What is the Definition of Illegal Vehicle Modification?
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Illegal vehicle modification refers to altering a vehicle's appearance, power system, transmission system, or braking system beyond the limits permitted by national laws and manufacturer approvals, exceeding the original design load capacity and functionality. This includes replacing critical components. Article 16, Item 1 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China stipulates that no entity or individual may assemble motor vehicles or arbitrarily modify the registered structure, construction, or features of a motor vehicle. Without approval from the public security traffic management department, any unauthorized modifications to the vehicle's chassis, engine, suspension, transmission system, steering system, tires and rims, lights, body color painting, or exterior structure, as well as any technical data that does not match the data announced by the State Council's motor vehicle product authority, are considered illegal modifications. According to Article 10 of the Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles (Order No. 124 of the Ministry of Public Security), if a registered motor vehicle undergoes any of the following changes, the owner must apply for modification registration at the local vehicle management office: Changing the body color; replacing the engine; replacing the body or frame; replacing the entire vehicle due to quality issues; changing the use nature (e.g., converting a commercial vehicle to non-commercial use or vice versa); or relocating the owner's residence into or out of the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office.