Freelander 1999 1.8 petrol high emission

Hi, I have just failed the emission test 2nd time in 3 years time. I read some posts here but still could not find the answer.

History:
In 2012 I bought the Freelander 1999 1.8 petrol. It was 145000km mileage. From the service book it says the catalyst was changed once in 2010.

In 2013, emission test failed. After some highway driving then it passed.

In 2014, drove it on highway before the test, it passed the test.

In 2015, I have not been driving it properly for about one year. (only every now and then to keep the battery still works) Before the test I drove it on highway about an hour as in 2014 but it failed in the test. I was thinking could it be because the car has not been in use for long time so that the catalyst is rusted? Now the mileage of the car is about 151000km. The readings are as follows:

Idle condition (all passes)
CO: 0.21
CO2: 14.55
HC ppm: 97
O2: 0.30

On power: (CO and HC FAIL)
CO: 0.77 (0.3 allowable)
CO2: 13.6
HC ppm: 140 (100 allowable)
O2: 0.90
Lambda: 1.021

Besides, the exhaust gas smells bad and it looks a bit white.

I live in a small town and landrover service is 100km away from me. I would appreciate if anyone can help by commenting what could most probably be the problem. Thank you!

use better fuel not from a super market something like esso and buy some injector cleaner it just may do the job also sometimes the lambda sensor is to blame

As suggested you could try a fuel additive to see if it helps but it sounds as if it is running rich for some reason. Sorry I can't suggest anything but the engine is the same as found in many MG Rover cars so if you have a dealership nearer you could try them. I'd have thought any good local mechanic would be able to sort it though. They're fairly simple engines.

Non genuine after market cat known to cause issues.

Need to be cooking hot to pass on non genuine poor quality cat.

If your unlucky it will reward you with water ****ing out during testing

teddywood1 said:

use better fuel not from a super market something like esso and buy some injector cleaner it just may do the job also sometimes the lambda sensor is to blame

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Thank you. I always use best available fuel. The lambda reading is 1.021, which is normal. Doesn't that mean the lambda sensor is ok?

Alibro said:

As suggested you could try a fuel additive to see if it helps but it sounds as if it is running rich for some reason. Sorry I can't suggest anything but the engine is the same as found in many MG Rover cars so if you have a dealership nearer you could try them. I'd have thought any good local mechanic would be able to sort it though. They're fairly simple engines.

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Thank you. I'm also planning for the local mechanics.

fanatic said:

Non genuine after market cat known to cause issues.

Need to be cooking hot to pass on non genuine poor quality cat.

If your unlucky it will reward you with water ****ing out during testing

Click to expand...

Yea, the cheap cat was my first thought as well. Especially after long time no use probably the precious metals are not working.

zga001 said:

Yea, the cheap cat was my first thought as well. Especially after long time no use probably the precious metals are not working.

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Cheap after market cats are very poor quality. These don't have anything like that amount of precious metals required for long life.
Hi HC is a slight worry. When were the plugs last changed ?