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Emissions for MOT
Schrodinger - 10/4/25 at 02:22 PM

I have a Stylus with a 1994 Zetec engine, up until:this year I have had no problems with the the emissions. This year I have taken it to my local MOT station where they have new hardware and software which is directly linked to the DVLA/VOSA and they can't change anything relating to the emissions. The machine is saying it needs to pass as a year 2022 engine. How do I go about changing this on the records for future years?

SteveWalker - 10/4/25 at 02:31 PM

From the MOT manual:

"You must test kit cars or amateur built vehicles to the limits in the vehicle’s registration document (V5c). If the V5c does not show any limits, you must test it to the limits of the engine fitted at the time of the SVA or IVA test."

JAG - 10/4/25 at 02:56 PM

As Steve says - check your V5c

My car has a Q-plate and the V5c says something like "Blue Smoke Only" in the Emmissions Test box. Open your V5c and it should be on the top of the left hand page

nick205 - 10/4/25 at 03:15 PM

When you (or the builder) SVA'd the car did you not have to have a "proof of age for the engine"?

I had to have one for the Pinto in my MK Indy (got a letter from Ford).

However I don't recall if the V5 had any emissions limit shown on it (sold the car a long time ago).

Schrodinger - 10/4/25 at 03:40 PM

I have the proof of engine age (1994) and a copy of the IVA certificate, previously this has been fine until this year but now the test center has new kit which doesnot allow him to change the test level (2022) in the system.

jacko - 10/4/25 at 05:46 PM

Try another mot station you could ask before booking the car in

Schrodinger - 10/4/25 at 06:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jacko
Try another mot station you could ask before booking the car in


I'm doing that but I want to get it sorted properly for the future, as I understand it, as garages change their emissions kit they will have to be directly connected to the DVSA and won't be able to change the details on their system. This is why I want it changed now.

Prof_Cook - 10/4/25 at 07:02 PM

Hi, to get it properly sorted for the future you need to look at the V5c and then raise any issues for correction with DVLA to correct on their systems as the "emission requirements" will then correctly presented to the MOT stations computer when they enter the Reg No into their (the test station) system.

Schrodinger - 11/4/25 at 08:01 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Prof_Cook
Hi, to get it properly sorted for the future you need to look at the V5c and then raise any issues for correction with DVLA to correct on their systems as the "emission requirements" will then correctly presented to the MOT stations computer when they enter the Reg No into their (the test station) system.



That was my thought but there are no figures on the V5c (or on the IVA certificate) and when I took it for the first MOT , in 2000, the tester said there were no figures on the system. I will contact the DVSA and see where I get from there.

nick205 - 11/4/25 at 08:23 AM

Perhaps writing to the DVSA with an explanation of your issue and copies of your V5c, IVA certificate and engine proof of age.

Theoretically they should be able to correct it for you so in future the V5c has the correct emissions info on it and the MOT kit behaves accordingly.