In this work, a laboratory ageing cycle simulating the real engine ageing for three-way catalysts was developed. The laboratory cycle was created based on the rapid ageing hot (RAH) cycle used in the engine bench ageings. The simultaneous gas concentration and temperature changes were achieved by adjusting the IR-furnace and the gas flow parameters. The laboratory ageing cycle was verified by testing different samples after different ageings with the laboratory and the engine tests. In addition, some characterization methods: specific surface area (BET-method), dispersion (CO-chemisorption), particle size (CO-chemisorption) and oxygen storage capacity (with CO-O-2 exchange experiments), were used to, compare the effect of the different ageings on the catalyst samples. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.