May 2021

Cats & Pipes has hit back at DVSA, following the conclusion of a case that saw the North Wales-based company slapped with a £6,000 fine, plus £4,000 costs and a statutory surcharge of £170 over a single DPF which failed to meet labelling standards. Commenting on the outcome of the case, DVSA’s MSU Senior Investigator, Emma-Jane Morris said: “Manufacturers and distributors must ensure their products meet the necessary standards and are correctly marked and approved for the vehicles or engine types they are intended for. Companies flouting the standards will face prosecution. This prosecution also acts as an important lesson for garages and others that fit parts to ask questions of distributors to make sure parts are legal.” The case was held at Mold Magistrates court and concluded on 16 March. Following the release of the DVSA’s statement, Cats and Pipes issued its own response which asserted that it had not been prosecuted by the DVSA for supplying DPFs which failed to meet legal required environmental requirements. While the company admitted the unit in question failed to meet labelling standards, missing an engraved part number, it asserted that the unit itself was compliant. The DVSA originally entered four similar charges, dropping three of those charges prior to the Judge’s deliberation. In its statement, the company pointed out that on the remaining charge, following submissions in mitigation on behalf of the company, the District Judge stated that the offence related to a one-off incident which was the result of a temporary agency worker not following the instructions and training he had been given, and that there had been no systemic failures on the part of the company. The District Judge went on to point out that the offence was technical in nature and related only to a failure to indelibly mark the part as required by the regulations, and that the part was Type Approved and would therefore function correctly in reducing exhaust emissions. Cats & Pipes Managing Director David Carpenter said: “We were disappointed when it came to light over two years ago that one of our products had left the production facility contrary to our quality procedures, without an indelibly marked part number. As the unit met all other environmental standards, we expected an external audit by the DVSA of the Quality Assurance to ensure compliance and no further action. However, the DVSA considered it preferable to proceed with a court case bringing four charges, three of which were dropped on the day of the trial and prior to the Judge’s deliberations. “The DVSA were also supplied with evidence of the fact that the company had already identified this issue and that steps had been put in place to ensure this oversight in process would not be repeated. The closing comments from the Judge puts this into perspective and as a company we feel disillusioned and wholly disappointed in the way this has been handled by personnel within the DVSA.” NEWS 4 AFTERMARKET MAY 2021 www.aftermarketonline.net Cats & Pipes “disappointed” by DPF fine MOT connectivity: Emissions analysers rollout begins The roll-out of connected MOT equipment by DVSA is continuing, with emissions analysers the latest equipment type requiring connectivity going forward. From 1 May, anyone buying an exhaust gas analyser or diesel smoke meter will need to make sure it is a model that can connect to the MOT testing service. This applies to garages replacing equipment, Authorised Examiners taking over another site and any new garage receiving approval to carry out MOTs. Last year, the connectivity roll-out was put on hold as a response to the impact of COVID-19 on the sector. Commenting on the resumed roll-out, DVSA Head of MOT Policy Chris Price said: “We paused the introduction of connectable equipment last year to help garages manage their businesses through the pandemic, as well as the impact of MOT exemptions. As part of our recovery of the MOT service, we’ve been working with equipment manufacturers over the last few months to introduce connectable exhaust gas analysers and diesel smoke meters to further modernise the test.” Chris added: “After reinstating the grace period for connected equipment installation in December 2020, we wanted to give garages enough time to review their requirements around connected equipment before bringing in emissions analysers.”