DPF instant MOT fail

[grober]

One of the criteria for a "Dangerous" flag is the vehicle's effect on environment, DPF removed?

I'm going to guess at this one with the aid of the above mentioned annex 1 in
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-cont...2014.127.01.0051.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2014:127:TOC
relevant section is 8 NUISANCE
In it failure of exhaust emissions appears to be a major but not dangerous failure.
However major leakage of fluids fuel, engine oil, hydraulic fluid adblue? etc under
8.4.1 fluid leaks can be major or dangerous quote:-
Any excessive fluid leak, other than water, likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users.
Steady formation of drops that constitutes a very serious risk.

 

[tbourner]

I'm glad I sold my diesel and bought an environmentally friendly AMG instead.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

It's that word 'reportedly' again. Do quote your source, would you? Otherwise it's just 'lies, damned lies and statistics' as reported/spun by the media, isn't it?

There are numerous non-media sources that have been quoted many times in this forum so don’t need to be repeated here. However I still used the word ‘reportedly’ rather than falling into the all too common trap of repeating such things as undeniable fact. My comment was merely to highlight one of the views that could possibly be taken in interpreting the severity of a removed/altered DPF.

 

[chrisk2010]

I was discussing with my brother the weekend about him getting a new car and he is considering a diesel.

I told him not to bother as right now he would be stepping into the unknown with regulations and road tax. You will pay one way or another.

From reading this thread i see that the one thing every agrees on is it is down to the MOT tester to decide if he/she will hand you your keys back and to be honest that scares me!.

I bet kwik fit are rubbing there hands together on this one considering i asked them to check a slight oil leak last year when they changed th tyres on my golf and they came back saying that the head gasket had gone. Upon looking myself it was a sump bung.

I'm not disputing that deisels need tighter regulations but it will give dishonest garages the chance to hold a car for ransom and if you need your car recovered i'm sure the insurance companies will be very pleased to increase there prices to cover this.

It just has that feeling of returning to the wild west to me.

 

[flowrider]

For MOT testers that also do repairs the new regs could be a license to print money for a few unscrupulous testers. I have been taking our cars to a tester that only does MOT's for the last few years, we have 5 cars, and so far they have all passed (some advisories only), before that our cars regularly failed on something that the previous MOT/garage happily quoted for. In future you could be presented with £100 on a repair or possibly £150 for a flatbed.....make your choice!

 

[grober]

It would appear then, that going forward, it will pay owners to chose their MOT testing station with the same care they might chose the dealer/specialist/local garage for servicing their car. Hopefully we have put to bed the idea that a failure on the grounds of emissions only will result in the car being classified as dangerous. Other mechanical scams such as "worn" ball joints and "leaking" steering racks may take on an added significance, but they have always been with us to an extent under the old regs? In a way its still the old dynamic that you have to build up a relationship with any garage you use. If they have had your business [ i.e. money] already they are going to try to maintain that by treating you fairly. If they don't do MOT's then its likely they will have a business "relationship" with a garage who does and will fight your corner for you should there be any doubt. They may send several cars per week to the MOT station so they will have a degree of influence. If however you roll up to an MOT station/garage who has never clapped eyes on you before then the dynamic changes- you are just another punter?
Not that this is ever going to happen of course as your car is going to be so well maintained that its bound to sail through anything they throw at it.

 

[m80]

I'm hoping to be enlightened 'cos I see much argument and confusion ahead.

"The car hasn't got it's DPF, it must have been removed."

"It didn't have a DPF from new so not part of your test."

Assuming the whole DPF and associated pipework has been removed is the MOT tester now to check the VIN for clarification, or is there another way for the tester to clarify? From 2004, that is the Euro 4 era, when DPF's were fitted as an option it could be confusing.

Do we believe here that a tester can 'always' identify that a DPF has been gutted / tampered with?
With the DPF mapped out of the system but pipework left in place, and with the DPF gutted but restored to the original look in that the seems are as they were visually, how can the tester know?

I'm aware that VOSA are highlighting DPF tampering at roadside checks, is their inspection visual only?

 

[grober]

In the circumstances [time band]where there is some doubt then it might be wise to be forearmed with documentary evidence { from factory build data - supplied by an MB dealer from your VIN number} about the cars original DPF status. In terms of the regs on the DPF being gutted or not , I believe any doubts on visual inspection is grounds for not continuing with the test*- there's a slight difference betwen that and a failure. This may also apply where engine cladding may not be easily removed and thus prevent inspection of any crucial emission related components -again its a "failure to test" rather than a fail.
* again the onus appears to be with the owner to supply documentary evidence [ invoices? ] that the DPF had been removed for cleaning for example

 

[Black Scorpion]

There is a garage in Durham City who are classed as a tuning and remap garage all be it a s**t one.
Until very, very recently they were banging the drum to have DPF removal done as one of their specialities to cure DPF issues.
Now the same cowboys are telling people the new rules for MOT's and to have the DPF cleaned to rectify any issues.
Like others have said this is a licence to print money for some of these cowboy garages.

 

[Petrol Pete]

I'm hoping to be enlightened 'cos I see much argument and confusion ahead.

"The car hasn't got it's DPF, it must have been removed."

"It didn't have a DPF from new so not part of your test."

Assuming the whole DPF and associated pipework has been removed is the MOT tester now to check the VIN for clarification, or is there another way for the tester to clarify? From 2004, that is the Euro 4 era, when DPF's were fitted as an option it could be confusing.

Do we believe here that a tester can 'always' identify that a DPF has been gutted / tampered with?
With the DPF mapped out of the system but pipework left in place, and with the DPF gutted but restored to the original look in that the seems are as they were visually, how can the tester know?

I'm aware that VOSA are highlighting DPF tampering at roadside checks, is their inspection visual only?

It will be the MOT testers duty to check. if he is unsure he could just pass it to get it out of the way for the next one, or do it properly and fail the car pending an appeal. I'm sure online tunes will be available. When I get back to the UK I will pay my friend a visit and ask him . He owns a garage and 2 MOT stations.

 

[Londonscottish]

There is a garage in Durham City who are classed as a tuning and remap garage all be it a s**t one.
Until very, very recently they were banging the drum to have DPF removal done as one of their specialities to cure DPF issues.
Now the same cowboys are telling people the new rules for MOT's and to have the DPF cleaned to rectify any issues.
Like others have said this is a licence to print money for some of these cowboy garages.

I just did a quick search and a bunch of these people are near me offering DPF removal, mileage correction and remaps.

All they need to is add in illegal tints, fart cans and dodgy documents and we have a full chavmobile service.

 

[markjay]

I just did a quick search and a bunch of these people are near me offering DPF removal, mileage correction and remaps.

All they need to is add in illegal tints, fart cans and dodgy documents and we have a full chavmobile service.

...and video in motion, and headlamp LED converstions, all for (ahmm) 'off road use only'.

 

[Petrol Pete]

...and video in motion, and headlamp LED converstions, all for (ahmm) 'off road use only'.

And number plates modified to say something no one understands...or cares about.

 

[wu56Shoozz]

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj2zOSUu-baAhVsBsAKHb-8BgsQFjAAegQIABAy&url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mot-changes-20-may-2018&usg=AOvVaw2pFjb6aXzJqqsU3aCq5Aup

A Little clarity perhaps?

The new MOT rules this month - This is how it could affect you

 

[wu56Shoozz]

Here's another for us "Older vehicles without DPF"

Tougher MOT tests from May will put diesel drivers in the line of fire

 

[saff]

My S211 E220 cdi is Euro4 according to CARinfo but I'm unsure if it has a DPF. It seems that some Euro4 cars had a DPF. This may make a difference come the next MoT.

Anyone else with a Euro4 E class know if their car has a DPF or not?

 

[grober]

My S211 E220 cdi is Euro4 according to CARinfo but I'm unsure if it has a DPF. It seems that some Euro4 cars had a DPF. This may make a difference come the next MoT.

Anyone else with a Euro4 E class know if their car has a DPF or not?

Post up your vin and someone will check for you*, but as I said before a printout from an MB dealer preferably on their headed stationery to give it an "air of authenticity " might be better to present to the MOT testing station in case of doubt. The MB dealer might ask you to supply proof of car ownership/ identity if you request this- they can be sticky that way sometimes.

* if the car was not supplied new to you there's always the possibility its had its DPF gutted/removed by a previous owner despite being fitted originally- this could also possibly apply to any EGR valve blanking/defeat/removal also.

 

[ph47mf]

I'd love to see how they try to stop me from leaving the premises with MY car.

 

[grober]

@saff Some more info on your OM646 engine. nothing on DPF's mind.
Google Translate

I believe the SA build code to look for in the spec is 474

another web article [authenticity unknown] states
Mercedes – All pre 2003 models do not have DPF’s. Some 220cdi series cars had DPF’s fitted in 2004 and 2005 production years, but this was put on hold due to negative customer feedback, and so most late 2005 to Early 2008 C220cdi cars did not have DPF’s fitted till the introduction of Euro 5.

 

[Delayed Steve]

I'd love to see how they try to stop me from leaving the premises with MY car.

I can't see that they'll try to, I'm sure you'll be allowed to take it to be repaired elsewhere.
I can just see someone in a £500 Fiesta failing and been told you'll have to get it recovered !
I'm sure the answer will be "keep it then" and owner walking away.
The test center would be jammed up with abandoned scrappers..