The database is NOT to be relied on for the purposes of impounding your ride. Clearly the cop who stopped you knew this and that why you got a seven day ticket. I seem to think the Insurance companies have 14 days to update the database, i will check and get back with the answer, but alot of them are very slow. I have a list of said companies who in my expeirience are not on the ball with these updates, HSBC is on it along with Mr Happy Norwich Union to name but too.
The cop who dealt with the defective exhaust can only pass his opinion on it being defective, after having a look and nothing more. If its got a hole in it and it can be clearly seen, then that is an offence of defective exhaust, gases escaping, not passing through the silencer and also noisy. If its just noisy, no holes, except the one at the end!, unless he, or she! is authorised to test and inspect vehicles and indeed tests the noise on a home office approved, calibrated noise meter, then the evidence is not acceptable for a prosecution....BEWARE!... dont assume he, or she!.. hasnt got a mate with a T5 round the corner with a boot full of tools for the job!!
Oh...Fairly new legislation to beware of.....No MOT is now a fixed penalty ticket, so is No Insurance, £200 big ones and you lose your car with all the expence to get it back, and also no tax, £80 no points and again a walk home. Still be comforted in the fact that if you get smashed out of your head on smack, screw somenes house and nick the Dvd, then before leaving, drop a big brown fish on their carpet.....you might just get a caution!!!
Hope this helps.