The law on aftermarket exhausts
 

Hi, earlier on i was pulled by the police and he told me my exhaust was illegal, when i asked whats illegal about it he said to me "any exhaust thats not made by the vehicles manufacturer is illegal" the exhaust is a long life stainless steel exhaust and its not really loud it just gives a nice tone, its passed years of mot`s with it on and never a problem. I said to him i cant get a manufacturers exhaust from a manufacturer which doesnt exist anymore, (well it does but it aint the same MG) Anyway he said if he sees me again he will be fining me for the exhaust, Whats the law on after market exhaust as i believe hes just wanting to be an arse and hand fines out.

thats crap mate,ive had many exhausts on many cars,just make sure you declare it with ins etc

he's just being a arse... either you done something or he took a disliking to you. either way, if its declared your legal

The exhaust is declared with insurance, if he fines me for it when he next sees me I'll be going straight to court with the case, he accused me of allsorts, "how do you afford to run a car like this you dealing?" Ermm no officer I work an awfull lot of hours

Was going down the dual carriageway at 55/60 mph, I'm not a yobbo in a fast car lol I take pride in my car but I get looked at like a boy racer

my pal has never been pulled and now that he went and bought a focus RS he got pulled straight away trying to suss him out.

he's just putting the fear into you, but if your legit you have nothing to worry.

Seems abit OTT. my car had a long life cat back and sports cat it passed its mot and then a VOSA check after a write off with out any problems and this is only 4 months ago.
I know the police are starting to crack down on modified cars but I didn't think they were going that far. he didn't think it was de-catted did he?

Best bet is to contact VOSA and ask. Get them to email you with conformation if its legal to print off and carry round with you I would also make sure you have told your insurance company about any modifications as the police are starting to contact insurers to confirm they know about any modifications to the vehicle. If there not on there your insurance it technically void and they can do you for no insurance.

He's talking crap, Manufacturers don't make there own exhaust systems anyway they buy them in

Was he a real bobby or pcso? As retired sergeant and traffic cop he's talking utter crap. As long as it's within the decibel law you are ok.

He's giving it charlie big potatoes mate....

In those circumstances - "I believe not officer - it was built for the car by a company called long life. It's for road use and has passed the MOT which as you know now includes a noise check" - in a non confrontational innocent tone - say nothing more, just answer questions with factual non-confrontational answers.

Even if an exhaust is blowing terribly, (and with other defects not covered or penalised by a straight 3 point endorsement - eg tyres) - an officer can report you for summons, but should also offer the "Vehicle defect rectification scheme". Basically you get 14 days to get the part repaired and then taken to a testing station for confirmation. They sign a slip which the officer gives you, you report to a police station with the slip, and the offence is then set aside and not proceeded with, the idea being that we get cars legally on the road, nice and safe, not just dishing out fines.

Trouble is that as with so many other inter-actions with officers, it doesn't matter what anyone says - there is a thing called "the attitude test" - and to be fair and if we are honest with each other - I think we all do it, no matter what business we are in when we interact with people.

And like in every profession - there are some people who are arses ..... you may have met one.

manufacturers don't make exhausts themselves anyway.

He probably pulled you to check you out (assuming he was traffic officer), officers will more likely pull certain types of cars or vans and more so at certain hours of the day or night. (sported up saxo driven at midnight may indicate young lad over legal limit), if he was panda car he was probably a clueless idiot.

Top post Dan.

Pity there are officers who have this attitude. Also a shame they abuse their powers when they know nothing of the legalities. I also would admit for me it would be hard to not be a tad offish when replying to such a claim if it were me that was stopped. I would then expect the Policeman in question to arrange for every performance store, company and fitting shop to be plundered and closed for illegal business activity. That sounds very over the top but in essence that is what he is implying.

When it comes to such scenarios how are we, the public, supposed to react and believe what they are saying? No good saying 'illegal' it must be backed up with a known law in print for us to accept. Next they will be pulling people over for having a bright paint job, 'sir your colour is illegal and hurts peoples eyes and confuses bees (read yellow here ;)) :whistle:

No doubt I will get pulled in mine if it passes the MOT with its 'illegal' Janspeed cat back and decat system. I fear the V6 will become muted :sad:

Plenty of high end cars out there with OE systems that are far noisier than ours. TVR are one that springs to mind, they are unique and well made systems. This will rattle on for some time as there is so much ambiguity in the argument.

Its a sad day when your worried about getting into your car and going for a drive :police:

He was a traffic cop.

Did they do the old good cop bad cop routine.

Bottom line fellas is this ...

If the exhaust was illegal - you'd have been reported.

If you break the law - you will get stuck on. What some guys do is where they aren't sure they will warn.

Cops won't carry round legislation books to show you that under section 1 of the registration plate act - made that up by the way - your digits are 1 cm too close. What they will do is tell you that it's illegal and you then make your checks and decide whether you want to argue the point at court or not.

"Exhausts a bit loud mate - might be illegal" is a fair comment, but unless they are positive, you won't be reported for summons.

If you have a big bore exhaust bought from long life, powerflow, janspeed etc, which is for road use, you will be fine. If you knocked up a bit of metal tube and attached it to your manifold - you may well - and I'd say should - find yourself at court defending your position.

And beware the guy out alone in a panda. He might not be a traffic cop yet, but he may want to be, and by doing so may well know more than a traffic cop who's been doing it for 10 yrs. In many professions, the apprentice knows more about the theory than the experienced old hand ... ;)

I'm totally behind pulling the Yellows over :w00t: lol.

Who ever heard of a quiet TVR, they're meant to be loud and angry.

If you do an on-line quote with AXA car insurance (thats who I'm with incidentally), when you get to the modifications part it gives you a long list of items that you do not need to declare as modifications. Stainless steel exhausts being one of them. FYI - That s'all folks

Couldnt have put it better myself Dan, well said. And like i said before this is not a cop bashing session. Have came across some really decent coppers in my time but like you say there are always going to be the odd one or two that ruin the image of most good police men & woman

I know im going to regret saying this but ive not been pulled in the 9 yrs ive owned my Zed and ive had my exhaust for about 4 yrs now. I guess ill cross that bridge when i come to it. But when the time comes ill deffinately remember what Dan said and stay calm and answer any questions i can and remain polite the entire time.

trouble is it seems a high percentage of plods have this attitude, certainly most of the ones i have dealt with anyway. They are their own worst enemy, they have made me dislike them just because of their own awful attitudes and i think many people feel the same.
They cannot just treat everyone like criminals and talk to us like cr4p because that's what they some times deal with, the majority of folk are good people and they need to learn to treat everyone as good people until proven otherwise, instead in my experience, the normal is to treat everyone like a criminal, coming out with put downs and mouthing off like they are saints all the time,....and do you get an apology when they eventually find out you are completely in the right and they are completely in the wrong...do you heckers like .....i dont know who they think they are, but if they want my respect they have a long way to go.

Maybe we should all print this thread out and carry it with us.

Tell you what, Yellow ones are good for getting pulled.

Makes me laugh, when a grey haired old boy climbs out and the look on their faces.

But as Dan says, I'm always polite and friendly, yes sir, no sir, goes a long way.

Suppose its one of the draw backs of our cars.

Just have to make sure everything is 100%.

They just jealous. They have to drive round all day in a naff car, and are jealous of not having a ZS............................

Strangely I've never been pulled in any car.......

1) That sounds a little wrong
2) I've just jinxed myself.

If that was true he would be the busiest copper in Britain. He'd have to pull almost every Subaru, evo, corsa, and what other car is commonly modified. If of took his number and reported him to the ipcc!! Then he'd change his attitude.

Apart from the ones in the scoobies/evos/T5's/ST220's

Calm Down Dears ! He came across a **** head and that's that. Bet he doesn't pull you again. Doesn't quite sound right to me to be honest. It smells of young bobby out on traffic attachment that doesn't know **** from clay.

God he must be stupid then! Even I know that **** is better for modelling than clay!