Which Car Modifications Are Allowed?
3 Answers
The following modifications are permitted: 1. Color Change: Changing the color is the most intuitive modification. Nowadays, you only need to register the new color with the vehicle management office within 10 days after the change. However, remember that fire engine red, engineering rescue yellow, and the white-over-blue color scheme for national administrative law enforcement are exclusive to state use. Ordinary private vehicles cannot be modified with these colors. 2. Exterior Decals: Generally, small decals on the rear of the car do not require registration. Body wraps and films are also considered legal modifications. However, if the vehicle's paint, stickers, or body advertisements exceed 30% of the surface area, it crosses the safety limit and must be approved by the relevant authorities. 3. Installation of Front and Rear Bumpers: Small and micro passenger vehicles can install front and rear bumpers without needing to register the change. For cargo vehicles, adding windshields, toolboxes, spare tire racks, etc., is also within the legal scope. However, care must be taken not to obstruct the license plate or affect driving. 4. Interior Modifications: Interior modifications generally do not affect the vehicle itself and do not require review or registration. Moreover, interior modifications are diverse, and adding features like a navigation system or rearview radar is also within the permitted range.
I recently installed a roof rack on my own car, which is legal as long as the height does not exceed 30 cm and is registered in advance. Adding a bicycle rack of appropriate size at the rear also does not affect the annual inspection. Last week, I registered the modified LED headlights, which are allowed as long as the color temperature is below 6000K. Also, wheel modifications that do not change the size are very popular now, but the tire specifications must not exceed the original factory parameters. Special attention should be paid to car wraps, ensuring they do not exceed 30%. My neighbor was fined for changing the entire car color without registration. Actually, modifications like replacing seats with leather interiors or installing dash cams do not require registration. Audio system modifications are fine as long as structural components are not removed. The most worthwhile modification is the braking system, as upgrading to high-quality brake pads from reputable brands can actually enhance safety.
Based on five years of modification experience, the allowable range is actually quite broad. For exterior modifications, you can change to wheels of the same size (avoid significant deviation in ET value), and wraps should not exceed 30% of the body. For performance parts, it's best to retain the original height when replacing shock absorbers—my friend lowered the car with shorter springs, which reduced ground clearance and damaged the suspension. Modifying the exhaust system is acceptable if limited to the rear section, but removing the catalytic converter is illegal. The safest modifications are interior upgrades: wrapping the steering wheel in Alcantara, adding ventilated/heated seats, or installing a wireless phone charging module. Currently popular legal modifications include streaming media rearview mirrors, power tailgates (non-cut versions), and OEM-compatible CarPlay modules. However, be cautious with ECU tuning—last year, a fellow enthusiast had their license revoked due to exceeding legal power limits.
