My car has failed on emissions, I've been told by different people exhaust (had that checked - ok), the censor (one said he had looked at that) and if not I'm now advised to get the electrics looked at - engine management, if not could be the cat.
When it failed the reading was quite high, I had an oil and air filter change (haven't done anything else) and (but according to a different garage) the level has only just failed.
Is there anything I can do to get the levels down? Would giving everything a clean under the bonnet help?
I was also told that I should run it before taking the test again - would a trip up the motorway or dual carriageway be enough to bring it up to a pass if I did that just before taking it for the re-test (if it really is that marginal).
When it failed the reading was quite high, I had an oil and air filter change (haven't done anything else) and (but according to a different garage) the level has only just failed.
Is there anything I can do to get the levels down? Would giving everything a clean under the bonnet help?
I was also told that I should run it before taking the test again - would a trip up the motorway or dual carriageway be enough to bring it up to a pass if I did that just before taking it for the re-test (if it really is that marginal).
Torgwen.......... 
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And watch out for speed limit compliance
Can't remember the name of the additives but somewhere like a motoring accessory shop/garage/Halfords would have it.
Mine failed last month and is only 3 years old. I payed £40 to get the sensors cleaned and used some cataclean ( i think it was called that) and took it for a good run on the nearest motorway. This solved it.
try looking when your car is stationary, stand outside car, put foot on pedal.
I paid another £50 odd pounds to have the something done that probably would of cost me a £5 to do my self but it passed 2nd time
The next year took it to the council testing centre cause I thought the main dealer from last year was trying it on. Council said it had failed, so asked me to take it for a long run and bring it back where they would test it again. Brought it back, it failed, I went all "Oh, no really, it's such a young car, this can't be happening". They also rigged up the apparatus in the end, and passed me.
The year after that, took it in for a small service first and it passed OK. So much for the new cat!!
Didn't do anything to it this year, just to see what would happen this time, it passed completely.
What do I think of all this? Some'll try to scam you, others will try to scam the system to help you.
Everyone I have known who's failed emissions, has subsequently passed when driven round the block or retested (on the same or sometimes another test rig).
You might want to have a word with friends/colleagues in the area, to see if they have anyone they can recommend for next time.
Wish mine had done that for me, although now i know never to take the car to the garage first thing in the morning now, i live right by a motorway so will run it on that first, oh and not to go back the the same garage who did it last week