I have the opportunity to take an assignment to England and I would love to take my bird. How hard are the emissions to pass? My car has a bunch of mods done, and I haven't had it emissions tested in 4 years or so... I am in the military, so shipping it isn't an issue.

I should mention the car has exhaust, aftermarket ECU, and many other things... is it just a sniffer test or what? I assume I would need to fix my E-brake as well...

 

It's a pretty comprehensive test and covers a lot more than just emissions... Here's the official leaflet link... Also google MOT Test UK for more info.

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...CONT071791.pdf



Jeff

 

Is there a way I can get special plates to where I can just race/drive it to shows and such? I had a friend tell me he had a buddy who had a project car like that, and he just couldn't drive it on base and such...

 

If you can avoid even being tested. If someone is just visiting the country say from France etc. they don't need to get the car tested. I'd look at that aspect first. May depend on how long you'll be there and if you get caught. I know people living here in CA who's cars are reg in other states so they avoid the testing. Unless they get caught being in state for more than a certain length of time. Of course you may have base rules to contend with too. Keep us in the loop.

 

I'll be in Alconbury for 2 years...

 

Is there a sound DB restriction as well? Do they pay attention to mods like headers and such? Also I have an aftermarket ECU, will that be a problem?

 

The military has regulations on everything. I don't know what branch you are in, but for the army everything to with POV's in USAEUR Germany, is dealt with in AE 190-1. I'm sure there is the same thing for American forces in England.

 

I'm in the Air Force. I know in Japan there is a 25 year old rule, so I could have had my firebird shipped out here when it turned 25 and it would be considered a classic and exempt from JCI and stuff...

 

How was it getting your Iroc to Germany? I think in England I would have to change all my lights and stuff...

 

Lights are an easy adjustment so tht is the least of your wories.

My IROC has heads, cam , intake,headers/full exhause, custom chip, EGR removed and I pass the emission test. I would look into how long the car can be in the UK before being registered as then it will not be required to be tested. I know someone a while back who brought in a Bronco and ran in on US plates for years before registering it and nver had any issues with the police, but I don't know what the actual rules are. My car is seriously loud and there are no noise tests to contend with and never any bother with the fuzz because of it either.

 

Are you located in England? If so, that is good to hear! I don't think I can get away with just running US plates, the military wouldn't be too happy if I tried it and got caught.

What do they check in the emissions test? I know last time I tried, my car failed California smog pretty bad, and that was 4 years ago... do you know any shady MOT testers who can "pass" me?

 

It wasn't bad, I got out of the army in 08 and shipped it here on my own dime, but because my job had "logistical support" and I still fall under the SOFA agreement, I can register my vehicles on post. I would imagine it to be similar in the UK, but I don't know anyone that was ever stationed there. Is there a garrison website for where you are going? They usually have a FAQ section for those kinds of questions.

 

I'll have to look... I'll be doing a postal assignment and assigned to RAF Alconbury. I'll be working at the Air Port in Civvies and living off base

 

http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_730.htm

 

I am mainly just worried about the sniffer test. I'll be sure to put a brand new Cat on the car, and try to run it at 200*... It normally runs at 160*.

It wasn't clear, but is it a problem if the car stock had a single cat system (1988 car), but I put a newer dual cat system on it?

I don't have to run stock brakes do I? I should be fine with Wilwood brakes/Ls1 rear brakes right?

 

Also, how much is registration going to cost me? I hear it goes off of engine size

 

http://www.militaryonesource.mil/mcf...180.0.0.0.0,34

 

Awesome. Thank you for that link! Do you have a link for registration fee's? I can't find anything really... Just the forms to get it done.

 

It's in like the first section of that link.

All vehicles are required to have a Minis try of Trans portation (MOT) s afety ins pection each year. The ins pection cos t is about

$50 at the Ins pection Station located on RAF Alconbury. To pas s the MOT ins pection it will mos t likely be neces s ary to have

s ome modifications to your American vehicle to meet the UK requirements . Adjus tment to your driving lights and pos s ible

modification of your tail lights is not uncommon. This can us ually be accomplis hed at the bas e auto hobby s hop. There is a

fee.

Road tax is due annually. This is one of the items that is included in your COLA. Current rates are:

£220 ($360.00) for vehicles over 1549cc engine

£135 ($221.00) for vehicles under 1549cc engine

This is the part that would scare me though.

To pas s the MOT ins pection it will mos t likely be neces s ary to have

s ome modifications to your American vehicle to meet the UK requirements


In Germany we only need to meet the safety regulations, but lights and add-ons are not as strict as it is for the Germans.

 

I saw that... So does than mean that MOT is the same as Registration in the states? I think that might be where I am getting confused.

So annually I have to do a MOT inspection, and pay road tax. That is it then?

 

Ministry of Transportation (MOT), Sounds British to me.

 

You will have to pay for the MOT, which is the same as a safety/emissions inspection in the States. Think of the Road Tax, which is 220-gbp per year, as your "tags" for the car since you have to display a sticker on your window.

Talk to John at Anglia Tyre in Colchester, he'll hook you up for the MOT.

 

Yes, I am in the UK.

 

You just have to find a Yank friendly MOT tester, as Ozz said John at Anglia Tyre centre MOT's a lot of the local US service guys. He's a 3rd gen owner himself so will look after you.

 

if yore birds an 88 dose not need a cat !