Car seized for mods.

[lkjohnson1950]

So in Britain you have to re register your car if you modify it? Talk about government intrusion.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115031390479/northumbria-police-seizes-vauxhall-corsa-for-being

[Alianora La Canta]

Such has been the case ever since I can remember. It's because the government got fed up of people either making their cars more dangerous or accidentally voiding their insurance (insurers won't pay out for modded cars unless they know what the mods were - and their definition extends as far as changing the colour of the paint job).

[Jericoke]

Such has been the case ever since I can remember. It's because the government got fed up of people either making their cars more dangerous or accidentally voiding their insurance (insurers won't pay out for modded cars unless they know what the mods were - and their definition extends as far as changing the colour of the paint job).

Well, I know part of the reason that cars have license plates is for identification.  You can't swap your plates onto a different car, so I can appreciate that if you change the outward appearance of your car, that has to be registered with the government

As for anything under the hood, I don't really see that as the government's business, but I suppose someone has to enforce that all modifications are legal.

My guess is these laws are only used when someone is posing a real danger, but haven't broken any serious laws yet.

[lkjohnson1950]

If they tried this in America (or at least Arizona) blood would be shed.

[Andy B]

As its the law in the UK that the vehicle has to be as registered with the insurance and DVLA and that modifications have to be legal and safe I cannot see any argument.

[Wizzo]

Surely in other countries if you change the engine of the original to a much larger one then you would have to inform your insurance company?

In the UK you have to inform your insurance company if you improve performance and/or if you significantly change 'the look' of the car.

Wiz

[Scott]

Insurance yes, but government no...in Canada.

Here in Switzerland I'm sure you have to ask permission before you do it...seems to be the way for everything.

[John S]

Insurance yes, but government no...in Canada.

Here in Switzerland I'm sure you have to ask permission before you do it...seems to be the way for everything.

Scott the car would be seized anyway in the UK for having no valid insurance.

The validity of insurance relies on you disclosing all salient facts, without the documentation to back the mods being approved as road legal, by the licencing authority(the government), no insurer would agree to cover being in place.

All uninsured cars on the roads are now seized by the police in the UK. You can get them back if cover is promptly put in place, still get hauled to court and fined/banned though.

- Oh and any car not claimed is crushed. 

 

[Scott]

I think receipts for work or parts would be enough for most insurers, but maybe in the UK the government prints the only paper recognized by insurers.

[lkjohnson1950]

The Irish have out stripped the Brits. Sorry Lads.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/115031490518/irish-police-seizes-18-bmws-after-these-were-registered

[John S]

I think receipts for work or parts would be enough for most insurers, but maybe in the UK the government prints the only paper recognized by insurers.

If you fit much larger engines into cars not originally supplied with such engines the official paperwork has to match for insurance legality purposes, and to meet road vehicle regulations.

In many cases modified vehicles will have to undergo type approval as if it's a different model and be re-registered. In some cases the cars will have to change registration plates to a Q plate.

Insurers certainly don't want young men driving around in mini hatchbacks on steroids, they are likely to ask for quite a few £K extra to insure such vehicles - if at all.
Now that's why these boy racers don't want to tell their insurers. 

[cosworth151]

Registration fees based on performance? That's insane!

If they tried this in America (or at least Arizona) blood would be shed.

If they tried it here in Appalachia, there would be full blown insurrection!

Surely in other countries if you change the engine of the original to a much larger one then you would have to inform your insurance company?

Nobody I know ever has.

My first car was a (very) used 1961 Falcon wagon. It had a 170 cid straight 6 with a 3 on the tree. I swapped it for a heavily tweaked 300 cube truck 6 with a Mustang 4 speed. I could honestly tell the insurance man that it was a 6 popper, manual shift Falcon. 

[Dare]

Even in America why take a chance.I'm sure insurance
companies would use anything to get out of paying a claim.

[Alianora La Canta]

I think receipts for work or parts would be enough for most insurers, but maybe in the UK the government prints the only paper recognized by insurers.

That is exactly the case.