(29-03-25, 07:08 PM)Grahamm Wrote: (29-03-25, 12:49 PM)Gaz66 Wrote: No UK laws on exhaust noise db level for MOT so there's defo nowt any plod can do, regardless what they might claim.
MOT Test Part 8:
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8.1.1. Exhaust noise
If possible, you should assess the exhaust noise by revving the engine to approximately half the maximum engine speed. The engine should be warm before you carry out this check.
It is not possible to rev the engine on twist and go type motorcycles.
The exhaust system and silencer should be in such condition, or of such a type, that the noise emitted from the motorcycle is
not clearly unreasonably above the level expected from a similar motorcycle with a standard silencer in average condition.
Defect
Category(a) Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted - Major
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And here's what the Law says:
Statutory Controls on Noise Limits and Silencer/ Exhaust Systems
Yes Grahamm you're correct in one sense to quote section 8.1.1 Exhaust noise:
But also incorrect too.
As we're talking about adding aftermarket cans, potentially louder than standard, ok they're all louder than standard to be fair.
I 100% stand by what I said previously above " No UK law exists for an exhaust system Decibel level" , no decibel test on an Mot, hence it's not illegal to add a louder than standard pipe or can.
Reasons stated below:
Only time a plod might have an issue is if they hear a bike /car that's crazy loud, upon further inspection it's found to have a defective/rotten/insecure exhaust system or somethings come loose, then it would get failed on an Mot anyway.
But that's not the subject in question, it's aftermarket pipes, which unless a hamfisted monkey has been involved, you can pretty much guarantee it'll be fitted satisfactorily.
Loud aftermarket pipes are nothing to do with the plod, they may pull you over for a look see, but there's nothing they can legally do if the bike or car has a valid Mot.
Most testers, me included will manually add an advisory that vehicle tested is fitted with an aftermarket exhaust system, but since no UK Mot stations are equipped with a DVSA approved piece of equipment to test decibel levels, there can't legally be an issue with aftermarket exhausts, regardless how loud they are, as long as it's secure & not rotten & falling off, it would get passed, no tester can be expected to know what every factory exhaust note should sound like, we have a good idea, but we don't know for sure, hence we're back to opinion again not fact.
Mot is about "FACTS" not "OPINION".
Referring to section 8.1.1 is 100% "OPINION".
I've had this out with DVSA staff on numerous occasions over the yrs, they can't or won't clarify it, because they know they've fukt up adding it into the manual, it's 100% bollox & should not exist in the Mot manual, DVSA staff are all spineless & put the burden of decision on the Mot tester.
Some yrs ago they once added a crazy fail into the manual for number plates that had no postcode on the bottom ffs, how thick are these clowns?
It got removed after a few months & thousands of complaints, never heard of any tester actually failing a plate for this obviously bullshit reason.
I could point out literally dozens of Mot manual fuck ups that have cropped up over the yrs, some are still present, all testers know they're there, we just use common sense & ignore em.
For example, if a customer presented a vehicle for Mot, albeit a Motorcycle or a Car, Mot tester failed it under section 8.1.1 as you quoted above, just because it had an aftermarket pipe or can fitted that was louder than a so called standard pipe, customer complained that their vehicle was unfairly tested, I guarantee you the customer would win his/her case every time because DVSA are 100% spineless & refuse to admit to errors they've created.
Seen it happen numerous times.
Until DVSA comes out with an approved Decibel tester that all Mot stations must use, 8.1.1 is a bollox rule & trust me there are still a good few lurking within the UK Mot manuals, as long as an exhaust system is secure & not rotten & likely to become detached/ fall off within the next couple of months, who gives a shit if it's an aftermarket pipe or modified in some way to be louder, it gets a pass from me every time, as it would from any sensible tester with half a brain, only a newbie Mot tester might ever fail a car or bike for a loud exhaust note, that's just inexperience, no tester can be expected to know what every make/model of car/bike factory fitted exhaust should sound like, yes we have a good idea, but we don't know for sure, no-one can know to what spec a vehicle left the factory.
As an Mot tester of both bikes/cars for over 30yrs, I've never once failed any bike or car for this bullshit of a reason, it's just not worth the hassle of getting into an argument with a vehicles owner, trust me, some owners come to an Mot ready for a fight.
It's one of many bullshit "Reasons for rejection" written into the Mot manual by the uneducated morons that wrote it.
Another bollox Eg)
Last time I checked, there was 19 reasons for rejection for number plates, I defy anyone to sit down with a pen & paper & come up with 19 things that could be considered illegal on a UK number plate.
? I'm down off my soapbox now, rant over?
