Hello there,

I have a question regarding new Ultra Low Emissions Regs for the London area coming into play next October.
My 2000 XJ8 doesn't pass these so I will have to pay £15 every time I use it . I have just discovered that some late 2000 XJ8s and 2001-2002 models pass these regs. The question is does anyone know what the crucial difference is in the engine that allows this? None of the specification details I can get online point to any huge changes in the engine specs. Can I do anything to change the specifications on my model to pass the new emission test?

Thank you and have a great day !

Best

Pete

 

...can you tell us what you'll be failing? Right now all we know is you say it will, but what will?

 

Hi Highhorse

many thanks for your reply , I appreciate your time .

See below a brief statement from the Transport For London website on the new ULEZ charges. It seems that there was an update on the circa 2000 models that took them from Euro 3 to Euro 4 but it's probably a similar emissions standard as would be in the US. I am gathering that it is to do with NOx emissions. If you know anything about whether it would be possible to make this change retrospectively I would be very grateful indeed.

Your car looks superb by the way, I sometimes think I am at my happiest when polishing mine ! You probably have better weather than me so it stays shinier for longer no doubt.

Kind regards

Pete Moss

What are the standards?

We would prefer that you use a vehicle that meets the emissions standards rather than pay a daily charge.Euro standards - which first appeared in 1992 - are a range of emissions controls that set limits for air polluting nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) from engines. New vehicles and road vehicle engines must show that they meet these limits to be approved for sale.

The ULEZ standards for existing central London ULEZ and when the zone expands are:

• Euro 3 for motorcycles, mopeds, motorised tricycles and quadricycles (L category)
• Euro 4 (NOx) for petrol cars, vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles
• Euro 6 (NOx and PM) for diesel cars, vans and minibuses and other specialist vehicles
• Euro VI (NOx and PM) for lorries, buses and coaches and other specialist heavy vehicles (NOx and PM)

Euro 3 became mandatory for all new motorcycles in 2007

Euro 4 became mandatory for all new cars in 2005 and light vans in 2006

Euro 6 became mandatory for all new heavy duty engines for goods vehicles and buses from January 2014, September 2015 for cars and light vans, and September 2016 for larger vans up to and including 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.

 

It's not a "test".

Chances are the decision is based on the VIN (or reg. no. - same thing) so all you can do is change the car.

Short answer: No.

 

Thanks JagV8

I assume at some point they would have changed something within the engine to adhere to emissions 'tests' to conform to Euro 4 regulations. I am asking if anyone knows what that change consisted of and if it's possible to do it retrospectively ?

I don't really want to change the car.

best

Pete

 

Hi Pete,
Thanks for the compliment, I love my girl....
I'm with JagV8, it would have to be compared with your VIN to determine emission standards. Because there is no way you can "upgrade" your engine to meet a modern engines standards. Why not roll by a MOT station and ask them?

In the meantime I hope this may help... https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/e...ons-standards/ ...it seems your vehicle falls into Euro 3 as I read it. I determined this in the subject titled Euro Emissions Standard Checker just a bit down on the page. Then I scrolled back up to the orange highlighted links and prompted Euro 3. There was also a section regarding London standards, but I didn't review that.

 

Thanks Highhorse

that's a good idea, I might buy a cheap 2001-2002 scrap one of the same colour model and change the number plates ! ( I am kidding )

The thing is with these cars if you have a good one it seems silly to change it . I might just have to pay the charge and swallow the cost. I only use it about 5 time a month so a yearly ULEX bill would come to another £750 a which I could easily spend on solving all the problems on an new one .
Oh the number crunching when you own a Jag eh?

have a great weekend .

Pete

 

I realised that is what you're asking but the point is that making the changes (if viable) isn't anything like enough - you would have to somehow get the government database to understand and accept the change. (A sort of re-homologation.) And it's not going to happen!