Is it allowed to remove the third row of seats in a seven-seater car?
3 Answers
Seven-seater cars are not allowed to have their third row of seats removed, and unauthorized removal is a violation. Removing the rear seats of a seven-seater passenger vehicle constitutes unauthorized alteration of the vehicle's appearance and registered technical data. The traffic management department of the public security authority will order the vehicle to be restored to its original condition and may issue a warning or impose a fine of up to 500 yuan. If the removal is followed by an application for change registration with the registration authority, no penalty will be imposed. According to Article 10 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," registered motor vehicles must apply for change registration with the local vehicle management office under the following circumstances: 1. Changing the body color. 2. Replacing the engine. 3. Replacing the body or frame. 4. Replacing the entire vehicle due to quality issues. 5. Changing the use nature, such as converting a commercial vehicle to a non-commercial vehicle or vice versa. 6. The motor vehicle owner's residence moves out of or into the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office. Applications for change registration can be submitted to the local vehicle management office.
I've been driving a seven-seater for years, and removing the third row is something to consider carefully. Temporarily taking it out to haul large items is understandable, but keeping it removed long-term isn't advisable. Traffic police can fine you at least 200 yuan for illegal modifications if caught, and it'll fail the annual inspection since the vehicle registration clearly states a 7-person capacity. Removing seats alters the car's center of gravity, increasing rollover risk during sharp turns. More critically, it affects the airbag system - sensors under the seats may get damaged during removal, potentially disabling the airbags. If you truly need more space, consider switching to an MPV or five-seat SUV instead.
As a father of two, I often research the space issues of seven-seater cars. Removing the third-row seats is simple; it only takes about ten minutes to unscrew and take them out. In the short term, it does allow for more space to store strollers or luggage, but it has significant long-term impacts: first, the car's frame structure changes, and in the event of a collision, the rear loses its buffer, directly threatening the safety of second-row passengers; second, the exposed metal brackets under the removed seats can scratch cargo; third, insurance won't cover losses caused by modifications. In fact, many seven-seater cars have third-row seats that can be folded flat, a design that is more practical and safer.
