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2013 models hit their expiration date

Fall is upon us, and as we all know, autumn marks the beginning of new-car season. Brand-spanking new models get the opportunity to make their debut in the automotive world, while others are lucky enough to continue their journey into the next generation. But other vehicles are hitting the end of the assembly line.

Petrol cars twice as likely to fail MOT on emissions

The latest MOT test data shows that 26.2% of all cars tested fail on excess exhaust emissions – and surprisingly petrol cars fail more than twice as often as diesels in this part of the annual roadworthiness test. According to the official Vehicle Operator and Standard Agency (VOSA) figures, which cover all of 2010 and the first nine months of 2011, 9.7% of petrol cars failed to meet MOT emissions standards compared to just 3.9% of diesels. On Bing: see pictures of the MOT test Find out how much a used car with 12 months MOT costs on Auto Trader The analysis has been carried out by fuel additive “provider” Redex, which naturally has an interest in the findings, since its products are designed to breakdown engine deposits and improve efficiency.

BMW releases power kits for the 135i and 335i models

BMW 135i and 335i models can now be retrofitted with two new performance power kits for more muscle and speed. The Version 1 kit has new engine software to optimize performance, while Version 2 tacks on an auxiliary water cooler and radiator fan to keep the engine from getting feverish during extreme driving. With either kit, horsepower increases by 20 hp, to 320 hp, on both models, and torque jumps to 332 lb-ft for models equipped with automatic transmission.