Got pulled and my emissions checked...

[S3 Paul]

How do.
Another moment of bad luck for me...
On my way home from work i was waved in by a police man and then i was given an emisions check... Which i promptly failed as i havent got a cat...
So in short, i now need to fit a high flow cat, Im using a 3 inch down pipe and decat onto a miltek system.
Ive looked around on gaybay and found a few universal ones ( imhappy to fit one into my cat bypass section)
The thing is... they all list diffrent CPI figures for the cat... what should i go for to avoid too much restriction but to pass an MOT type test??

 

[Matty-YellowS3]

Coppers are *s*holes ive just had a similar experience of bad luck lol i swear they just get bored!

 

[A3Tom]

Coppers are *s*holes ive just had a similar experience of bad luck lol i swear they just get bored!

Bore off!!.

The lad took his cat out, got stopped and checked by VOSA and got caught!. Its one of those I'm afraid, if you dont want to get caught....dont give them an offence to catch you for!.

What was your 'bad luck?'

 

[Davsurfa]

Lmao!!! As soon as I saw that comment I thought you'd reply Tom!!

Can I just ask, and this may be a dumb question, why remove the cat? What gains are there? And what happened to your original one?

 

[Matty-YellowS3]

yeah fair point i suppose you run the risk dont you! Umm its over on the other thread matey dont want to hijack:icon_thumright:

 

[A3Tom]

Lmao!!! As soon as I saw that comment I thought you'd reply Tom!!

Can I just ask, and this may be a dumb question, why remove the cat? What gains are there? And what happened to your original one?

Taking the CAT out of the exhaust is like taking a blockage out, it helps it flow a lot better and can give you a bit of a power gain.

Lots of people do it but its a big no no if the car has a cat as standard (H Reg onwards should have one if I remember correctly) . Chances of getting caught 'roadside' are very slim indeed, however come MOT time the car will dip the emissions test

T

 

[Broken Byzan]

A high flow cat will enable a pass, withouth the hassles, and TBH can be had for not much more than a Decat. I paid about £60 for my 200cell powerflow one. I cut the stainless exhaust and sleeved it into the rear end myself and clamped it up so it could be replaced if it failed. So far it has managed 3 MOTs fine.

 

[NHN]

Ah so he runs a car illegally, then gets pulled & asked to conform & the coppers are what again, wake up & smell it, cause if someone is playing with fire they will get burnt every single time.

Tom, couldnt agree with you more mate.

Remove the cat adds less restriction as in back pressure, so its able to run better & depending on car setup, more powerful, but we're not talking supercar status, lol

 

[Olly P]

Still, I would have thought that the police would be better off concentrating there efforts on pulling over drivers for more serious offences rather than very minor ones like failing a emissions tests!

I think insedents like this just give people even more of a reason to not like the police!

 

[A3Tom]

Still, I would have thought that the police would be better off concentrating there efforts on pulling over drivers for more serious offences rather than very minor ones like failing a emissions tests!

I think insedents like this just give people even more of a reason to not like the police!

Unless of course they're Road Policing Officers who are acting within their remit

Sounds like there was an op going on with VOSA, they get done from time to time....mainly its Taxi's that end up getting pulled apart but any car can get waved in.

You take the cat out knowing the car should have one...you're just rolling the dice as to whether or not you get caught. Unlucky to get caught I'll be honest,...but its not unheard of

People dont like getting caught though, thats natural. I cant remember the last time someone thanked me for locking them up

You cant choose which laws do and dont apply to you, and when they do and dont apply to you.

 

[NHN]

People dont like getting caught though, thats natural. I cant remember the last time someone thanked me for locking them up

You cant choose which laws do and dont apply to you, and when they do and dont apply to you.

lmfao, lol, thats funny & unfortunately Tom, some people do think they're above the law.

But I do wonder why a copper sits on an empty dual carraigeway at 11pm-midnight with his laser, right by the airport where it literally within seconds goes 50-70-50 with 3 lanes aswell, that to me is unfair especially when its not exactly teaming with cars & the speed change is ridiculous, this does make you wonder why they cant be put to more use somewhere else IMHO, but hey if you're speeding then guess you cant complain about getting caught, lol

 

[A3Tom]

lmfao, lol, thats funny & unfortunately Tom, some people do think they're above the law.

But I do wonder why a copper sits on an empty dual carraigeway at 11pm-midnight with his laser, right by the airport where it literally within seconds goes 50-70-50 with 3 lanes aswell, that to me is unfair especially when its not exactly teaming with cars & the speed change is ridiculous, this does make you wonder why they cant be put to more use somewhere else IMHO, but hey if you're speeding then guess you cant complain about getting caught, lol

Id rather have him than a GATSO

When we do it, we give a HUGE margain over the limit...a camera wouldnt do that.

Personally I'd rather be out catching people that need catching that shivering my tads off on the side of the road!.

 

[Matt82]

who has tested whether a de-cat or a high flow cat actually gains any power?

from my experience, the answer is no

 

[<tuffty/>]

You take the cat out knowing the car should have one...you're just rolling the dice as to whether or not you get caught. Unlucky to get caught I'll be honest,...but its not unheard of

People dont like getting caught though, thats natural. I cant remember the last time someone thanked me for locking them up

You cant choose which laws do and dont apply to you, and when they do and dont apply to you.

Well said that man... You make the decision to modify your car in a way that could potentially land you in a bit of bother then you have to accept that you stand a chance of facing up to it some day.

The law is the law and as rebellious a person as I am you still have to respect it. You may think you aren't harming anyone by removing a CAT and that the 'force' should be concentrating on more serious crime but an offence is an offence so if you get stopped, accept it and move on.

<tuffty/>

 

[NHN]

Personally I'd rather be out catching people that need catching that shivering my tads off on the side of the road!.

You're kidding me right, have you seen how luxurious these cop cars are these days, think was a new discovery back then, bar steward even had the cheek to say, ah just pulled an S3 before yours, coincidence huh, yeah course it is you *****, lol

 

[A3Tom]

You're kidding me right, have you seen how luxurious these cop cars are these days, think was a new discovery back then, bar steward even had the cheek to say, ah just pulled an S3 before yours, coincidence huh, yeah course it is you *****, lol

No such Gucci motors my way

S60 and a 330d Touring......or an Astra...or a van!.

 

[Olly P]

lol, I agree, not having a cat is obviously illegal so you cant really complain about any fine etc. In my oppinion there are much more serious traffic offences that people get away with, like no insurance etc, surely pulling people over for emission tests is a miss alocation of valuable police resorces! Also, I would be very angry if I was pulled over for no reason other than a 'spot check', even though my cars perfectly legal!

While i'm having a rant and rave, my car tax is due today, £215 for driving on roads that are falling appart and littered with unnessesary traffic lights and speed camera, ARRRRRRRRRG!

lol, sorry rant over!

 

[NHN]

Overall Tom tell me, it isnt a copper that does the actual emissions test do they, its VOSA that requires a copper to pull you, as do you think you will stop if an anorak with a reflective shirt flags you down from side of road, lmfao

 

[A3Tom]

lol, I agree, not having a cat is obviously illegal so you cant really complain about any fine etc. In my oppinion there are much more serious traffic offences that people get away with, like no insurance etc, surely pulling people over for emission tests is a miss alocation of valuable police resorces! Also, I would be very angry if I was pulled over for no reason other than a 'spot check', even though my cars perfectly legal!

fair enough, but normally thes operations are pre planned and loads of extra bodies drafted in to deal with it...leaving people to still go out and cath everyone else

Oh, and 'stop checks', perfectly legal to stop any car being driven on a road at any time...although to be fair most checks can be done without having to even speak to the driver or stopping the car

While i'm having a rant and rave, my car tax is due today, £215 for driving on roads that are falling appart and littered with unnessesary traffic lights and speed camera, ARRRRRRRRRG!

lol, sorry rant over!

Dont get me started on Road tax!

 

[NHN]

While i'm having a rant and rave, my car tax is due today, £215 for driving on roads that are falling appart and littered with unnessesary traffic lights and speed camera, ARRRRRRRRRG!

Then get a smart car with a bodykit for £35 tax & stop whingeing, lmao

 

[A3Tom]

Overall Tom tell me, it isnt a copper that does the actual emissions test do they, its VOSA that requires a copper to pull you, as do you think you will stop if an anorak with a reflective shirt flags you down from side of road, lmfao

When I've seen it...cars stopped by plod and VOSA do checks etc...there will however be bobbies that can do the checks though so its not always VOSA doing the checks...but most of the time it will be (after being waved in by dibble).

 

[HotboxDeluxe]

Overall Tom tell me, it isnt a copper that does the actual emissions test do they, its VOSA that requires a copper to pull you, as do you think you will stop if an anorak with a reflective shirt flags you down from side of road, lmfao

Haha hell no. I'd definately stop for a copper though, they don't like it if you just 'casually' pretend not to see them

OP got caught doing something slightly naughty. AIUI you are legally required to have a cat post 1992 (J reg I think) and whether or not it's worth risking a slap on the wrist is up to the individual.

I've had quite a few encounters with the law in my youthful times (i.e anything before my 30th) and at least half the time my experience has been positive (sometimes expensive). Still no need for the name-calling, unless you 'fall down the stairs' (in the back of the van)

 

[s4marsh]

this must be new "policy" road side emmission check is it?
they're always dipping cars for red diesel round my way but never heard of this...
is the car ridiculously loud?

 

[ianysm]

Supprised they chose an S3 to spot check for emissions. But then i'm also supprised you're running with no cat! I doubt there is much difference between decat and sports cat?

I thought about the decat route with my previous car but chose 100 cell sports cats instead knowing they were legal!!

Agree with the 'random policeman sat at the end of long wide straight with speed gun' comments...Why? Then claim its not revnue?

A3Tom...?

 

[MintyS3]

Buy a diesel. Cats arent required on them.

Talking of cats...

 

[ianysm]

Some of these big power diesels are incredible engines and fast too!

I especially like the 3.0 diesel quattro

 

[S3 Rav]

filth...never there when you do want them, always there when you dont. (sorry tom!) just my personal experiences.

 

[A3Tom]

Supprised they chose an S3 to spot check for emissions. But then i'm also supprised you're running with no cat! I doubt there is much difference between decat and sports cat?

I thought about the decat route with my previous car but chose 100 cell sports cats instead knowing they were legal!!

Agree with the 'random policeman sat at the end of long wide straight with speed gun' comments...Why? Then claim its not revnue?

A3Tom...?

Firstly, I dont agree with speed cameras....they dont have any sort of descretion so not good. One can get you in the middle of the night and you'll get a ticket...an officer would just advise you etc.

Back on topic...ish..

When we attend an injury RTC we have to fill out an RTC book, in there is a huge section that we fill in with the circumstances of the bump, conditions, speed etc etc...all for the Gov to look at. One of the areas that pops up all the time, apart from drivers under the age of 25 is excess speed.....hence why officers are instructed to do pro-active speed campaigns...such as pro-laser etc etc. We'd all rather be out in cars...but them in charge say do it...so we have to. The cash doesnt go to the Police either...straight to them in charge.

T

 

[RyanJonS4]

Just curious about what will happen now as regards running no cat? Is there a fine involved and does it carry any penalty points?

Ryan

 

[S3 Paul]

Right... to try and aim this back anywhere near topic
I asked what "cell" cat i should get.
I didnt say "its not fair "
The down pipe i bought had been trial fitted to a car then offered for me for silly money. So i bought it, With the plan to get a cat welded in at some point. However i fell ill and lost track of "jobs to do" so it stayed as it was.
Quite funny that most dont tell the insurance about mods but will stand and say its illegal to remove a cat.

 

[emery1990]

How much was the fine then and any points to go with it. Yer i have police follow me sometimes for like 5 minutes then to slowly back off and drive away as they realise i have full insurance and licence

Tom just curious, if you have 6 points on your licence, can ythe police tell if you havent told your insurance company ?

 

[S3KO4]

Unlucky mate, there were too many traffic cops on the street on tuesday and pulling over at random! was also advertised on radio for catching mainly non insured drivers.

 

[S3 Paul]

Im fully insured ( as modded too) so i must just have been unlucky.
Either way, the downpipe was made with the thinking. no cat will flow as well as no cat.
I always plan'd to fit a cat... just lost track of myself.
I have 14days to fit a cat and take it to our local main mot centre. Not any mot place.
I havent been stung with a fine... but face major problems if i dont.

 

[A3Tom]

Im fully insured ( as modded too) so i must just have been unlucky.
Either way, the downpipe was made with the thinking. no cat will flow as well as no cat.
I always plan'd to fit a cat... just lost track of myself.
I have 14days to fit a cat and take it to our local main mot centre. Not any mot place.
I havent been stung with a fine... but face major problems if i dont.

Ahh, VDRS was offered then....good to see. Gives people the chance to sort something out rather than slap a fine on them. Bit of common sense Policing if I'm being honest

 

[A3Tom]

How much was the fine then and any points to go with it. Yer i have police follow me sometimes for like 5 minutes then to slowly back off and drive away as they realise i have full insurance and licence

Tom just curious, if you have 6 points on your licence, can ythe police tell if you havent told your insurance company ?

If we had to phone them then we could check, but to be honest for a normal check if the car comes back on PNC with insurance held there's no need to phone the insurance company.

However, points should always be mentioned when buying a policy or points are given mid term etc.

T