PCP Car - can I give it back?

Silver-Surfer_2

almillar wrote: »

Silver surfer - you're an MOT tester. Motorguy turns up with his diesel car. You inspect the DPF VISUALLY, which is all you're allowed to do.
Question - has he removed the DPF or not. Are you looking at an empty box? How can you tell?
You're not allowed to remove your DPF. It's monumentally stupid to do so. But how do you get caught. Also, please stop demanding evidence of other people, whilst at the same time telling them to do their own research.

I didn't mention anything about mot tests, I said removing it may be a construction and use offence.

almillar

OK so where's the enforcement you're talking about?

There's is and I thought you'd know how.

So long as the don't get stopped they are.

A road safety body with enforcement powers. It's a well known fact do your research.

Do you know of a single case of the DVSA stopping someone and enforcing their power? I think motorguy's point is that it doesn't happen, even though you're rightly pointing out that it's an offence. And I'll add again that it's a terrible thing to do. People do it to save money, and because they can get away with it.

Silver-Surfer_2

almillar wrote: »

OK so where's the enforcement you're talking about?




Do you know of a single case of the DVSA stopping someone and enforcing their power? I think motorguy's point is that it doesn't happen, even though you're rightly pointing out that it's an offence. And I'll add again that it's a terrible thing to do. People do it to save money, and because they can get away with it.

Yes........

motorguy

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

Yes........

For dpfs??

Nope.

mcjordi

neilmcl wrote: »

You do get that it's not actually his car yet. I'd very much doubt the finance co. will take it very well if they ever discover this was done.

it'll go to auction doubt they'd care tbh

BeenThroughItAll

Whilst the argument over enforcement is all very interesting, it doesn't change the fact that the removal of a DPF, if fitted to the car as homologated in accordance with our C+U regulations, IS illegal if to do so means the car no longer meets the required C+U standards and legislation.

Whether or not you're likely to get caught is irrelevant. It's still illegal, like running on red diesel, or speeding. Yeah, you might be lucky and get away with it, and loads of people do it and don't get caught - but that doesn't change the fact it's illegal.

mrmot

almillar wrote: »

Silver surfer - you're an MOT tester. Motorguy turns up with his diesel car. You inspect the DPF VISUALLY, which is all you're allowed to do.
Question - has he removed the DPF or not. Are you looking at an empty box? How can you tell?
You're not allowed to remove your DPF. It's monumentally stupid to do so. But how do you get caught. Also, please stop demanding evidence of other people, whilst at the same time telling them to do their own research.

Firstly the soot present in the tail pipe would make me suspicious, followed by the higher than normal smoke test reading for that type of car, after a bit of tapping on the casing with the plastic end of the corrosion assessment tool and hearing that hollow sound would make me strongly suspect that the emissions system had been tampered with.

As I can't see that it's missing then it won't be a fail, which is just a technicality at the moment. No doubt they'll devise a test for it which will give a just cause for failing it, it's only a matter of time.

motorguy

mrmot wrote: »

Firstly the soot present in the tail pipe would make me suspicious, followed by the higher than normal smoke test reading for that type of car, after a bit of tapping on the casing with the plastic end of the corrosion assessment tool and hearing that hollow sound would make me strongly suspect that the emissions system had been tampered with.

As I can't see that it's missing then it won't be a fail, which is just a technicality at the moment. No doubt they'll devise a test for it which will give a just cause for failing it, it's only a matter of time.

Sadly, you can be suspicious all you like - there is no room for your subjective opinion on whether or not there "might" be something in the box - you're only allowed to do a visual check.

Realistically, given they have made no announcement about upcoming changes, and they normally give 2 years notice, then maybe a years "warning" or advisory status, then we're good for the lifetime of a car with a person.

So i've at least three years to get sorted.

Oh, hang on. I dont have a gutted DPF :-

• Nissan 370Z 3.7 litre petrol.
• Mercedes C350 3.5 litre petrol.
• MG ZT 2.5 litre petrol.

motorguy

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

Whilst the argument over enforcement is all very interesting, it doesn't change the fact that the removal of a DPF, if fitted to the car as homologated in accordance with our C+U regulations, IS illegal if to do so means the car no longer meets the required C+U standards and legislation.

Whether or not you're likely to get caught is irrelevant. It's still illegal, like running on red diesel, or speeding. Yeah, you might be lucky and get away with it, and loads of people do it and don't get caught - but that doesn't change the fact it's illegal.

Absolutely. Totally illegal.

However i can totally sympathise with those who have been let down by car manufacturers, car dealers and the government and sold something that isnt fit for purpose. If i was facing a £1,000 bill every year for a new DPF because the car i've been sold cant hack being driven on short journeys i'd have no qualms about gutting the DPF.

bigjl

mcjordi wrote: »

its not actually illegal.. it would fail the MOT if the dpf is not present however if only the internals are removed and the shell is still present it will pass mot..

Passing an MOT because the Tester didn't check properly doesn't mean it's legal.

Removing a DPF means that car no longer meets Construction & Use regulations

Also as the car is on a PCP the owner of the car, the finance company, will likely sue if they discover it.

And you have to declare such a modification when selling the car.

And declare it to your Insurer.

Basically you will have to tell your Insurer that your car is no longer compliant to C&U