Exhaust dates fixed
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• Christopher Chope, the Minister for Roads and Traffic, has finally announced the date when exhaust emission tests of petrolengined vans and cars are to be included in the MoT.
Testing starts on 1 November and include a hydrocarbons check. The required levels are: 0 4.5% carbon monoxide for vehicles first used on or after 1 August 1983.
.0 6% carbon monoxide for vehicles first used between 1 August 1975 and 31 July 1983.
E 1,200 parts per million hydrocarbons for vehicles first used after 1 August 1975.
Vehicles will also be visually checked for excessive smoke. However there is a proviso that the carbon monoxide levels will not have to be below those specified by the vehicle manufacturers.
Including a hydrocarbon test "will enable MoT testers to be sure the engine is running normally before they carry out the CO check", says Chope.
Once the regulations are in force the police will be empowered to stop and check vehicles for exhaust emissions.
Chope did not mention any increase in the MoT fee to cover the new test. The proposal to offer free retests within 24 days of vehicles failing to meet the emission standard has now been dropped.
These emission limits will be progressively tightened to reflect improved engine technology and to accommodate EC regulations.
They will be radically altered in 1993 when complying with EC regulations will entail the fitting of catalytic converters to petrol engines. Work continues on finding a quick and simple exhaust test for diesel engines which are excluded from these regulations. 0 Goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes laden can be tested at MoT stations from 18 March. Garages will need a 3.5-tonne capacity lift before they can be certified to carry out Class 7 MoTs on vehicles between 3,000kg and 3,500kg.
Class 7 MoTs will also be carried out at HGV testing stations. Vehicles with an existing HGV certificate need not be retested until its expiry date.