V8 disco 1. 1997

hi, My 1997 disco 1 V8 has just failed its mot on having no cats, and the emissions outside permitted level.

It has had fitted a Rimmer Bros SS Sports exhaust, inc Manifolds.

I am struggling to be able to fit the downpipe with cats because the unions are different.

Is there any way around this issue that you know of. I m happy to spend reasonable amount of money to fix this as the car is in excellent condition with only 64k genuine mileage.

Any info appreciated.

Thanks

Will

My understanding is it doesn't need to have a cat fitted, you just needs to get the emissions right??
First off when was it serviced last what's the air filter/plugs/HT leads etc like?
A good service and check up should help identify why the emissions are high

Hi, thanks for reply.

The fail sheet lists 'having no Cat/Con where one was fitted' as a single item.

The service was done at 59,600 miles in July last year. Just before I bought it. I think the exhaust was changed about 4 yrs ago - so obviously passed mot in the past.

I can change filters etc to see if it makes difference, it's just there's no way to check without going back to testing station.

Thanks again

Do you know what date the vehicle was first registered, and how many seats it has ?

The reason I ask is that government regulations are that all "passenger vehicles" registered on or after 1st August 1994 must be fitted with a catalytic converter.

The get out clause is what is considered a "passenger vehicle"

VOSA's documentation says this

"Passenger Vehicle" definition
A "passenger vehicle" is a motor vehicle which

• is constructed or adapted for use for the carriage of passengers and is not a goods hehicle, and
• has no more than 5 seats (including occasional seats) in addition to the driver's seat, and
• has a maximum gross weight not exceeding 2500kg, and
• has 4 for more wheels

The key point here is point 2, a seven-seater has 7 seats and is therefore not considered a "passenger vehicle" for the purposes of this regulation. vehicles not covered by this only need a catalytic converter if registered on or after 1st August 1997

If yours is 7 seats and registered before august 2007, then it does not legally need to be fitted with cats

I have a 1996 7-seater with no cats and it has succesfully passed its MOT every year since I took them off 6 years ago

Thanks for the info,

It is 7 seater, was reg 97 but it was originally 'R' plated (has personal plate now) which I think is after aug 1st.

Thanks again

Got it Mot'd after fitting a universal Cat (£72) from ebay.

Emissions were fine . It seems to be running a lot smoother too .