MoT tests for diesel cars and lorries are to be tightened up to ensure vehicles have a critical exhaust filter if one had originally been fitted as standard, Roads Minister Robert Goodwill has announced.
Garages and testing stations will be required to check for a diesel particulate filter (DPF) in the inspection of the exhaust system as part of the MoT test from February 2014.
The vehicle will automatically fail the MoT test if the filter had been fitted as standard but is found to be no longer present.
The decision will combat firms that offer to remove the filter, claiming it will boost consumption.
It is an offence to drive a vehicle that has been modified this way, as it will no longer meet the emissions standards the car achieved when it was approved for sale in the UK.
Roads Minister Robert Goodwill said: "I am very concerned that vehicles are being modified in a way that is clearly detrimental to people's health and undoes the hard work car manufacturers have taken to improve emissions standards.
"It has become apparent the government had to intervene to clarify the position on particulate filter removal given the unacceptable negative impact on air quality."
An award-winning journalist and editor, with two decades of experience covering the motor retail industry, and accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) plus the National Council for the Training of Journalist (NCTJ)
As editor of AM since 2016, Tim is responsible for its media content, planning and production across AM's multiple channels, including the website, digital reports, webinars, social media and the editorial content of AM's events, Automotive Management Live and the AM Awards. His focus is on interviewing senior leaders of franchised dealer groups and motor manufacturer national sales companies to examine latest developments in UK motor retail.
Don - 08/12/2013 21:49
£1500 +vat + 8 hours labour charge @ £100 per hour to have a blocked filter replaced it a pi55 take! BMW give the filter a life of 120k miles – is this acceptable? Dfp filters are removed due to the costs involved, not performance – I wonder which idiot has been doing the research for the government!