Is it illegal to convert a seven-seater to a four-seater?

[VanEliza]

Removing seats to convert a seven-seater into a four-seater will result in fines and an order to restore the vehicle to its original condition. The Road Traffic Law clearly stipulates: No unit or individual may assemble motor vehicles or alter the registered structure, construction, or features of a motor vehicle without authorization. Relevant information about vehicle modifications is as follows: 1. Regulations: According to the motor vehicle registration regulations, any changes to the body color, model, performance, purpose, or structure of a licensed motor vehicle, including replacing the frame, body, or engine, must be reported to the vehicle management office for modification registration. 2. Benefits of wheel hub modification: Installing a good set of wheel hubs can improve heat dissipation and achieve lightweight goals, providing high visual impact both statically and dynamically, while also enhancing the vehicle's handling performance. Increasing the diameter and width of the wheel hubs and reducing the flatness can overall improve the tire's grip.

[StParker]

I've been repairing cars for nearly twenty years and have seen plenty of seat modifications. Some car owners think converting a seven-seater to a four-seater can create more storage space, but this kind of modification carries high legal risks. The seats and seatbelts are designed to match the original factory specifications—if you remove or alter them without proper reinforcement, people can be thrown out and injured during sudden braking. The airbag positions also become misaligned, rendering them ineffective in a collision. During the annual inspection, if the vehicle administration finds the seat count doesn’t match, the car will fail immediately. If caught by traffic police, you’ll face a fine of several hundred yuan plus penalty points. Don’t even count on insurance coverage—if an accident happens, you’ll be held fully liable. If you really want to go through with it, find a certified modification shop to handle the paperwork and approvals. Don’t cut corners and invite trouble.

[Naomi]

Our family drives a seven-seater MPV with two kids. We recently considered converting it to four seats to make room for toys. But upon careful consideration, the safety risks are terrifying. Child safety seats rely on the original factory design—modifying the seats would cause seat belts and backrests to mismatch, risking ejection during sharp turns. Legally, the vehicle is registered as a seven-seater, and unauthorized modifications would violate traffic laws, leading to fines and credit impacts. Insurance policies explicitly exclude coverage for accidents involving illegal modifications, and our tight budget can't handle such financial blows. It’s wiser to sell the old car and switch to a four-seater or buy a used one—safety comes first.

[AlexanderFitz]

Hey, what's the point of modifying it to four seats? The factory specifications are set in stone, and if it's registered as a seven-seater, changing it to four is definitely illegal. If the traffic cameras catch a big difference during a check, you might get points deducted and fined. My buddy tried modifying just a simple seat and failed the annual inspection, then had to spend more money to restore it. If you're short on space, just buy storage boxes or remove other decorations—don't mess with the seats. The vehicle inspection records follow you around, so it's better to play it safe.