Is Car Exterior Modification Legal?

[DiLuna]

Car exterior modification is legal. Here are the specific details about car exterior modification: Modification regulations: According to the motor vehicle registration regulations, changing the exterior color of a car is allowed, but modifying exterior accessories is not permitted. Modifications to the body, frame, or engine can only be done if they are damaged beyond repair or have quality issues. When applying for modifications, proof from a repair shop and documentation of the origin of the replaced engine, body, or frame must be provided. Exterior modification content: Exterior modifications mainly include stickers, body painting, headlight decorative panels, front and rear perspective mirrors, etc. Illegal modifications: Illegal exterior modifications include installing bulbs without lenses, modifying car logos, altering rims, adding large bumper wraps, installing spoilers, and certain suspension modifications.

[Betty]

I often chat with car enthusiasts about car modifications, and I've found that the legality of exterior modifications really depends on the specifics. Under Chinese law, changing the color is allowed, but you must first register the change with the vehicle management office. Otherwise, you might fail the annual inspection or even face a fine. Modifying wheel size isn't something you can do freely either—exceeding the manufacturer's original specifications is considered illegal. For example, switching from the original 18-inch wheels to 22-inch ones is not permitted. You need to be extra cautious with headlight modifications, as installing overly bright LEDs or changing the color can easily dazzle oncoming drivers and cause accidents. Lowering the chassis too much affects stability and can also result in legal penalties. Other modifications, like widebody kits or spoilers, if installed without approval, will likely lead to a fine of a few hundred yuan if caught by traffic police. In short, if you want to personalize your car with some modifications, it's best to check the guidelines on the vehicle management app beforehand and consult professional modification shops about the regulations—it's safer and saves trouble.

[CooperLee]

As a safety-conscious individual, I particularly emphasize that car exterior modifications must comply with regulations, otherwise they pose significant risks. Legal restrictions on modifications like changing the body color or adding body kits aim to prevent size alterations that could obstruct visibility and lead to accidents. Imagine this: raising the chassis too high or lowering it excessively makes the car prone to rollovers during turns; installing oversized rims with excessively wide wheelbases increases tire friction, causing loss of control; overly dazzling modified headlights can blind other drivers. Getting fined for illegal modifications is the least of your worries—insurance won’t cover accidents caused by them. A friend once failed their annual inspection due to exaggerated body decals, losing thousands. I believe safety outweighs personalization—always consult a mechanic before modifying to ensure dimensions and lighting meet standards. Simple adjustments, like legally registered color changes, are perfectly fine.

[SanRiver]

I modified the exterior of my own car and ended up getting fined by the traffic police. That time, I applied cool patterns to the car body but didn’t register the changes, which caused issues during the annual inspection and cost me a 500-yuan fine. Since then, I only make legal modifications, like changing the color after registration. A reminder to everyone: be careful with exterior modifications—wheel size changes shouldn’t exceed the factory limits, avoid altering headlight colors randomly, or your car might get towed if caught. Simple changes like replacing body kits are manageable after registration. If you’re on a tight budget, start with minor adjustments to avoid trouble. The law isn’t meant to restrict us but to protect everyone’s safety—check the DMV website before making any changes.