Is lowering the car body height illegal?
2 Answers
Lowering the car body height, also known as modifying to a low stance, is illegal and will not pass the annual inspection. To pass the inspection, the car must first be restored to its original condition. If the modification is purely for appearance, the downside is that the designed suspension geometry is disrupted, altering the stress on suspension components, which may lead to easier wear and the generation of abnormal noises. Additional information: Below are some key points to note for the annual car inspection: 1. Vehicle exterior: A dirty vehicle can affect the inspection of the exterior and chassis parts. 2. Triangular window tinting: The front side windows' triangular corner areas must not be tinted, as this area needs to maintain good light transmission to aid the driver in observing the side mirrors. 3. Insurance validity: The inspection time often coincides with the insurance expiration date. 4. Tire size: Replacement tires must be exactly the same size and model as the original ones; otherwise, even if the wheel rim style remains unchanged, a change in tire model will result in inspection failure. 5. Traffic violations: Any outstanding traffic violations must be cleared in time.
I previously modified my car by lowering the body a bit, but it failed the annual inspection. A traffic police friend told me this is indeed illegal because national regulations state that altering the vehicle height beyond a certain range counts as illegal modification. Specifically, the original factory design undergoes safety tests, and arbitrarily changing the height can alter the vehicle's center of gravity, making it prone to rollovers during turns and increasing braking distance. I deeply regret it and had to spend money to restore it to its original state. Now, whenever I see car enthusiasts wanting to lower their cars, I advise them to first check the local vehicle management regulations. Some places allow registered modifications, but only with qualified parts.
