de-cat and the law!

1. user_52446 Established Member Joined: May 2011 Norwich Posts: 1430 Forteee & Furiooooo

   #1 18th October 2011, 21:01

   Looking to get a de-cat sportex pipe, says on the eBay listing that it will not pass M.O.T, pretty understandable.
   
   Can someone please answer me is it road legal?!
   If I get pulled...what happens?
   
   I understand you can have one them change it to standard for M.O.T then change back but that just screams illegal to me!
2. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

   #2 18th October 2011, 21:09

   Nothing will happen if you get pulled providing the decat hasnt made your exhaust excessivley loud which it mot likley wont do.
   
   They dont check emmisions.
   
   You dont need a cat for an MOT. Your car needs to be below a certain Co2 level and a cat is used if its above a certain amount. Though most cars need and have one.
   
   Basically it fine.
3. user_52446 Established Member Joined: May 2011 Norwich Posts: 1430 Forteee & Furiooooo

   #3 18th October 2011, 21:12

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by db_sax Nothing will happen if you get pulled providing the decat hasnt made your exhaust excessivley loud which it mot likley wont do. They dont check emmisions. You dont need a cat for an MOT. Your car needs to be below a certain Co2 level and a cat is used if its above a certain amount. Though most cars need and have one. Basically it fine.

   Okay cheers mate, have you done this?
4. Rudpud Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Oxford Posts: 4547 '55 Plate C2 VTS

   #4 18th October 2011, 21:16

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by iTagen Okay cheers mate, have you done this?

   Loads of people have decats and are fine. I know I was fine when I had mine.
5. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

   #5 18th October 2011, 21:17

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Rudpud Loads of people have decats and are fine. I know I was fine when I had mine.

   did that include getting through MOTs too?
6. Rudpud Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Oxford Posts: 4547 '55 Plate C2 VTS

   #6 18th October 2011, 21:19

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Manu did that include getting through MOTs too?

   Never needed at MOT when I had it, so I didn't try it.
   
   OP has already stated he knows that he'll need to put it back on for the MOT though.

   1 user thanked this post: Manu
7. user_52446 Established Member Joined: May 2011 Norwich Posts: 1430 Forteee & Furiooooo

   #7 18th October 2011, 21:26

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Rudpud Loads of people have decats and are fine. I know I was fine when I had mine.

   Ahh okay cheers
8. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #8 18th October 2011, 22:06

   I believe though next year that the MOT reg`s are changing meaning that if a visual inspection reveals the absence of a cat then it`s a fail,just a heads up everyone.
9. m4tt274 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2011 Doncaster Posts: 2627 Fabia VRS, mk1 fiesta + some others

   #9 18th October 2011, 23:27

   i swap mine back for the test as it fails without a cat, but ive never had any other problems.
   
   tubi and decat made mine much louder
10. user_50089 Frequent Poster Joined: Jan 2011 Bradford on Avon (Near Bath) Posts: 653 - 1999 MK1 Citroen Saxo Westie - Dead - 2003 Niss

    #10 19th October 2011, 11:33

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by stevo67 I believe though next year that the MOT reg`s are changing meaning that if a visual inspection reveals the absence of a cat then it`s a fail,just a heads up everyone.

    yep, this.
    
    also, a CAT dramatically changes CO2 levels. almost all saxos will fail this if no cat on. mine failed with an old cat, when I changed it to a new one was fine.
    
    its decatted now and will just swap for my CAT come MOT time, still a new cat then
11. user_52858 Infrequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Posts: 178

    #11 19th October 2011, 15:47

    I got pulled with me decat, they were doing random checks on a friday night
    
    Said he could hear me coming a mile off and it was loud but that was all, breathalysed me, checked car on database whatnot and sent me on my way..
12. LSOfreak Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810

    #12 19th October 2011, 16:16

    i been pulled a couple times with the decat, one time said it was loud but never mentioned emissions etc. i imagine the only time you can get into bother with a decat is if you get waved over by the vosa checkpoints they sometimes have randomly on the side of the road etc. ive driven passed them twice now but havent been stopped. they would probably give it an emissions test i bet. but i wouldnt be too scared, its quite rare for that to happen. my decats been unnoticed for years.
    
    oh and for mot i just place a tenner into the testers top pocket and ask him to ignore my decat... and hids... and 12inch number plate
13. Manu Saxperience Addict Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 11714 A6 Le Mans tuned/A3 TFSI tuned

    #13 19th October 2011, 16:25

    Not sure if you will be able to place a tenner in the insurance inspector's hand in the unlikely event of a crash :/
    
    I can smell a decat every single time I'm following one. Now i'm wondering if the cops have the air con full on when driving or if they're just plain lazy.
14. LSOfreak Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810

    #14 19th October 2011, 16:33

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Manu Not sure if you will be able to place a tenner in the insurance inspector's hand in the unlikely event of a crash :/ I can smell a decat every single time I'm following one. Now i'm wondering if the cops have the air con full on when driving or if they're just plain lazy.

    my 'aftermarket exhaust system' is declared they never asked if it had a cat lol