
presenter has the right of appeal using form VT17 (which can be obtained
from any vehicle test station) or, if preferred, can complain in writing to
the local area office.
The latter is kept on file and may be used as intelligence data for
allocating enforcement resources such as unannounced visits where VOSA
examiners retest recently tested vehicles or 'mystery shopper' visits.
MOT Standards Team
Roadworthiness and Testing Policy Group
Got to agree. I think there seems to be a bit of a 'head in the sand' attitude in the reply, to be honest.vey interesting reading, ( the right of appeal) the trouble is we know it but joe public dosent, and i dont care what garage it is , they will fail most cars on a whim just to generate money in the hope that the driver pays to have the work done. my last mot fail for the mgf (by kwick fit) was so vague that i took it for a second opion at a local garage and they couldnt see a problem for what the examiner failed it on
Got to agree. I think there seems to be a bit of a 'head in the sand' attitude in the reply, to be honest.vey interesting reading, ( the right of appeal) the trouble is we know it but joe public dosent, and i dont care what garage it is , they will fail most cars on a whim just to generate money in the hope that the driver pays to have the work done. my last mot fail for the mgf (by kwick fit) was so vague that i took it for a second opion at a local garage and they couldnt see a problem for what the examiner failed it on
Got to agree. I think there seems to be a bit of a 'head in the sand' attitude in the reply, to be honest.vey interesting reading, ( the right of appeal) the trouble is we know it but joe public dosent, and i dont care what garage it is , they will fail most cars on a whim just to generate money in the hope that the driver pays to have the work done. my last mot fail for the mgf (by kwick fit) was so vague that i took it for a second opion at a local garage and they couldnt see a problem for what the examiner failed it on
Yep - the 'we don't see any car being disadvantaged attitude' is a pile of crock! ANY car that isn't up to operating temp would have issues! It just so happens that the way they measure ours is COMPLETELY wrong as the water gets up to temp far earlier than the oil temp....
It's interesting that they say customers should be encouraged to bring their cars in warm, as the tester I used first tests the emissions last, so the car has been sitting for around 30 - 40 mins before being tested..
Interesting. How do you think that stacks against what VOSA thinks happens?My F failed today on emissions!
Oil temp measurement by-passed!
Tempreture gauge showed engine warm!
CO< 0.30% vol
reading 0.39% vol!
time of test 10.57 (booked for 2pm)
time of call 14.41!
I'd have gone in at lunch time and taken it out for a blast if he'd called sooner.
Sting in the tail - I blew a fuse last night and descovered this morning on the way to the test that this fuse control the oil temp gauge so there was no reading on the gauge.