Carmakers copyright repairs or changes

[Niall]

so which of the "alot of mods" are illegal in the UK then toms?

Neons? nope, not if iftted correctly
Alloys? Nope, Not if fitted correctly
Engine modifications?  Nope, they're not illegal either if declared on insurance (and not illegal anyway)
Interior modifications (roll cage, etc).?  Nope, thats not illegal, (but might not be approved for track use if not MSA spec and cert)
Brake upgrades... Nope these are fine
Suspension upgrades.. these are good too..


I think that it can be said quite simply said that all mods are legal (with a Few exceptions such as things that render the car dangerous - i bullbars, Canards that protrude or are sharp, xenon lights (without auto adjusters and washing equipment)

Well it's illegal to change anything that alters the factory emissions for a start...that's decats, DPF removal, de-EGR, exhaust etc.  But also technically wheels and many other engine mods...

If you go to buy a brand new car today (1.0 ecoboost Fiesta is a good example) and want bigger alloys on it from the factory, it's not allowed as the emissions tolerances are so tight now...  Of course you can currently buy the car and wheels separately but Ford won't fit them for you.  

It's illegal to increase the decibel level of the exhaust over standard, so again, exhausts are technically illegal.

It's illegal to have a screen visible to the driver when in motion - so DVD headunits are technically illegal. Wrong....explain factory sat navs or trip computers?

It's illegal to remove airbags in a car equipped with them so aftermarket seats and steering wheels are technically illegal.

It's illegal to not have the reg plate on the frontmost vertical surface, so stickers or window mounted plates are illegal.

It is illegal to have the incorrect beam pattern and be dazzling other drivers so most retro-fit HIDs are illegal.

It's illegal to tint the front windows more than 30% so pretty much all aftermarket front tints are illegal.


There are loads of 'everyday' mods that are technically illegal.  Note I say 'technically' because currently they aren't police'd well, and in a lot of cases are impossible to police anyway...  I mean pulling over car and spending half hour checking for an EGR blank isn't really feasible.  You also have to remember that just because something passes MOT doesn't make it legal.