Metro Turbo emisions in a mini
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all,

Just had my first MOT since i rebuilt my mini with a metro turbo engine,

As expected it failed, the main thing was emisions, the biggest problem i have is the mini is a 1993 model with a metro turbo engine (mid 80's i think)
due to this i have to meet quite strict emisions regulations, which just arnt feasable with a metro turbo engine! the MOT centre said if i cant prove the year of the engine they can test the emisions to the age of the engine therefore considerably lower the requirements, the engine will still need some tweaking to pass but its much more relaxed,

Any sugestions on how to prove the engine age? i have the engine code (12HD26 102851) and i know it's pre '89 how do i prove the age?

And also what year's are the boundrys for the different emisions requirements, i found it somewhere but i cant remeber where!

Cheers All!

Find a friendly MOT station sounds like the best bet.

What they said is correct...

Do you not have the log book of the doner car showing the engine number and original age ???

If not phone DVLA and explain the situation and ask if their records can link that engine number to the correct aged vehicle (it must have come from somewhere).

The trouble with trying to find a "friendly" MOT station nowadays is since it's all computerised they no longer have the flexibility to do things like this right.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

Unforchantly i didnt remove the engine, i bought the engine already out of the car, i wouldnt expect the DLVA to perticualy helpful - usualy they tend not to be.

Does the engine still have it's number?? Should be easy to prove when the engine was produced and what car it should go in. Maybe show the tester guess work's site with the engine number calculator.

Unless you can prove the age of the car your only recourse is to re shell into a pre 83 mini.

Some choice but thems the facts

Own the day

Was the mini carb or injection? Was he doing the pre cat test?

Stumbled across this in another link regarding gearing, but your engine "appears" to be from an '88, meeting '85 requirements. Maybe worth e-mailing / calling guess-works to ask how you might get documentation to prove the relationship between the engine no. and manufacture year?


According to MOT rules you need to meet the emissions requirements of the "older" part; engine or car;


Then; "For vehicles first used between 1st August 1986 and 31st July 1992 (D to J registration), the CO level must not exceed 3.5% by volume." []

Had a look for the limits on a '93 Mini but I can only find the proper "chart" Mr. MOT has on his wall which is £25.

If all else fails, lob a catalytic converter in there for the MOT...?!

Edited by Pottsy on 11th Dec, 2009.