The emission plate value matters in the MOT as it’s the manufacturer’s own figure for that specific vehicle, and it’s what a diesel emissions test should always be measured against where it’s available. If a tester can’t find it and defaults to the standard value instead, that default is set considerably higher than most plate values, which makes the car far more likely to pass even if its emissions genuinely wouldn’t meet the manufacturer’s own limit. Good MOT emissions testing compliance depends on testers making a proper effort to find the real figure, even when it’s hidden away on a sticker in the engine bay or boot, rather than falling back on the easier option.
Why does the emission plate value matter so much in an MOT?
