at what year do cars not need emissons tests??

as above please - am looking at different modding options but some may push the car over its emissions limit, can anyone tell me what year they bought the test in for. my 75 bug doesnt need one but my 91 golf does.
many thanks

1976 (P reg) I think?

Can't understand why different modding options would push the car over the emissions limit though - you'd modify to make more power, not more emissions, surely? Maybe you can explain why you think it might….???

well i have a mk4 and it recently went in for MOT . it has larger turbo remap and with the decat was well over. with cat was just passable..

now if i was to mod the mk1. and possiblity of maybe even putting a larger engine in it. what happens then if even a sweet perfect transplanted engine say a abf or 1.8t emissions is higher that what the golf should be im stuck ?!? does that make sense?

i just didnt know if i was going to do a engine swop it was worth first buying an older golf that doesnt need an emissions test.

The fact that your Mk4 failed because it didn't have a cat (had a decat) is to be expected - the cat is there for a reason, like it or loathe it.

The MoT emissions test is based on the age of the engine or the car, whichever is older. So, 1.8T engines swapped into a Mk1 Golf have a very easy time! No cat needed on a Mk1 Golf (unless really late cabby etc) People don't really have issues unless their engine is worn out or not set up properly, and if its either of these, you'd want to get it sorted irrespective of the MoT test (have you seen the price of fuel???)

PS just avoid really late cabby, ie 1992 and on - although these probably don't need a cat test anyway, due to the Mk1 Golf being an older design (the MoT testers have a detailed list of cars and their test requirement which varies a little between the years of 1992-1994, ie post 1992 cars get an easier test if they're older designs).

My 1991 Cabby had the emissions tested last week

baggie said

My 1991 Cabby had the emissions tested last week

Do you know what test they did on it?

paul_c said

baggie said

My 1991 Cabby had the emissions tested last week

Do you know what test they did on it?

Just put a tester in exhaust, In Germany they are massive on it, we always rag the Army trucks for a good half hour before hand, I knew my babe would pass at she had done 960 Kms 2 hours before the inspection, take you car out and drive it like a mad man for 30 mins

There's several different tests though, basically as cars get newer, the tests get tighter. Pre 1960 and pretty much anything goes unless you can't see the back of the car for smoke!

well mine is a 91 plate - and i cant remember if there was an emission test two years ago (car off the road last year) - basically i want to find out as much as i can before i comit to any major work - am thinking either a abf or a deisel of some descripton. - so i guess i just need to go to the garage where the test will be and see what they will do ??

Don't worry about it, its a non-issue.

haha yeh i guess thats the best method

Our 89 cabby had emissions test last week with mot and passed fine, it was well under the limit  

Curtesey of HaynesOnline

CO emissions (mixture)         

    At the time of writing, for vehicles first used between 1st August 1975 and 31st July 1986 (P to C registration), the CO level must not exceed 4.5% by volume. For vehicles first used between 1st August 1986 and 31st July 1992 (D to J registration), the CO level must not exceed 3.5% by volume. Vehicles first used after 1st August 1992 (K registration) must conform to the manufacturer's specification. The MOT tester has access to a DOT database or emissions handbook, which lists the CO and HC limits for each make and model of vehicle. The CO level is measured with the engine at idle speed, and at "fast idle". The following limits are given as a general guide: At idle speed - CO level no more than 0.5% At "fast idle" (2500 to 3000 rpm) - CO level no more than 0.3% (minimum oil temperature 60ºC) If the CO level cannot be reduced far enough to pass the test (and the fuel and ignition systems are otherwise in good condition) then the carburettor is badly worn, or there is some problem in the fuel injection system or catalytic converter (as applicable).

HC emissions         

    With the CO within limits, HC emissions for vehicles first used between 1st August 1975 and 31st July 1992 (P to J registration) must not exceed 1200 ppm. Vehicles first used after 1st August 1992 (K registration) must conform to the manufacturer's specification. The MOT tester has access to a DOT database or emissions handbook, which lists the CO and HC limits for each make and model of vehicle. The HC level is measured with the engine at "fast idle". The following is given as a general guide: At "fast idle" (2500 to 3000 rpm) - HC level no more than 200 ppm (minimum oil temperature 60ºC)
Excessive HC emissions are caused by incomplete combustion, the causes of which can include oil being burnt, mechanical wear and ignition/fuel system malfunction.

Diesel models         

    The only emission test applicable to Diesel engines is the measuring of exhaust smoke density. The test involves accelerating the engine several times to its maximum unloaded speed. Note: it is of the utmost importance that the engine timing belt is in good condition before the test is carried out.
The limits for Diesel engine exhaust smoke, introduced in September 1995 are:
Vehicles first used before 1st August 1979: Exempt from metered smoke testing, but must not emit "dense blue or clearly visible black smoke for a period of more than 5 seconds at idle" or "dense blue or clearly visible black smoke during acceleration which would obscure the view of other road users".
Non-turbocharged vehicles first used after 1st August 1979: 2.5m-1
Turbocharged vehicles first used after 1st August 1979: 3.0m-1
Excessive smoke can be caused by a dirty air cleaner element. Otherwise, professional advice may be needed to find the cause.

Took my corrado for an mot today, thought it would fail as the guy i bought it off said he'd de catted it(the piece of exhaust in the car when i bought was, also a give away).
anyway the mot tester did'nt pick up on it. turns out it was only enforced after 1994. good news for me, still didnt pass though. Boo!