Is It Legal to Modify the Appearance of an Old Model to Look Like a New One?
2 Answers
Modifying the appearance of an old car to resemble a new model is legal as long as it is registered and documented with the vehicle management office. If not registered, it is considered illegal. Additional relevant information is as follows: Spraying or Stickers: Spraying or pasting logos or advertisements on a vehicle that affect safe driving may result in a warning or fine from the traffic management department of the public security authority. Color Change: Changing the vehicle's color, replacing the engine, body, or frame without timely registration changes may result in a warning or fine from the traffic management department of the public security authority. Installation of Devices: Failure to install side and rear lower protective devices or reflective stickers on trucks and trailers as required may result in a warning or fine from the traffic management department of the public security authority.
It depends on the specific modifications. Strictly speaking, vehicle appearance cannot be arbitrarily changed to newer models according to regulations, especially modifications to bumpers and headlights which are prone to violations. I have a friend who was stopped by traffic police for installing a newer model grille and had to revert to the original parts. Minor changes like swapping wheels or adding decals are usually fine. The key is whether your modifications can pass the vehicle registration office's approval, particularly if the overall body lines are significantly altered - mismatched vehicle identification numbers during annual inspections can cause trouble. If you really prefer the newer appearance, I suggest first checking if there are any approved modification options in your local vehicle registration office's catalog.
