What are the regulations for car modifications?
3 Answers
Specific regulations for car modifications are as follows: 1. Prohibited modifications: Modifications that affect vehicle safety, such as the braking system, power system, and suspension system, are not allowed. In case of a serious accident causing irreparable damage, re-registration and approval with the vehicle management office are required. 2. Modification restrictions: According to laws and regulations, the vehicle model, engine model, and frame number cannot be modified, and the body structure must not be altered. Vehicles that change color, replace the engine, body, or frame must undergo inspection. For replacing the engine, body, or frame, a valid motor vehicle safety technical inspection certificate must be submitted. Additionally, the area of car stickers must not exceed 30% of the total body area.
Car modifications can't be done casually, as the state regulates them quite strictly. You can change the body color but must register it with authorities. Wheel rim sizes must remain the same as the factory specifications - no upsizing allowed. If you secretly modify the suspension to lower the chassis, traffic police will issue penalty points and fines upon discovery. The most critical restrictions involve the engine and exhaust systems - unauthorized turbocharger modifications or loud "street-racing" exhausts will definitely fail annual inspections. My neighbor installed a cool-looking spoiler last year, only to be pulled over and ordered to restore it to stock, wasting thousands. Interior modifications are relatively more lenient, as long as you don't remove seats to install sleeping berths.
The biggest concern with modifications is safety. I've seen cases where people installed substandard brake discs and ended up rear-ending others. National regulations stipulate that no modifications should compromise vehicle safety performance. For example, excessively enlarging the steering wheel size to the point of affecting steering responsiveness is strictly prohibited. Lighting modifications are particularly prone to violations—installing glaring blue lights or strobe lights can result in severe fines. It's advisable to consult the 'Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations' before starting any modifications. Have a professional modification shop draft a blueprint plan and submit it to the vehicle management office for approval, to avoid failing the annual inspection later and having to dismantle the modifications.
