VEHICLE EMISSION TESTING
petrol and diesel engines?
Introduction
This leaflet gives advice to drivers about emission
testing, information about pollution from vehicles,
and ways in which motorists can reduce it.
Elmbridge Borough Council has teamed up with
the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)
and the Police in order to carry out roadside checks
of vehicles so as to:
• reduce pollution from vehicle exhausts,
• take the worst polluting vehicles off the road,
• make motorists more aware of the importance
of regularly maintaining vehicles so as to keep
their emissions within the legal limits all the year
round.
What do the roadside checks
involve?
Any car, taxi, coach, bus or lorry may be stopped,
regardless of whether it is a petrol or diesel engined
vehicle. Their exhaust emissions are checked on
the spot by a vehicle examiner. The limits for
different pollutants are detailed in the Road
Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.
What happens if my vehicle fails
its test?
The vehicle inspector will serve a legal notice on
you giving you 14 days in which to have the vehicle
repaired or adjusted and the emissions retested
as part of an MOT test. If you don’t carry out the
work and get the vehicle retested you can be
prosecuted and fined.
If you have also neglected to maintain you vehicle
in other ways e.g. a blown exhaust or defective
suspension you can be prosecuted and fined.
What are the major pollutants from
Petrol Vehicles
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
This is generated from the incomplete burning of
fuel in the engine. In the U.K. road traffic produces
91% of all CO emissions. When it is inhaled it
reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
and can cause headaches, fatigue, stress,
respiratory problems and at high levels - death.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
These are produced from the burning of fuel in
the engine. In the U.K. road traffic is responsible
for 49% of all NOx emissions. NOx emissions
contribute to the formation of acid rain, combine
with hydrocarbons to form low level ozone
pollution, and may contribute to lung disease
particularly during pollution peaks.
Hydrocarbons (HC)
These are compounds of hydrogen and carbon and
are present in petrol and diesel. Benzene is an
example. Petrol in the U.K. contains about 2%
benzene. In the U.K. road traffic is responsible for
about 35% of all HC emissions. HCs react with
nitrogen oxides to produce a number of pollutants,
including ozone, which can affect human health
and also causes plant damage. Benzene itself
can cause some forms of cancer.
Smoke (particulate matter or PM)
Smoke consists of fine particles of carbon coated
with organic chemicals as a result of fuel being
partially burnt in the engine. Increases in PM levels
are associated with increases in death from heart
and lung disease and may cause lung cancer.
What are the emission limits?
All new petrol vehicles have to meet limits for HC,
NOx and CO.
Vehicles used first before 1 August 1975 are tested
visually. Vehicles used first between 1 August 1975
and 1 August 1986 must have CO not exceeding
4.5% and HC 0.12% of total exhaust emissions by
volume. For vehicles first used after 1 August 1986
the CO value drops to 3.5%.
Diesel Vehicles
Those used first before 1 August 1979 are tested
visually, those first used after that date have a
metered smoke test.
Taxis
Licensed taxis are subject to annual smoke and
emission tests.
Vehicles with advanced emission
control systems.
Since 1 January 1996 some vehicles with
advanced emission control systems have been
required to meet tougher standards.
What should motorists and vehicle
operators do?
• Make sure vehicles are regularly maintained,
checking the tuning, emission controls, and tyre
pressures.
• Don’t make unnecessary journeys. Short trips
use a lot of fuel, especially if the engine is cold.
Walk, cycle or use public transport more.
• Drive more slowly. Driving no faster than 60
m.p.h. will reduce emissions and save fuel.
• Drive more gently. Hard acceleration and
sudden stops increase fuel consumption.
• If you are stuck in traffic for more than a minute, VEHICLE EMISSION
switch off the engine.

Smoky Diesels
TESTING
We would welcome your comments on
If you see a diesel vehicle that is smoking badly this, or any of our other leaflets, to ensure
you can report it to the Vehicle Inspectorate for they meet the needs of the users of our
further action. Take a note of the registration services. Advice for motorists on
number of the vehicle, any identifying features what the test involves,
such as a company name, where and when you pollution from vehicles and
spotted it and then telephone the Vehicle and
Operator Services Agency (VOSA) listed below.
We can make this leaflet how to reduce emissions
A leaflet on this is available from the available as a large print version from vehicles.
Environmental Health Division. or as an audio cassette.
For further information on vehicle emission testing Please contact us to request
or to report a smoky diesel contact:
either of these versions.
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
(VOSA)
RTE Division
Mitcham GVTS,
Redhouse Road Strategic Director - Services
Croydon, Surrey D.R. Wiltshire, BSc, DipTP, DMS, MRTPI,
CR0 3AQ MCMI.
Tel: 0208 665 5715
Head of Environmental Health
A.M. Deag, BSc, MCIEH, DMS.
Don’t rely on your
Environmental Health Division,
annual MOT test! Elmbridge Borough Council,
Civic Centre, Tel: 01372 474750
High Street, Fax: 01372 474915
Your vehicle should Esher, Surrey DX 36302 ESHER Environmental Health Division
be roadworthy and KT10 9SD Minicom 01372 474219
Services Directorate
comply with
email: envhealth@elmbridge.gov.uk
exhaust emission
standards 365 days
of the year. JUNE 2005
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