Car Modifications: UK Laws and Regulations
Upgrading your car with modifications is a great way to turn heads and show your taste for style on the road, but did you know that some car modifications are illegal in the UK?
At G Force Styling, we are here to give you the low down on car modifications to ensure your vehicle looks premium without getting you in trouble with the law.
In this post, we will discuss the types of car modifications you should be cautious about and answer your questions about how they can impact your car insurance.
What is car modification?
Car modification is changing a vehicle to no longer match the original manufacturer’s specifications. Modification can also be known as car styling or car tuning and can consist of cosmetic or performance upgrades, but more on this later.
Car modification isn’t the same as repairing a car, as repairs restore a damaged vehicle with an identical part or fix it to maintain the same factory standards. Typically, car modification is done to make a vehicle look more stylish or even to enhance performance and handling using bespoke car parts.
There are two types of car modifications you should consider:
Types of car modifications
Cosmetic modification
Cosmetic car modifications are used to change the look and aesthetics of a vehicle to stand out on the road. Think of distinctive paint jobs, tinted windows or interior LED lighting. Some other cosmetic car modifications include:
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Dashboard customisation
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Body kit
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Front and rear bumpers
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Wheel accessories
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Paintwork
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Rooftop vents
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Light lens tints
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Tinted windscreens
Performance modification
Whilst cosmetic modifications impact the look and feel of your car, performance modifications enhance the handling. This can include optimising fuel efficiency and speed. Performance modifications subtly change your car, but you will notice a difference in how the car feels to drive. Other performance modifications include:
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Steering
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Suspension
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Exhaust modifications
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Filtration
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Brakes
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Engine and Drivetrain
Does modifying cars affect insurance?
Understanding the rules and regulations associated with modifications is important for insurance purposes. Any change you make to your car will impact your insurance cost, as your provider may think increasing its performance means a higher risk of accidents.
With cosmetic modifications, insurance providers may consider your car more attractive to break-ins or theft. A higher risk for insurers translates to a higher cost for you.
Do I need to tell my car insurer if I have modified my car?
When you have modified your car, you must inform your insurer promptly, no matter how large or small. It is important to do so, as your insurance can become void if you fail to inform them. You may not be eligible for compensation if you make a claim or if someone makes a claim for you if you haven’t informed your provider. Don’t worry; not all modifications will cause your insurance costs to rise; some may even bring your total amount down.
Car modifications that affect car insurance
With each car modification you add to your vehicle, declaring this to your insurer will impact the price of your insurance. It is worth checking with your insurance provider before customising your car to see whether it will positively or negatively impact your cost. Below are some common modifications and how they can impact insurance pricing.
What car modifications could bring your insurance down?
It is worth checking with your provider, but some modifications that can bring premiums down include:
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Downsizing your engine
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Addition of high-performance brakes
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Parking sensors
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Suspension upgrades
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Anti-roll bars
What car modifications won’t increase your premium by much?
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Alloy wheels
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Repainting
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Tinted windows
What car modifications will increase your premium?
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Large body kits
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Extreme window tinting
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Neon underglow or extra lighting
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Supercharger installation
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Brake disc upgrades
Which car modifications are illegal in the UK?
Not all car modifications are legal in the UK. To ensure you don’t get pulled over by the police, here are some car modifications deemed illegal in the UK.
It is worth checking with your insurance provider whether or not the specific car modification you wish to add is road-safe and legal before doing so.
1. Neon lights
In most cases, adding neon lights to your vehicle is illegal. If you are determined to add neon lights to your vehicle, you can do so legally if you add them to the bottom of your car, but the legal requirement is to ensure the neon tubing is not visible. The light cannot be too bright or flashy, as this can distract drivers around you.
2. Window tints
Whilst window tinting isn’t illegal, there are strict regulations around the degree of tint you can modify your car with. The front windscreen must be at least 75% tint-free, whereas the side windows must be 70% tint-free to ensure clear visibility on the roads and your surroundings.
There is an exception to the window tinting rule. If your vehicle was placed on the road before 1 April 1985, the front and side windows must be 75% tint-free. Selling a vehicle that doesn’t adhere to these rules is illegal.
3. Loud exhausts
Whilst a loud exhaust might turn heads, it is illegal to have a car exhaust exceeding 74 decibels. Any modification that breaches this makes your modification illegal in the UK. The Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) scheme ensures that all cars are ‘type approved’ before they are sold, which means they comply with the standards of emissions and safety regulations of the UK law.
Changes to the exhaust management system, removal of parts, or tampering with the exhaust control system can impact the IVA and damage the environment.
4. Spoiler upgrades
Upgrading your spoiler can help with the handling of your car due to its aerodynamic efficiency; it can also make your vehicle look sportier. Making upgrades to your spoiler isn’t illegal, but the modification method can be if it is not secured properly.
If the car has any exposed or sharp edges or isn’t fastened properly, you may be forced to remove the spoiler by the police.
5. Rear and headlight tints
In the UK, white and yellow lights are allowed at the front of vehicles, while red lights are allowed at the back. Any deviation from these colours, including tints for headlights or neon or flashy lights, will result in the police pulling you over.
Another thing to note is that any halogen bulb with a colour temperature over 4,200K is not road-legal. This is because they produce a slight blue tint exclusively reserved for emergency services.
Pros and cons of buying used cars with modifications
If you are looking to purchase a vehicle that has already been modified, there are a few considerations you need to consider before committing. In this section, we will discuss the pros and cons of purchasing cars with modifications.
Pros of buying a modified car |
Cons of buying a modified car |
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Car modifications on finance cars
Purchasing a car under a PCP car finance contract is a great way to bag your dream car at an affordable monthly cost. In this section, we discuss whether adding your own stamp to a car bought on finance is possible.
Can you modify a car you’ve bought on finance?
When you enter a PCP car finance contract, you are not a vehicle's legal owner until the full contract's final payment has been made. This means you cannot modify a car you have bought on finance unless you have a written agreement or permission from the finance provider.
If you get permission from your finance provider, you must only modify it within the terms of the agreement. You will be in breach of contract if you make modifications that have not been agreed upon and may be liable to pay excessive penalties or fees. This extends to even minor changes to the vehicle, including upgrading your stereo or satnav system. It is important to check with the finance provider before you modify your car.
Round-Up: General tips for modifying a car
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Make sure your modifications are of a safe and high quality.
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Ensure an experienced professional fits any modifications.
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Check your modifications are legal.
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Make sure you are the car’s legal owner.
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Inform your insurance provider about any modifications.
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Understand your modifications and how they will impact driving performance.
Find premium quality alloy wheels at G Force Styling
If you are looking for a stylish, reliable upgrade, explore the range of alloy wheels available at G Force Styling today. The selection of sleek and stylish alloys available come from reputable manufacturers to ensure your car modifications are safe without minimising impact. With hundreds of styles available in sizes and colours to suit the aesthetics of your vehicle – we’re sure you’ll find an option within our range that will turn heads.
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