207 replies to this topic

[davemate]

Background:
Bad day today; I got pulled over and stopped for a noise test after I overtook a car on a double lane slip lane (safe manouver of a car doing 40 mph on a 60mph slip lane). They did the usual checks and then wanted to use their kit which the government have just invested in and test the noise output of my car, apparently this kit costs 2k per kit. I got asked for idle check first, of whcih he said that the initial fire up also counted, which put it at 83, but then came to rest at 77. I then was asked the hold it at 4.5k revs three times and it came out at 97.8, 97.6 and 97.7.

I was then given a fixed penalty notice under Regulation 54 of the Construction Use Regs of 1986. Of which this details that a car can not exceed the noise output of a vechicle from standard how it left the factory.

I know a lot of or cars have different exhausts from standard, with the FPN I was told that if I got stopped again then it would mean an instant court summons under the antisocial behaviour act. Obviously I am very keen for this not to happen, and, I am, quite worried. The police officer was very clear and very helpful and quite sympathetic, noting that it wasnt a garry boy exhaust as was clearly a car that I do race, he even went on to say that he knew someone with a VX, he was very helpful and I can not fault him in his carrying out of his duty.

The Question:

I really want to know what the noise levels of these cars were from factory, of which Vauxhall must have this data, so I need to find it. Presumably the freedom of information act will allow me get hold of this??? Was the VSE sold as track only, and therefore I can I/can't I use this as a frame of reference, as I believe that mine had one of these from factory bought originally and then had a milltek fitted later on before i bought it by the second owner. I have had this current exhaust for quite a while (2.5" on a stage 2) now and I am leaving Suffolk in the next couple of months due to work (or the lack of!). Is this order a local thing, or are we all likely to get into grief across the country?

Also:
I was told that there are guidelines on the noise levels allowed on the road, of which he said that they have this at 90db being the upper limit. I am currently trying to find these guidelines in written form, as the actual statement I was shown from the Construction Use Regs was somewhat brief. Again, the officer was very helpful in saying that I could get a retest at any time, without prosecution or harassment and he was very helpful in his advice and offers of help; so much to the point that he said that he was glad that I was taking such an interest.

Ways forward:
I am going to get the tips angles separated, so that they have more of a spread of sound, as I think the double rearward facing nature of them is a problem. I am also looking into an internal resonator for the system to further reduce output, or am I flogging a dead hourse to try and get it down by another 7db on the system I have?

[JG]

Freedom of information only applies to public bodies, private companies are not bound by it. I'm sure you could write to vxl to try and get an answer, they probably measured it once. My VSE used to regularly break 102db, so i'd have had no chance. It does sound though, despite their attitude, that you came up against a job's worth.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Were VX's not sold as standard with a VSE though which would exceed 102db then...?

[JG]

there was some disclaimer with them.

[Goosenka]

VSE were optional extras? Well that's me fcuked then.

[JG]

i would imagine a standard vx is around 90db

[XXX]

Of which this details that a car can not exceed the noise output of a vechicle from standard how it left the factory.

So a TVR is legal at, say 100db, whilst a Nissan Micra that orginally had a factory level of 20db but an aftermarket exhaust increases to 30db is illegal? What a load of bollocks.

That is the end for aftermarket bike exhausts then.....!

[darronwall]

nowt better to do,i have a genuine raw nerve where the bluebottle's are concerned,they are just cash collecters

[Hark]

I'm quite shocked by this, as I had no idea that it was an offense, never mind one carrying a fixed penalty notice.

I hope you don't mind, but I've reposted on Pistonheads, in 'Plod and the Law' section, as they are generally pretty knowledgable. I'd be interested to see what law you've broken.

If you want me to remove it drop me a pm and I will straight away. Thread is here:http://www.pistonhea...aust noise 97db

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

What pisses me off is jobsworth traffc cops. Not all obviously, but why tax the working man when there are plenty of people out there with no insurace, tax etc and people committing genuine crimes scum everywhere and they take the easy option and pull over someone in a nice car and find any obscure reason to fleece them

[Duncan_F]

there was some disclaimer with them.

Yeah, when Nelly and I fitted mine we spotted that there was a sticker on it claiming that the exhaust was for track use only.

[XXX]

Were VX's not sold as standard with a VSE though which would exceed 102db then...?

VSE was a factory-fit option but the option list does state it being for "track use only"

[Paulo]

I thought the VSE was stamped as "track use only" Beaten to it!!!

Edited by Paulo, 18 February 2012 - 09:41 PM.

[Goosenka]

What pisses me off is jobsworth traffc cops. Not all obviously, but why tax the working man when there are plenty of people out there with no insurace, tax etc and people committing genuine crimes scum everywhere and they take the easy option and pull over someone in a nice car and find any obscure reason to fleece them

Indeed worry about sh** that needs worrying about. Is noise such an issue in Suffolk? What about lorrys?

[Goosenka]

Were VX's not sold as standard with a VSE though which would exceed 102db then...?

VSE was a factory-fit option but the option list does state it being for "track use only"

Appears its too loud for some tracks anyhow

[davemate]

I'm quite shocked by this, as I had no idea that it was an offense, never mind one carrying a fixed penalty notice.

I hope you don't mind, but I've reposted on Pistonheads, in 'Plod and the Law' section, as they are generally pretty knowledgable. I'd be interested to see what law you've broken.

If you want me to remove it drop me a pm and I will straight away. Thread is here:http://www.pistonhea...aust+noise+97db

not at all thanks for teking an interest

what i am trying to work out is am I actually over standard, in whcih case I had not commited an offence int he first place and where the officer said "guidelines" are these actually a law. I was on the A14 and therefore not in a built up area and i was driving at 11:30 am in the morning.

[JimmyJamJerusalem]

Were VX's not sold as standard with a VSE though which would exceed 102db then...?

VSE was a factory-fit option but the option list does state it being for "track use only"

there was some disclaimer with them.

Yeah, when Nelly and I fitted mine we spotted that there was a sticker on it claiming that the exhaust was for track use only.

I thought the VSE was stamped as "track use only" ?

Quite ironic really given that it's one of the few exhausts which will get you booted off of 80% of the tracks in the UK

[Goosenka]

This boils my p*ss. So you get fined but without knowing that this is an issue? No pre warning go sort it out type message? Did anyone know about this?

[davemate]

Darn, so it looks like the factory option... when the car left the factory and was delivered to the first owner isnt a reasonable excuse

[davemate]

This boils my p*ss. So you get fined but without knowing that this is an issue? No pre warning go sort it out type message? Did anyone know about this?

to be honest a producer and having to correct the noise levels within 30 days and prove that it is sorted would have caused me a lot more grief.