Emission measurements
The Plus Katsastus inspection chain is 100% Finnish-owned, with more than 40 locations around Finland.
Emission measurements
Emissions and exhaust gas measurement services are available at all our locations.
Car exhaust gases contain gaseous and solid compounds that are harmful to the environment and human health. The carbon dioxide produced as a combustion product accelerates changes in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Every car user can contribute to reducing exhaust emissions and the harm they cause, for example by paying attention to car use, driving habits and maintenance. Structural requirements for new cars have lowered their emission levels.
An emission or smoke measurement during an inspection provides valuable information about the condition of the vehicle’s engine and helps the driver to reduce the environmental impact. Reduced emissions also mean reduced fuel consumption.
Emissions from petrol cars are measured in terms of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC). The smoke value (k) is measured for emissions from diesel cars.
The OBD measurements examine how a vehicle operates based on data stored in its own vehicle computer.
For cars and vans with positive-ignition engines registered on or after 1 January 2001, OBD measurements have been made a compulsory inspection element as of 1 January 2004.
Diesel cars brought into use after 1 September 2016 are also subject to OBD measurements.
The measurement is used to determine whether any error statuses occur during driving. OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) monitors the commands and responses of the car’s engine control unit.
What kinds of emission measurements do we carry out?
| Car | Emission measurements |
| Petrol car, brought into use in 1978 or later | Periodic inspections include an exhaust emissions inspection for petrol cars brought into use in 1978 or later. Exhaust emissions from petrol-powered low-emission cars are measured both at idling speed and at increased engine speed. The lambda value, or air coefficient, is also measured. |
| Petrol cars, brought into use in 2001 or later | For petrol cars brought into use in 2001 or later, an OBD measurement is carried out in addition to the exhaust emissions inspection. The on-board diagnostics (OBD) system became mandatory for petrol cars on 1 January 2001. The OBD system check replaces the idle speed measurement for cars brought into use after 2001. |
| Petrol car, under 10 years old | Exhaust emissions are checked by performing an OBD measurement. |
| Diesel car, brought into use between 1980 and 31 August 2016 | Exhaust emissions are checked using a smoke measurement for diesel cars brought into use between 1 January 1980 and 31 August 2016. |
Diesel car, brought into use from 1 September 2016 onwards | Diesel car, brought into use from 1 September 2016 onwards |
No emission measurement | Emission measurements are not mandatory for petrol cars brought into use before 1978, nor for diesel cars brought into use before 1980. Exhaust emission inspections are not carried out on cars with a two-stroke engine or that run on kerosene either. |
