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Crossflow MOT


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Calling all Crossflow owners

I took my 1996 1600 Crossflow GT Sprint for its MOT today (if Nick Chan reads this I hope he is sitting down) and after the emissions test got into a discussion with the MOT Inspector about the age of the engine.  I was prepared for some questions as in previous years the definition of a kit car cropped up but wasn't expecting this.  I purchased it as a CKD kit with all new parts although obviously the engine wasn't built in 1996. 

I thought I'd need to refer to the visual smoke test but instead the car was subject to the full sensor up the exhaust check which, as one would expect, it failed.  It was then that the age of the engine cropped up and I was advised that if possible, for subsequent tests, it would be useful to have something that indicates the age of the engine.  Presumably this would expedite the use of the visual test.  

It did pass but I am curious if anyone else has experienced this and if so what they did.

I have no issues with this particular testing station, it was recommended to me by a qualified motor engineer and former MOT Inspector and I have used them for over 20 years.

Many thanks

Neil

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Hi Neil

I thought the computer at DVLA should already have your car, like my similar vehicle, down with a "visible smoke only" requirement.

I too have a 1996 car with Crossflow (AX block).

This ought to help.  https://www.lotus7.club/guides/frequently-asked-questions/what-applicable-mot-emissions-test-seven

In the past, I seem to remember the Caterham Cars website had a useful guide too.

However my experience is that testers don't pay attention to anything the owner tells them about the regulations. A member of the public can not possibly know better, however much research they have done.

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I also have a 1996 car, albeit now with a Zetec engine on carbs. 

I just copy the Gov 'In Service Exhaust Emission Standards'  (19th edition 2017) front piece, page two that states kit cars used before 1998 are to be tested as a 1975 car, and table one highlighted to show that no tests of any kind are required, and hand it to the tester.

I have never had a problem. The Zetec is obviously newer than '96, but this has never been an issue. There is no way it would pass a modern test what with twin 45 Webers and a straight through exhaust!  

Col

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You can down load a chart from Burton; https://www.burtonpower.com/tuning-guides/tuning-guide-pages/ford-manufacture-dates.html

This gives the date of manufacture from the engine number, acceptable at the SVA as proof of age, anything pre '75 should be just the smoke test.  If the block has been skimmed the original number may have disappeared so time to get creative with a set of punches.

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However my experience is that testers don't pay attention to anything the owner tells them about the regulations. A member of the public can not possibly know better, however much research they have done.

That is precisely my experience, too. 

For the last three MOTs on my R400D (at an otherwise excellent garage that understands 7s), I've armed myself with the relevant Caterham pages from the 19th Edition (pp23-24).  So, when I achieved a fail with an upper lambda > 1.03, I was expecting him to take account of the 1.09 value listed as applicable to my particular car.  No such luck.  We had convoluted discussions about air leaks in the exhaust collector, lambda sensor problems etc etc.  At no time did he select the appropriate engine type from the gas-analyzer list, or even wish to consult the DVSA guidance.  In the end, we ran the test several more times, eventually achieving a pass at 1.028.  Now, a pass is a pass, but I'm still expecting the same battle next year.

JV

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The aforementioned 19th Edition states in the Caterham Section preamble (Page 23) that if  the 6th digit of the chassis number is  K or C and the 10th digit (year code) is W (i.e. year1999) or before the vehicle concerned should be considered as "amateur built" and should receive a visual smoke test only. 

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Re #7:

Yes, that's my understanding too (except that year-code "W" is 1998, not 1999).

Note that the DVSA 19th Edition works on chassis year, whereas the MOT Manual works on registration letter. So there's an ambiguity in the rules for registrations between 1 August and 31 December 1998.   I imagine you could successfully argue for a visual smoke-test only for these.

JV

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Re #1:

I purchased it as a CKD kit with all new parts although obviously the engine wasn't built in 1996. 

Does that mean the engine wasn't supplied with the kit, and is in fact pre-1996?  If so, I can see why the MOT guy would be interested in its age, as the MOT Manual (8.2.1.2. Gaseous emissions) states:

"Vehicles fitted with a different engine

If a vehicle first used before 1 September 2002 is fitted with an engine that’s older than the vehicle, you must test it to the standards applicable for the engine. The vehicle presenter must have proof of the age of the engine.

However, if the kit included the engine (that is, all new parts in 1996), I'd say the MOT guy should not have subjected the car to a full emissions test.

Assuming your VIN is SDKRDKxxxTxxxxxxx or SDKRDCxxxTxxxxxxx, the DVSA 19th Edition clearly states that a visual-smoke test is all that's required.

The MOT Manual  states:

"For emissions purposes only you should treat the following as first used before 1 August 1975:

  • kit cars and amateur-built vehicles first used before 1 August 1998"

In other words, visual-smoke test only.

JV

 

 

 

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Re #2. Thank you. I should have looked for something like that first.

Re #5. Thanks, I'll look into that.

Re #7. Thank you too.

Re #9. The engine was supplied new by Caterham with the CKD kit.  Its my understanding that they obtained a batch of Crossflows at some point before they were discontinued and mine is one of those.  When it was registered it had a then current registration ( P prefix) which I have since changed.

I'll look up the VIN and engine numbers

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The engine was supplied new by Caterham with the CKD kit.

That's very good news. The key is that all parts were supplied new.  Because the engine is the original one, its actual build date is irrelevant.

Therefore, subject to the values of the 6th and 10th characters of your VIN, it looks very likely that your car is visual-smoke test only.

JV

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Re #12:

That's a very interesting question.  I think 7WotW is correct. 

(Slightly O/T)  What's not clear to me is what registration number you'd get.  The Built-Up Vehicle Inspection Report (V627/1) asks for "Year of Manufacture".  Is this the date the kit was purchased (1994), or the date the kit was assembled (2007)?  I assume it's the latter.  And if the IVA certificate was also dated 2007, presumably you'd get a 2007 reg?

If so, you'd have a car with a 2007 reg and a VIN showing a 1994 chassis year.  Seems slightly odd.

JV

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Neil - I hadn't realised that the planets were in alignment for this special event - and with a bit of moisture in the air.  For anyone interested, if you want to see a car that is as new despite the 20+ years, this is the one!

With regards the MOT, my place have checked the regulations and are happy for a visible smoke test for all Caterhams - although there is a localish owner (with a perverse sense of irony) who actually requests the emissions check so he can revel in how low his results are and well mapped his car is!!

JV - we have another local owner with exactly what you suggest although his Xflow kit is from 1988 but was IVA'd and registered at the very end of 2008 and carries an 08 reg

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