Is it illegal to modify a car's exhaust?
2 Answers
Modifying a car's exhaust system is not allowed and is considered illegal. Below is a detailed introduction about modifying a car's exhaust system: 1. The car's exhaust system cannot be modified. Neither technical modifications nor aesthetic modifications (such as decorative tailpipes) are permitted. Generally, if caught, you will face fines, be ordered to restore the original condition, and have the modified parts confiscated. Severe cases that cause public disturbance (such as loud "pop and bang" noises) may involve administrative detention penalties. 2. The parts of a car that can be legally modified in China include: body color, rims, exterior decorations, car interior, bumpers, and lights.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I've seen many friends suffer big losses from modifying their exhaust systems. In China, unauthorized exhaust modifications are essentially illegal, primarily because they create excessive noise beyond legal standards—urban areas must not exceed 75 decibels. If the police measure the noise with a decibel meter and find it exceeds the limit, you'll face a fine of several hundred yuan and penalty points. Worse, modified exhausts often fail emissions tests, making it impossible to pass annual inspections, which can render the car unusable. A friend of mine modified his exhaust last year, and the loud noise woke up his neighbors. The police fined him 500 yuan and impounded his car for a day. Restoring it to its original state cost another 300 yuan—a total loss. Laws like the Road Traffic Safety Act emphasize that vehicles must retain their original design, and exhaust modifications also harm public peace and safety. If you want to look cool, I suggest only installing certified exhaust tips and avoiding reckless modifications to prevent serious trouble.
