1999 Defender 90 - failed mot for no catalytic converter. But not fitted from build until 2002

Hello all,
My Defender td5 10P built 99 reg 200 has been failed at U-drive mot for
no catalytic converter. (did not carry out smoke test either) I was sure that it wasn't built with one as its never been mentioned in the 8yrs I have had it mot tested and after reading posts here on decat (which ive not done) and talking to a very helpful main dealer (yep really) who confirmed it wasn't.
My problem is, U drive are unhelpful obviousley saying they are right and DVSA (vosa's new name) are as helpful as a chocolate teapot telling me I have to get proof from the manufacture as in Land Rover hq. I have looked at the land rover repair manual and it shows no cat in exhaust section, but I'm sure that wont be accepted.
Has anyone had this issue and how did you resolve it? Can i simply go to another test station?

Find a test station that knows land rovers
My 2001 didnt have a cat, I think it came later with the new later 15p? engine as you said and was only a DOC unit.

Rickjw said:

Hello all,
My Defender td5 10P built 99 reg 200 has been failed at U-drive mot for
no catalytic converter. (did not carry out smoke test either) I was sure that it wasn't built with one as its never been mentioned in the 8yrs I have had it mot tested and after reading posts here on decat (which ive not done) and talking to a very helpful main dealer (yep really) who confirmed it wasn't.
My problem is, U drive are unhelpful obviousley saying they are right and DVSA (vosa's new name) are as helpful as a chocolate teapot telling me I have to get proof from the manufacture as in Land Rover hq. I have looked at the land rover repair manual and it shows no cat in exhaust section, but I'm sure that wont be accepted.
Has anyone had this issue and how did you resolve it? Can i simply go to another test station?

Click to expand...

I’m sure that your VIN will state it wasn’t built with one if you use a VIN decoder. Google “Defender VIN decoder”, make sure it says it doesn’t have one, then go and educate the tester. If you can find the proof in the VIN info, I would be tempted to inform DVSA.

Edit: here is a decoder.
https://www.firstfour.co.uk/land-rover-vin

Interestingly, character 8 shows engine type, for TD5, as only having no CAT on discovery 2.

Pre 2002
The CAT (well, it’s not really a CAT it’s a DPF) has to work IF FITTED

But as you say, pre 2002 Defenders weren’t fitted with one. As suggested above, take it to an MOT station that knows about Defenders

Rickjw said:

Hello all,
My Defender td5 10P built 99 reg 200 has been failed at U-drive mot for
no catalytic converter. (did not carry out smoke test either) I was sure that it wasn't built with one as its never been mentioned in the 8yrs I have had it mot tested and after reading posts here on decat (which ive not done) and talking to a very helpful main dealer (yep really) who confirmed it wasn't.
My problem is, U drive are unhelpful obviousley saying they are right and DVSA (vosa's new name) are as helpful as a chocolate teapot telling me I have to get proof from the manufacture as in Land Rover hq. I have looked at the land rover repair manual and it shows no cat in exhaust section, but I'm sure that wont be accepted.
Has anyone had this issue and how did you resolve it? Can i simply go to another test station?

Click to expand...

I would be getting the documentation/VIN decode etc. even if it meant going to LR and getting a build/parts print out and go and slam it down in front of them, I wouldn't let them away with it, I would be getting them educated - I'd probably then tell them I won't be using them again and leaving - it's not about the MoT failure, it's that fact these little twerps are so bloody stupid.