MOT Emissions fail. (Plate limit used).

[Doggysitter]

Hi guys and girls.

As the title says, my W203 C220 sport coupe (cl203) from 2004 went into a mot place and failed the emissions test. The output of my car was 1.94 which is ok'ish considering she has 190K on the clock. The limit used to be 3.0 and she passed each time.
The tester says the law changed and the plate limit of 0.8 has to be used and there is no arguament allowed. I found out that the MOT Test station made a note on the MOT system that the plate limit must be used for future tests.
That's my good condition car off the road for the time being.....

I noticed that Merceded are also involved in the "Dieselgate" scandal where they were not exactly truthfull about the real emissions. The class action in the USA is finished but the EU and GB are still arguing the toss. This isn't a good situation. I'm thinking i'll try and find an old fashioned backwater testing station that is sympathetic to us poor owners that take care of our cars.

Has anyone else been shafted on this rule and if so how did you resolve the issue?

 

[Sam87]

I'm not sure if I remember right but your car being a 2004 model, I think the limit should be about 1.5 and not 0.8. You're right about the limit being 3.0 before but now there is a sticker on most cas and the limit is actually stamped in that sticker from factory what it should be. I don't think its 0.5 on your car as that's for cars that are normally much newer than 2004

If you look at this sticker in your car, you should see what the limit is. I've circled it in red the numbers you need to look for in your car



If the mot station got it wrong, before going back to them for a retest, try and find an empty quite road and drive the car hard in first and second gear for 5 mins or so ( hot engine) and that should bring the readings down a bit more than 1.94

 

[Gazwould]

Try having a early 1.9 2000's VW that was putting out 2.00 in multiple mot tests with a plate value of 0.60 !!

It's model successor and on a 2009 is 1.00 and a 2009 Ford 1.8 tdci is 1.75 ( default will be 1.50 ) !!

I had started using two stroke oil occasionally and this brought it down to 1.50 , then the next year after using it every tank was 1.00 , I did read but took no notice at the time someone saying it halved their smoke test .

Then May 2018 happened , after my half reduction I was still some way from 0.60 and worried .

A new thermostat sorted it and now it blows 0.34 , all is not lost .

From 2.00 to 0.34

 

[Doggysitter]

Good stuff Sam87, my plate deffo shows 0.8. Thinking I may clean the EGR valve out and the recirculating inlet etc. That cant do any harm I guess. Also I have found a dead glowplug so thats getting done next.
Gazwoulds suggestion of a new thermostat is good advice too, thanks. The cooling system is working effectively so ruled out thankfully, however the suggestion of an itallian tune up after I have fixed the other stuff will happen. I'll make sure she is good and hot when mot'd and tell the tester I'm not happy for him to rev it hard.

 

[markjay]

Re EGR, cleaning anything you get to is obviously a good idea. Also, before taking the car for the Italian tune-up, give it everything you got... cat leaner, injectors cleaner, a thankful of Shell V-Power, etc (not all at the same time though). Give it a fighting chance...

PS you can also consider seafoam or terraclean, cost permitting.

 

[Stratman]

Last year my W203 C200CDi was close to the emissions limits in its MOT (failed on some suspension components), even though I drove it like I stole it on the way to the test. I bought some Millers Diesel Power Eco max, added the specified amount to a full tank, drove it around in an 'enthusiastic' manner for half a tank, filled up, added more Millers and took it for the retest. Here are the before and after numbers:-

BEFORE
Smoke Reading
Peak 1 - 1.98
Peak 2 - 2.70
Peak 3 - 2.64

Zero Drift - 0.02

Average - 2.42

AFTER
Smoke Reading
Peak 1 - 0.03

Zero Drift - 0.02

Average - 0.01

 

[markjay]

And if you do manage to reduce the emissions, pass the MOT, and keep the car on the road for another year, then going forward either use Shell V-Power, or add fuel system cleaner on regular basis, it will make it easier for the car to pass next year's MOT.

 

[Doggysitter]

Guys.
Thank you for ALL the useful advice.
I did all that was suggested and additionally replaced some glowplugs.

She passed!
Another year on the road for me and Im switching to V Power fuel to help keep her clean.

Thank you for the advice.

 

[clk320x]

Guys.
Thank you for ALL the useful advice.
I did all that was suggested and additionally replaced some glowplugs.

She passed!
Another year on the road for me and Im switching to V Power fuel to help keep her clean.

Thank you for the advice.

Was it the Millers that helped in the end?

 

[Gazwould]

Guys.
Thank you for ALL the useful advice.
I did all that was suggested and additionally replaced some glowplugs.

She passed!
Another year on the road for me and Im switching to V Power fuel to help keep her clean.

Thank you for the advice.

Mega bucks for what is exactly the same base fuel.
The b@stards are making a mint out of you !


Do your own adding...

 

[ProfGURJ1976]

Try Cataclean see below although the mot pass guarantee offer is finished
Reduces emissions and Nox. Pass the MOT emissions test – or your money back! | MOT Test Information