My Pre CAT T4 has Failed MOT for not having a CAT, how do I prove it was built without one?

**Dale R** · 15-10-2011,06:01 PM

Hi, My T4 was built in '92 and has an AAC 1968cc engine, as far as I know it has never had a Catalytic converter and until it failed its MOT today, (on emissions) has never been tested as if it had a CAT. The garage phoned and said that it would need a new CAT and exhaust so I went down and told them it did not have a CAT, they said they cannot give it an MOT certificate as the book says it should have a CAT. How do I prove it was never built with a CAT so I can get my van back ?

**Crasher** · 15-10-2011,09:19 PM

Can you PM me your reg number please?

**Alan G H** · 15-10-2011,09:26 PM

If it is a van (non passenger vehicle), then it should have a non-cat test if it is first used before 1-8-94. If you google the car testers manual, you will find the flow charts in section 7.3. Try printing out the flow chart, and taking it to the garage. If that doesn't work, get on to VOSA. Good luck, Alan.

**Dale R** · 16-10-2011,05:36 PM

Thanks I have now emailed VOSA for clarification on the rules and autosleeper who converted it into a campervan to confirm when it was built. The garage still have my van!

**Alan G H** · 16-10-2011,07:06 PM

You didn't say it was a campervan. However, it still makes no difference, the testers manual says that converted vehicles (campervans) should be treated like the original van they were converted from, so your 1992 camper still does not have to have a cat to pass the test. Tell the garage to read the information in the testers manual on their computer, if they are still not sure they should ring their helpline. If they still will not budge, ask for an appeal form. THEY are wrong, if it is definitely 1992.
Good luck.

**Dale R** · 17-10-2011,11:17 AM

I have my van back

But with a failed MOT

The engine was built on 20/08/92 which according to VOSA means it should have a CAT as it was built after 01/08/92 :- This is going to cost

. It is possible that a previous owner had the CAT replaiced with a through pipe as the exhaust does not have a Lambda sensor either. Any ideas as to how much a CAT and Lambda will be to fit? So that I can return my van to the required spec to pass the MOT

**Crasher** · 17-10-2011,11:22 AM

There was a no cat version and there should be a lambda sensor in your exhaust manifold. If not I am puzzled and without one a cat is not going to work very well. Did you check the registration number you sent me?

**Dale R** · 17-10-2011,02:38 PM

The nice man from VOSA had a chat with the garage and told them they did the wrong test (catalyst equipped with closed loop control)

, then phoned me. Re-test this week no charge

I just hope it passes the non-Cat gas test this time

.
still puzzled as to why it does not have a lambda sensor though

. thanks for the help

**Alan G H** · 17-10-2011,08:49 PM

Dale, As I said, the garage got it wrong. They should have been testing it as the goods vehicle chassis it was converted from, built before 1994, which has a non-cat test. If it doesn't have a cat, it probably doesn't have fuel injection (or only an early system without a lambda sensor). Anyway, hope it passes this time.

Alan.