Hi all has the legality of sports cats changed as it says on scoobyworld site now not for road use? if the part keeps it in line with MOT emissions will it still be legal?

 

AFAIK the letter of the law is such that only an E-marked approved spare (i.e. from Subaru) is within the law.

This doesn't mean that a Sports cat can't pass an MOT, just that when the "tree huggers" bend us over, they can shaft us with yet more legislation that's doing little but annoy enthusiasts, and attempt to drive smaller businesses to the wall.

IMHO

dunx

 

so what does it mean then?

 

Dunx's post wasn't clear enough for you?

 

would i be asking?
Sounds a bit stupid if it isnt subaru it isnt legal although it passes an mot. so what happens to all the people who already run an aftermarket cat

 

The police don't have time to check every car in the UK, they've got other easier ways of making money out of the motorist.

 

probably end up looking for a prodrive cat then

 

Bloody hell it makes my blood boil (not for road use) what else you going to do with it maybe use it as a big pipe thing and smoke some legal type substance through it.
If you want it just buy it, you only live once, whats the wort that can happen?

 

Of the 1000's of people on SN i think you will struggle to find one that has been done for having a non Subaru Cat on which has past an emissions test!

 

That's a sports cat anyway so is that not legal

 

it will be legal if it is a prodrive one as they are factory fitted type in association with subaru. I cant see how a law like this can be enforced

 

all type 25s have a milltek sport cat so are they OK?

 

A manufacture has nothing to do with it, it doesn't have to be approved my a manufacture. This post is confusing road legal with manufactures warranties. The part does need to be e-marked to be technically legal and used on the highway, but in this particular example as long as it passes the minimum emissions requirement for the vehicle then you won't have a problem as no-one is going to go looking for the e-mark.

 

The Prodrive item isn't within the law either, that's why it's fitted by dealers after the sale of the vehicle, so Subaru UK aren't legally liable.

dunx

 

For most owners being pulled for a sports cat is the least of their worries ! If you have an MOT and don't drive like a conspicuous toss monkey you will be fine.

 

Doesn't matter who manufactures them - it's a case of whether they are type approved. The Motor Vehicles Regulations 2009 (SI 2009 No. 1899) and the Motor Cycle Regulations 2009 (SI 2009 No. 1896) came into effect on 13/08/2009. This is from a document I came across that explains it:

1. Requirements for catalytic converters

Type approved catalytic converters

The MV Regulations apply to replacement catalytic converters intended for cars (category M1) and light vans (category N1) that are fitted with (or were fitted with when the original certificate of conformity for the vehicle was issued) an original equipment catalytic converter and were first used on or after 1st March 2001.

The MV regulations permit the sale and installation of new original and non-original replacement catalytic converters for these vehicles only if the replacements are marked in accordance with the MV Regulations and, in the case of sales, are accompanied by the information specified in, the MV Regulations.

The marking requirements for original and non-original replacement catalytic converters are different. Original replacements must be clearly and indelibly marked with the vehicle manufacturer’s name or trademark, and the make and
identifying part number of the replacement. Non-original replacements must be clearly and indelibly marked with an EC (or if appropriate ECE) Type Approval mark and, wherever possible, be visible when the unit is installed on the vehicle.

All new catalytic converters offered for sale shall be accompanied by certain information:

• The vehicle manufacturer’s name or trademark and the make and identifying part number (for original replacement catalytic converter) of the unit
• The catalytic converter manufacturer’s name or trademark (for non-original
replacement catalytic converter)
• The vehicle(s) for which the catalytic converter is type approved (non-original catalytic converters) or for which the catalyst is covered by the type approval for the vehicle, including, where applicable, a marking to
identify if the product is suitable for a vehicle equipped with an on – board diagnostic (OBD) system
• Installation instructions, where necessary

This information must be available in the product catalogue distributed to points of sale by the vehicle or catalyst manufacturer. It may also be provided either as a leaflet accompanying the catalytic converter, on the packaging in which the catalytic converter is sold or by any other applicable means.

Non – type approved catalytic converters

Non type approved replacement catalytic converters can be offered for sale and fitted to vehicles registered before 1st March 2001 or vehicles registered at any time which are certified under the Single Vehicle Approval scheme (SVA). These replacement catalytic converters must be marked or labelled with the message:

“ILLEGAL TO SUPPLY FOR TYPE-APPROVED VEHICLES FIRST USED ON OR AFTER 1/3/01”

 

They are not factory fitted - they too are also aftermarket

 

On a practical note, given the location of the cat and the fact that it will be very hot (if you get stopped) and will have heat discoloration how on earth is anyone going to discern the markings on it.

 

IIRC the new regs are more about retailers than car owners as there are few ways that VOSA or the police can check when they pull you over as they have to start dismantling the car to check.

I suspect the idea is to limit these by making the harder to buy and over time the non approved ones will disappear. If you can pass a roadside emissions test then I suspect that you'll be fine. Of course that doesn't mean I condone the use of non approved cats, but I suspect that the regs are such that any installed before the changes came into force will be fine.

 

The regulations cover sale and installation. From the document:

"VCA will be seeking to enforce the regulations by conducting market surveillance in various ways including:

• Random visits to the premises of UK replacement catalytic converter and diesel particulate filters manufacturers and distributors
• Random visits to various points of sale or exhaust fitting centres to ensure correct installation of approved units are carried out
• Attendance at appropriate Trade Shows
• The monitoring of trade publications and the Internet
• Dealing with specific complaints and spot checks test on products at approved laboratories"

 

Just found it again online here

 

These new regs were brought in to stop people from supplying / fitting cheap and nasty after market cats to their vehicles... These cats were notorious for getting a car through an mot on the cheap, but then failed again within the year.

After market cats (as well as origonal fittment) now have to be built to an industry standard & the fine for either supplying or fitting a substandard unit is £10,000 per item, split evenly between the supplier & the fitter!!

 

So mines ok - car registered in UK early '99.... apart from it doesn't have
stamped on it


And of course this is for a part that creates more pollution and increases fuel usage...