Don’t Be Like Stormzy! These 7 Car Modifications are ILLEGAL in the UK
As Stormzy pleads guilty to driving a Lamborghini with illegally tinted windows, private plate supplier Regtransfers warns drivers to be aware of these illegal car modifications.
British rapper Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior, has pleaded guilty to driving a Lamborghini Urus with an illegal window tint.
The legal standard for window tint is that at least 70% of light be allowed through, but Stormzy’s ride was determined to let barely 4% through, posing a “danger of injury”.
Car modifications have become increasingly popular among enthusiasts and young drivers eager to personalise their vehicles, but some modifications may make your vehicle illegal to drive on UK roads. The UK government enforces tight laws to ensure that all vehicles are safe for both the driver and other road users. To help motorists stay on the right side of the law, here’s a list of seven car modifications that are illegal in the UK.
Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS)
Nitrous oxide injection systems, more commonly known as NOS, are designed to boost engine power. They’re popular in movies, video games and car racing culture, but are strictly illegal for road use in the UK. The increase in speed and power makes vehicles more difficult to handle on standard roads, posing a major risk to both the driver and other road users. The installation of such systems is strictly regulated, and vehicles equipped with NOS are prohibited from being operated on public roads.
Illegal Exhaust Systems
Exhaust system modifications are typically carried out to improve performance or produce a distinctive sound. However, there are legal limits to how much noise your exhaust can create, and exceeding these may result in an offence. What’s more, removing or bypassing the catalytic converter is also illegal, as doing so can contribute to environmental damage.
Underbody Neon Lights
Neon lights fitted under the car might have major aesthetic appeal for some, and while they’re not strictly illegal, their use is heavily restricted, and the lights must not be visible to other road users. There are several reasons for this, least of all the potential distraction they pose to other drivers. Beyond that, some colours like blue or red could be mistaken for emergency vehicle lights, causing confusion and potential accidents. Underbody neon lights can be used for shows or private events, but must be switched off on public roads.
Headlight Tinting
Tinted headlights reduce the amount of light emitted, which can impair visibility and make the vehicle less visible on the road. This increases the risk of accidents, especially in low-light conditions. In other cases, headlight tinting could dazzle other road users, which also increases the potential for accidents. Headlights must meet specific standards for colour, intensity and positioning, and an MOT will include checks for each of these areas.
Illegal Number Plates
Number plates in the UK must conform to strict standards regarding font, spacing, and reflectivity. Modifying number plates to include non-standard fonts, altering the spacing to spell out names or words, or using reflective materials that obscure the plate’s visibility is illegal. Changes like these can make it difficult for the police and automatic number plate recognition systems to read the plates. Non-compliance with number plate regulations can result in fines and MOT failures.
Excessively Loud Car Horns
Similar to exhaust modifications, changing your car horn to produce excessively loud or non-standard sounds, such as musical tones, is illegal. Car horns should only be used to alert other road users of your presence, and excessively loud horns can create unnecessary noise pollution and startle other drivers, potentially leading to accidents. Car horns are legally required to produce a continuous, uniform sound that is not disruptive.
Illegal Tyre Modifications
Your tyres are one of the most important parts of your vehicle, directly affecting safety and performance. Using tyres that do not meet safety standards, including those with insufficient tread depth, is illegal. The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres in the UK is 1.6mm. Modifications like studded tyres – designed for extreme winter conditions – are prohibited in non-winter conditions, as a result of the damage they can cause to road surfaces.
Commenting on these modifications, in light of Stormzy’s plea, Regtransfers CEO Mark Trimbee states:
“Personalising your vehicle can be a fun and rewarding activity, and making a car something you take pride in is a wonderful experience that we would highly recommend to anyone. With that being said, it’s important to make sure that any modifications you make comply with UK regulations. Illegal modifications not only put you at risk, but they also pose a risk to the safety of other road users and pedestrians. If you’re planning to make any changes to your car, it’s important not to miss the step of researching restrictions to make sure your car remains legal and safe. If you’re not sure, speak with local law enforcement to understand the best ways to modify your car whilst remaining on the right side of the law.”
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