Police warning Modified cars could be seized M
OTORISTS have been warned that if they modify their vehicle so it becomes unsafe it could be seized by police.
Avon and Somerset Police have shared a selection of images of offending vehicles and warn people face fines in a tweet this week.
They wrote: “All vehicles come with type approval, the safety standard for build specification. Do not modify your vehicle, as to make it unsafe. We will take the vehicle off the road and you will be fined. Protect vulnerable road users.”
According to the RAC, a car modification is classed as any change made to a vehicle that enhances it in some way and isn’t part of the original manufacturer’s specification. People mostly make modifications to cars to improve their aesthetics or performance.
A spokesman said: “The most common modifications made to cars include louder exhausts, tinted windows, neon lights, enhanced sound systems.
“We all know those ‘ boy racer’ cars with those souped up exhaust that cause a big racket.
“But this can actually land people a £50 fine.
“Some drivers soup up their exhausts to boost the sound of their car’s engine, but this can be a public nuisance.
“Most big-bore and sports exhausts are not legal on public roads in the UK due to their excessive noise levels and extra emissions.”
Drivers caught with an excessively noisy exhaust may receive an on-the-spot fine of £50, and could have their car taken off the road until the offending exhaust is removed.
Filters and turbos are permitted but the car must pass an MOT emission test.
Tinted windows are legal as long as they meet certain criteria – drivers could be breaking the law if they and go too dark or tint the wrong windows, reports the RAC.
They added there are no restrictions when it comes to tinting rear side windows and the rear windscreen, but limits apply to tinting the front side windows and front windscreen.
By law, the front windows have to let a minimum of 70 per cent light through, and a minimum of 75 per cent through the windscreen.
This is to ensure visibility isn’t obscured.