Garage say MOT is a FAKE!! UPDATE!!!!

giraffe69

So check the MOT is valid as suggested in a link above and then at least you will have moved forward.
If a CAT is needed then you don't need to accept the first quote given to you and at £576 I wouldn't.

facade

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

So, a car can pass an MOT without a cat converter?

Not if it should be subject to a full cat emissions test, and one was fitted as standard.

Corsas can have different catalysts fitted, the one I had the catalyst was part of the exhaust manifold, and could not be removed easily, others have the catalyst as a bulge on the front exhaust pipe beneath the footwell.

However, if he is handy with the spanners you can replace the whole system, catalyst and all for well under £200

http://www.onlineautomotive.co.uk/Vauxhall_Corsa_Exhaust%20System.aspx


On a 2006 car I would expect the engine management light to be on if there is no working catalyst though, if it has been removed, then there may be an oxgen sensor eliminator in place of the post-cat sensor.

I'd take the car to an independent vauxhall specialist (there are loads) to get an opinion as to what needs doing to bring it back to standard.

Strider590

I'd take the car to a garage, tell them I dont want a quote, give em tenner and ask for an honest opinion on the exhaust.

Without doubt most tyre exhaust places will try to squeeze as much money from you as possible.

You can tell if there is a cat or not, its either in front of the engine (under a heat shied)where the exhaust exits OR its under the engine as the exhaust passes underneath.
If you have only straight pipes from the front to the middle, then its missing.

Worth contacting previous owner too, they either have the original exhaust lying around OR they had a mate doing their MOTs.

worried_jim

ATS? :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

glentoran99

SnowWhiterThanWhite wrote: »

My DS is a new driver, Corsa SXi 2006
Bought the car with new MOT in June
Someone backed into son whilst he was stationary in a car park and left a dent, the other driver has accepted full responsibility.
The problem is, he has taken his car to be assessed at the garage his insurance has directed him to who have told him that he must sort out his exhaust before he gets any work done otherwise they will report him to the insurance co for modding is car!

The exhaust, which we thought was standard with a push on trim, apparently isn't.
So, he was advised to take the car to ATS, who have said that the exhaust is completely illegal, there is no Catalytic converter and therefore the MOT must be fake! They are quoting him £570 to replace?
Should I go back to the garage that did the MOT and query this? Should I contact a MOT inspector?
Can't believe that this little 'bump' is going to end up costing £££ for something that wasn't even DS fault!
Can anyone advise?

this screams dodgy to me, they either have to report to the insurance company or they dont, they cant blackmail you and say if you dont pay we are telling

facade

Maybe they have to write a report on the general condition of the car for the insurer, who asks if it has been modified to increase performance?

If it is modified when they write the report they will tick one box, if it isn't they won't.

They are not offering to do the work, so I think it is more of a heads up than blackmail.

Car_54

Surely your grievance is with whoever sold you the car?

Any complaint against the MOT station won't help your situation.

Nodding_Donkey

A Corsa with a dodgy exhaust? Well I never.

forgotmyname

glentoran99 wrote: »

this screams dodgy to me, they either have to report to the insurance company or they dont, they cant blackmail you and say if you dont pay we are telling

As already mentioned they are not blackmailing him and forcing him to get work done at their garage.

They are helping him by not informing his insurance that the cars modifed which he failed to declare and the insurance may then cancel his policy.

Either get the work done or cancel the claim and sell or scrap the car.

mrmot

The cat is in the exhaust manifold on these, so short of removing bits and having a look (unless the manifold has been replaced by an obviously non cat one), it's just an unsubstantiated opinion.

If the MOT is on the database, then it can't be a fake, not carried out correctly - a possibility, fake - never.