The Irish Mitsubishi FTO Owners Club

guys im looking to get aDB reading from my exhaust before the NCT

I could be wrong but I don't think it makes a difference.
AFAIK it's just the emissions they're worried about.

well ill be fitting a cat for the nct but untill that its the gards im wondering how illegaly loud is my car

d_dan wrote:well ill be fitting a cat for the nct but untill that its the gards im wondering how illegaly loud is my car

The guards don't carry around a decibel meter and AFAIK theres no law that states how loud your exhuast can/can't be.

They will just query whether it is a standard exhaust or not - just say it was imported that way and that it still has its Catalytic Convertor, reasonators and baffles (a complete exhaust - not just a Halfrauds fart can). That should stump 'em! Most guards don't have a clue what they are looking at.

He states that the car may not exceed 70db at 3/4 the rev range

d_dan wrote:He states that the car may not exceed 70db at 3/4 the rev range

Did he mention at what distance from the exhaust this measurement would be taken?

There are several EU laws relating to Car exhausts and the modifying of such with some indications as to DB levels however Ireland has not adopted any of them. if they did I'm sure they'd have to incoprorate this into the NCT. Also if these exhausts are illegal why is it perfectly legal to buy them over the counter here in Ireland?

They still seem to rely on an old Irish law which just relates to noise disturbance as opposed to motor vehicle exhaust DB limits.
The only other Irish law is more in refernce to the condition of your exhaust and the existance of some form of silencer -

Silencer.
29. (1) Every vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall, subject to the provisions of sub-article (2) of this article, be fitted with an exhaust silencer or other device suitable and sufficient for reducing to a reasonable level the noise caused by the escape of exhaust gases from the engine.
(2) Sub-article (1) of this article shall not apply to a vehicle taking part in a trial, competition or race carried out on a road closed under section 35 of the Local Government Act, 1955 (No. 9 of 1955), subject to any conditions the local authority concerned may impose in connection with such closing.

Emission of smoke, etc.
30. (1) Every vehicle shall be so constructed as to prevent, to such extent as is reasonably possible, the emission of smoke, visible vapour, noxious gases or offensive odours.


Its this "reasonable level of noise" that is open for debate and many guards will just form their own personal opinion as oppossed to having any facts to rely on. If you are cuasing a nuisance by revving your engine and driving through built up areas at speed then perhaps the guard could have a case but otherwise I can't see how he could enforce "his personal opinion" in a court of law.

Just politely ask the guard to quote you the relevant act that states this 70db limit (and at what distance - circa 500mm to 1m in most countries where similar laws apply).

This guy is obviously out to get you Dan - just ensure you have an NCT,Tax and insurance cert and keep your nose clean for a while and he won't have a leg to stand on.

acutally out of all the locals I'm probably getting it the easiest

I actually rang traffic hq in portlaois. Any they stated under eu directive that the a car must be within 74 db
when issues what distance they went off talking about the machine but hey

d_dan wrote:I actually rang traffic hq in portlaois. Any they stated under eu directive that the a car must be within 74 db
when issues what distance they went off talking about the machine but hey

This EU directive is not Irish law yet.
My 350Z with a standard OE exhaust would have a much higher DB (than 74db) reading nevermind the RSR thats on it at the moment.

is there anywhere that i can read up on this law, adn that it states this is not irish law