Exhaust

Reasons for rejection

Compliance with approved standards

1. A vehicle that is required to comply with an approved (or a more recent version, or a higher) exhaust emission standard did not comply or cannot be demonstrated to have complied with at least one of the standards listed in the following tables or in Technical bulletin 28 at the time the vehicle was manufactured or modified.

The following tables only list approved vehicle exhaust emissions standards. More recent versions of the standards and higher standards (as well as approved standards) are listed in Technical bulletin 28.

• Table 11-2-1 Exhaust emissions requirements for Class MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA vehicles (except used-import disability vehicles)
• Table 11-2-2 Exhaust emissions requirements for used-import disability vehicles – Class MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA
• Table 11-2-3 Exhaust emissions requirements for Class MD3, MD4, ME, NB, NC vehicles
• Table 11-2-4 Exhaust emissions requirements for Class LA, LB, LC, LD, LE vehicles

Performance and modification

2. A vehicle that is required to pass the prescribed metered test (see 4. under Compliance with approved standards) does not pass the prescribed metered emissions test (see section 11-3, Metered emissions test specifications).

3. The exhaust system does not comply with requirements relating to performance set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 11-2.

4.  A vehicle that is required to comply with an exhaust emission standard doesn't illuminate a malfunction lamp self test related to emissions and/or engine systems when the ignition is first cycled (on).

5.  A vehicle that is required to comply with an exhaust emission standard displays a message or warning which may indicate a fault or noncompliance of the engine of the vehicle's emissions system (other than a warning system self test cycle).

Table 11-2-1 Exhaust emissions requirements for Class MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, NA vehicles (except used-import disability vehicles)

Summary of legislation

Applicable legislation

• Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions 2007.

Compliance with approved standards

1. The following are required to meet an approved vehicle exhaust emissions standard, or a more recent version of the standard or a higher standard:

• Vehicles that are:
  • petrol, CNG, LPG or diesel vehicles, and
  • class LA, LB, LC, LD, LE, MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4, ME, NA, NB or NC, and
  • less than 20 years old.  Less than 20 years old means first registered outside of New Zealand or manufactured 20 years or less before its date of certification for entry into service.

2. The following are not required to meet an approved vehicle exhaust emissions standard, or a more recent version of the standard or a higher standard:

• Tractors – meaning a motor vehicle (other than a traction engine) constructed principally for towing an agricultural trailer or powering agricultural implements. 
• Class MA or Class MC motorsport vehicles – as defined in the Land Transport Rule: Frontal Impact 2001.
• Immigrants' vehicles – meaning a motor vehicle that has been identified in writing, under Land Transport Rule: Frontal Impact 2001, or in accordance with Schedule 4 by the Director or by an organisation appointed by the Director under 5.3(2).
• Class MA special interest vehicles
• Mobile cranes – this doesn't include a truck mounted with crane apparatus.
• Scratchbuilt vehicles – as specified in paragraph (a) of the definition of ‘low volume vehicle’ that comply with the emissions requirements of the Low Volume Vehicle Code.
• Military vehicles – as referred to in regulation 5(e) of the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Standard) Regulations 2022.
• Enduro, farm, special interest or trial motorcycles – as defined in Land Transport Rule: Light-vehicle Brakes 2002.

3. The Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions doesn't apply to ancillary engines that don't power the vehicle's wheels (for example, refrigeration units, motorhome electricity generators).

4. Approved vehicle emissions standard and higher standard are defined terms:

• Approved vehicle emissions standard means a vehicle emissions standard specified in Table 11.-2-1, or Table 11-2-2, or Table 11-2-3 or Table 11-2-4  (Part 3 Schedule 1 of the Land Transport Rule Vehicle Exhaust Emissions 2007).
• Higher standard means an approved vehicle emissions standard that would have applied to the vehicle if the vehicle was inspected at the border or manufactured (as the case may be) during a later period.

5. Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions 2007 defines Euro 4 as follows:

Euro 4
(a) means:

1. UN/ECE Regulation No. 83, uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to the emission of pollutants according to engine fuel requirements (E/ECE/324E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.1/Add.82/Rev.2) incorporating the 05 series of amendments, as per the limit values in row B of the table to clause 5.3.1.4; or

2. Council Directive 70/220/EEC as amended by Council Directive 98/69/EC as per the limit values in row B of the table to clause 5.3.1.4 of Annex I of 98/69/EC…

This definition does not necessarily require the vehicle to be formally certified as Euro 4. The two elements required to meet this definition are:

1. The vehicle must be certified to UN/ECE Regulation 83.05 or EC Directive 70/220/EEC as amended by 98/69/EC (or a later amendment), and

2. The declared emissions values on that certification must be within the specified limits set out in Row B of the quoted table (the Euro 4 emissions limits).

In practice, it is possible for a vehicle to be formally certified in Europe as a Euro 3 vehicle, but for it to comply with the Row B emissions limits required for Euro 4. Such vehicles are certified to UN/ECE Regulation 83.05 or 98/69/EC, or later amendment, (which contain both Euro 3 and Euro 4 requirements) In cases like this, despite being formally certified as Euro 3, the vehicle meets the Emissions Rule definition as a Euro 4 vehicle and can be accepted as such.

Performance

6.  The following must pass a metered test (see section 11-3, Metered test specifications).

• Vehicles that are:
  • Petrol, CNG, LPG or diesel, and
  • Class MA, MB, MC, MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4, ME, NA, NB or NC, and
  • less than 20 years old (first registered outside of New Zealand or manufactured 20 years or less before its date of certification for entry into service), and
  • either
    • used vehicles, or
    • new vehicles that have been modified such that the modification might prevent the vehicle being able to pass the vehicle's test.

7. The following vehicles are exempt from the requirement to pass a metered emissions test:

• tractors, or
• Class MA or Class MC motor sport vehicles.

8. The exhaust system must comply with requirements relating to performance set out in the VIRM: In-service certification, section 11-2.