Hi All,

I cannot see any reference to this on this forum, but I re-registered to Turbosport, having forgotten all login info, in order post this. If there is a better place for it, then Mods please move it.

Just a couple of days ago I discovered that the Department for Transport have published a document outlining proposed changes to emission standards for new vehicles. Before you stop reading because it wont affect you, it might do just that. As of today, Tuesday 27th Feb, there are just THREE DAYS left to respond. which now should be done online using this link. Please also write/email to your MP

For the hobbyist and likely some members of Turbosport, there are two areas of concern the first is anyone building a "Kit Car" in the widest possible definition and the other is anyone building a "reconstructed classic" . Both categories are affected by revised emission rules when tested.

For kit cars and reconstructed classics, the relevant part is as follows.

4.10 Kit cars and reconstructed classic cars undergoing IVA will not be required to meet WLTP, given that at present they are not required to meet NEDC or the latest EU standards. Instead they are tested to age-appropriate MOT standards, on the basis of the date of manufacture or first use of the engine.

4.11 We are proposing that for kit cars, compliance with the MOT emissions standards current at the date of registration will be required, despite the use of an older engine. In other words the current relaxation for emissions according to the age of the engine will no longer apply.

4.12 Reconstructed (restored) classic cars undergoing IVA will not be required to meet the latest MOT standards, as long as the appearance of the vehicle is broadly unchanged and the engine is of the same capacity as that supplied with the vehicle when it was new.

4.13 When new vehicles were first required to be fitted with catalytic converters around 1992 (Euro 1 emissions standard), kit car makers typically used older engines which were not fitted with catalytic converters, hence the justification for age-appropriate testing of emissions based on date of engine manufacture or first use. The majority of the fleet is now vehicles up to 25 years old whose engines are fitted with catalytic converters, providing plenty of choice to the kit car builder.

I probably don't need to tell you that 4.12 would mean that if you found a shell of an 1100 Escort and wanted to re-register it, then the only way it could be tested using non-cat emission standards would be to fit the 1100 engine, quite possibly with the caveat that any subsequent engine change will have to be to cat standards.

For the kit car fraternity, you are completely b*ggered unless you a: use a modern Cat engine and b: fool the ECU to believe it is still fitted in the donor car.

When filling in the form on line, leave most of the questions unanswered, do not tick a yes or no, unless you are certain of your answer and can support it in the comment box as you cant go back to make it a "don't know".

The most relevant question is No 15 on the form, relating to kit cars and the final "comments" box which seems to be the only place to talk about reconstructed classics.

Sorry for the short notice but the document was only published on Feb 2nd and I only read about it a couple of days ago.

If it helps anyone I have attached my responses. Even if tempted, please do not copy and paste , but put into your own words. I will doubtless have overlooked something important in both responses.

Rather than comment on here, get that form filled in even if you are happy with your current ride and it doesn't directly affect you. Please do this as we need to look out for each other in this hobby

Malcolm

Q15.pdfFinal comments.pdf