Emission fail

Thanks stealth, I'll think about it again when the exhaust has been fixed.

After an attempted illegal rip off (does anyone think otherwise?) I'd be after far more than a free retest, especially if DVSA/Watchdog/the papers happened to be mentioned in passing.

We know it goes on, both small independants and national chains, but there never seems to be any real evidence when needed. Perhaps DVSA should actually spend some of the fortune they're saving on Comp 2 (don't forget they now get ALL the slot fee, not just a small percentage) and look in the right direction. I'm just pleased we can be here to help a few of the motoring public and stop them getting well and truly shafted.

I agree with all the above, this was a blatant attempt at a rip off. IF there was a hole in the exhaust (and I'm doubting that there is!) then fail it on that, not excessive smoke!
One thing that I think has been overlooked though about why it passed a CAT test lest year. It's a 1995 car. If I got it in first step I would do a normal BET test. If it failed then on to the manufacturer specific limits which, being a Suzuki (and I don't know how they get away with that!) there are none so THEN test to pre-CAT limits. To me that's why the poster got a CAT test pass last year. Why he didn't get one this year is a whole other story!

Talk about odd, or talk about someone not knowing what he's doing, or talk about fail for profit (fast fit bonus) .....

A very suspicious attempt to make money in my opinion. Report them. We do not need this type of behaviour in our trade.
Recently had a lady come in for an mot. 5 year old Skoda Fabia low mileage well maintained. It sailed through the mot. She was very pleased when she came to pay the bill and told me that it failed and needed £450 worth of work by a cut price mot test station just a few streets away. She will be back to me for a service soon she said. :thumbup:

5 seconds or more at tick over, blue or black smoke during acceleration "sufficient to obscure the view of other road users" - that's gotta be pretty thick smoke !

Hi everyone. Thanks for all your comments and advice. I have had a new exhaust installed (at £100 less than the MOT garage quoted for the section) and decided to just get it tested elsewhere. It sailed through with no problems on the cat test just like previous tests. I appreciate that I could (and perhaps should) have made a formal complaint but I have had enough hassle with it so far. I am just making sure that everyone I know and meet is aware of my experience at this testing station.
Thanks again