MOT question..... Side exit exhaust related

[Colonelk]

I know there are quite a few MOT testers and skilled modders on here, so thought Id ask the opinion of those in the know.

I was under the car the other day, and my exhaust (with the help of lending it to my father and some speed bumps ) is pretty much fudged. I could patch it all back up with a bit of work. The car is also not really going anywhere with a duff master cylinder. So whilst idly sitting at home I had a cunning plan ;D

There was a way by which I could have a cool side exit exhaust exiting just about by the B-pillar on the drivers side. However, the only thing really in the way is the sill. Now I'm sure I heard on here that its OK for the MOT man to put a 'U' section in the sill, if its properly seam welded up again. In my case it would be a low profile, longish squareish U if you get my meaning I have tried to search for info on this but no joy I have a strange hankering for a daft exhaust.

So MOT men of britain...... what say you?

Just for some obligatory pic action.......

[sparko]

i think the whole thing with exausts is that its ok if no gasses collect under the car so as long as it sticks out past/level with the bodywork you should be ok

[daverapid]

:)Modification of the sills are OK if it's seam welded and is considered not to be significantly weaker than the original sill.

Side exit exhausts are fine, a few vans have side exit exhausts. Citroen Relay springs to mind.

[rtlkyuubi]

will that be ok for the mot?

[surprisingskoda]

is it legal to have those ones that exit from the front bumper etc? as long as it meets emissions/noise obv?

[briandamaged]

surprisingskoda said:

is it legal to have those ones that exit from the front bumper etc? as long as it meets emissions/noise obv?

Well, if it's legal on these.....


Might sound a bit daft, though.

Going off-beam I remember talking to a grizzly old road-worrior trucker at a show who reckoned the exhaust note from these old Foden 2-strokes was so loud that if he drove one up a narrow street at maximum throttle he could shatter milk bottles on doorsteps.

[BenzBoy]

Hmmm, this subject has been on my mind too. Glad it's all OK. I had thought that the zorst has to exit after the passenger compartment, but obviously I'm wrong. I'll just need to find a deaf MOT tester now.

[berendd]

I know the rules over here say that your exhaust has to end backwards from the last opening side window/door

so if you have popouts a side exit is a no go..

also having the exhaust popping out on the passenger side is not allowed, due to cyclists being on that side..

for the rest it just has to be gastight till the exit.

[Dez]

theres no laws at all, certainly not MOT wise anyway, about where an exhaust can or cant exit.

even if a modified exhaust is noisy as fook, the wording states that-

'assess subjectively the effectiveness of the silencer in reducing exhaust noise to a level considered to be average for the vehicle.'

which is wide open to interpretation, but technically, they cant compare it to a stock vehicle, they have to compare it to another vehicle the same as yours (and your vehicle could be, for example, a ford pop with a 5L v8)with a similar modified exhaust- and where are they gunna find one of those?

basically, as long as the mounts are secure (and hold the exhaust off the bottom of the car+ any suspension parts), and it doesnt have a leak in it thats more than a pinhole, its a pass.

[froggy]

for me it would depend on the vehicle ,if a chavmobile came in with a 6" pipe blarting away i would fail it but as said before something oddball that i don't see very often i cant compare like for like but mainstream cars with stupid exhausts get on my tits so i fail them but when a knobbers exhaust is fitted there are usually coilbound springs and tyres rubbing on the arches too

[dollywobbler]

I've got a side exit on the 2CV - although the rear windows don't open which is nice! The rule about that isn't an MoT one but Type Approval I think - although I'm not sure how the McLaren Merc gets around that if it is the case...

Mind you, I've got exhaust leaks in the engine bay which fill the cabin up with fumes at the moment. Top off driving only!

[Colonelk]

Thanks for all the input guys my main concern was with the sill modifications, as I think Ive got enough space for ample silencing.

[dollywobbler]

Ah, my mate has just had a 2CV fail on the side exit exhaust! I've told him to check the regs as I've never had an issue with different stations too.

[425ci]

colonelk said:

Thanks for all the input guys my main concern was with the sill modifications, as I think Ive got enough space for ample silencing.

One thing to bear in mind that hasn't been mentioned yet is that if you modify the sill you are altering the monocoque, and in the eyes of the DVLA that means that the monocoque isn't, as they stipulate, 'original and unmodified'.

If an MOT tester decides to inform the DVLA you could have your car called in for inspection and sent for an SVA test AND end up with a Q-plate. The Q-plate isn't the worst of it because you might not be able to get your car through an SVA test.

The reason why I'm mentioning it is because the DVLA are starting to clamp down on the identities of modified vehicles (in line with their recent proposals) and more and more accounts of problems are starting to appear. Just ask anyone into hot rods or customs!

[Colonelk]

Ah. That sounds a bit crappy! My MOT man is normally pretty sound though. Ill have to have a think on that one then.

[Dez]

425ci said:

colonelk said:

Thanks for all the input guys my main concern was with the sill modifications, as I think Ive got enough space for ample silencing.

One thing to bear in mind that hasn't been mentioned yet is that if you modify the sill you are altering the monocoque, and in the eyes of the DVLA that means that the monocoque isn't, as they stipulate, 'original and unmodified'.

If an MOT tester decides to inform the DVLA you could have your car called in for inspection and sent for an SVA test AND end up with a Q-plate. The Q-plate isn't the worst of it because you might not be able to get your car through an SVA test.

The reason why I'm mentioning it is because the DVLA are starting to clamp down on the identities of modified vehicles (in line with their recent proposals) and more and more accounts of problems are starting to appear. Just ask anyone into hot rods or customs!

repair your rusty sills, flare/roll your rear arches, or remove your side trim and youve done the same.........

[paulb]

new MOT laws have been introduced to try and stop modifications on cars...

the MOT laws have now stated the exhaust must follow where possible the original route and be sensibly quiet..
the MOT guide book ...quote..

a silencer in such condition, or of such a type, that the noise emitted from the vehicle is clearly unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle with a silencer in average condition..


in real words...if its unreasonably louder than standard....it will fail..

it can also fail on another quote..

A part of the system missing or excessively detiorated.....

so, if it was originally built box, then it should still have one.

most MOT guy's are sensible on these things but it's in there discretion...not sure any of our guys would like that big hole in the quarter panel.....a well side exit with a silencer box MAY pass the test with an advisory..

[akku]

Theres some reg I saw somewhere that required the same number of silencers as stock as well. But I still passed with 2 side exits with a single muffler in each.

[BenzBoy]

paulb said:

it can also fail on another quote..

A part of the system missing or excessively detiorated.....

Surely whatever the exhaust, if it begins at the manifold and ends at the edge of the car (whether side, back or whatever) then it's a "complete system"?

I'd think the MOT tester would have to be a proper pendant to fail it on a non-original exhaust.

[akku]

you come across proper pedants. One localish test centre dobbed a guy into VOSA for having a V8 and mustang axle in his Zodiac and it not being on a Q plate.... Last I heard the car was STILL off the road with the guy trying to sort it out.

I know a fair few old/modified/rod friendly MOT Places. Not places to get stuff ignored or mail order MOT but places where they'll use a bit of sense and reason in interpreting the MOT regs.

Part of the toolkit you need when you own an old/modified car...