Bought a subaru sport, sti replica on Sunday. It is a 2000 plate (W) with 96k on the car, but it has got a full service history either from subaru or scooby clinic and a folder full of reciepts and all previous MOT's, so mileage is correct.

The only problem is, not necessary a problem for all. But it has not exhaust cat. Now I have never had a car with no Cat so not really sure what to expect other than the exhaust been a lot louder. There appears to be a petrol smell, not really strong, unless you go really near it. Is this normal for a car with no cat. I know that it would fail an MOT, but please let me know.

I cannot smell anything at all in the car and car seems ok on petrol. There is light smoke until it warms up, but no more than what I would not expect.

I am concerned but I am hoping it is down to the cat been removed.

Please let me know if I am right or what this could be.

To lighten the mood I have posted a picture to generate further interest in the thread to help me.

 

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What coloUr is the smoke? Blue being oil, black generally fuel and White is hydrocarbons. White perfectly normal when cold. Once warm itcan be a sign of head gasket problems. If you can only smell fuel when cold then this can be normal for some cars, especially if tick over is quite high.