In India, what type of car modification is illegal?

Car modification refers to altering a car's physical or mechanical aspects according to the customer’s tastes. It can include adding accessories to the body, painting a new color, or modifying the performanceby changing, enhancing, or eliminating different components. Aerodynamic, suspension, and engine enhancements are just a few of the alterations that can significantly alter your car's performance..

While most of these modifications are harmless and done for aesthetic purposes, some changes are illegal because they hinder the vehicle's functionality and make it challenging for other people to navigate on the road.

Before getting your car modified, you should make sure the people you are going to for the modifications are trustworthy and have a good reputation in the market. Make sure to ask them enough questions.

A list of some of the most common car modifications which might seem harmless, but are illegal in India.

DARK SUN FILM OR WINDOW TINTING

This is common knowledge. Even though it looks good, and people in other countries can do it, window tinting is illegal in India. However, you can have a film tint on your window, as long as it is 70 per cent transparent. While darker window tints are allowed on the sides, it is better to be safe and stick to 70 per cent.

Another reason for this is that it makes it harder for police to see who is inside the car, and it also increases the chances of accidents. It is a highly practical matter that raises serious safety concerns. Dark tinting is an illegal, high-risk practice that puts pedestrians and drivers equally in danger.

2. TURNING YOUR REGULAR CAR INTO A CONVERTIBLE

Yes, it looks good. Yes, people have been doing it in other countries. But legally, you are not allowed to cut the roof of your car. The top of the vehicle is essential, and it forms an important part of the substructure of the car. You are endangering both the safety of other people and the condition of your automobile if you attempt to build a sunroof on your own or get your car converted to a convertible. Why not just purchase a convertible with a sunroof?

3. ALTERING NUMBER PLATES

The number plates in India follow a specific set of rules. If you try to deviate from them, you will be heavily penalized. In addition, there are particular dimensions of the number plate that you have to adhere to, apart from placing the numbers and the colour of the plate.

The number plate should have a unique identification number lasered on it which can be used for identification, hot-stamped Ashok Chakra, which is chromium-based. The car identification number should follow the norms set by the Indian government. It also presents serious hazards to law enforcement and vehicle identification. Accurate representation and identification of cars is vital.

There is no scope for modification when it comes to number plates.

4. PRESSURE HORNS

What may seem like a silly and harmless modification can turn out to be harmful to people and the environment. For example, air horns contribute greatly to noise pollution, and they also cause people to lose focus on the road. It can cause permanent ear and physical damage to a personas hearing which is a very great price to pay just simply for a pressure horn. In addition, air horns tend to startle people and animals alike, so it has been made illegal by the Indian government.

5. MODIFYING YOUR HEADLIGHTS

You cannot swap the usual headlights and taillights in your car for colors of your choice. Headlights are important not just for navigating at night but also for the oncoming vehicles on the road. If they are too bright, they can blind the other person, momentarily causing accidents. On the other hand, if they are too dim or of an unnatural color, they will fail at doing their job, which is to help others spot your vehicle.

However, you can have neon lights as an additional accessory, given that you do not rely on them and have the standard headlights on when necessary.

6. ADDING BULL BARS AND CRASH GUARDS

Bullbars and crash guards are rods like structures placed against the bumper of a car. They are used to reduce the impact on the vehicle as they absorb most of it. However, in doing so, Crash guards and bullbars may aggravate collisions by redistributing impact energy. They also frequently compromise pedestrian safety and break vehicle safety regulations.

They can also hinder your sensors and create difficulty in parking. They also impact the sensory output of airbags, and they might not work when you need them to.

All in all, bull bars aren’t a practical and safe modification, to begin with, so even if they were legal, we would advise you against it.

7. LOUD EXHAUST PIPES OR SILENCERS

Exhaust pipes are located at the back part of the car. Their purpose is to help the high-pressure gas exit from the car. They are also commonly known as silencers in India. You cannot modify these because the ones already installed in your vehicle have catalytic converters - this helps regulate the number of emissions released in the air. It also helps control the overall sound levels (hence, silencers).

If you install other fancy pipes for aesthetic value, you will be compromising on many levels. You will contribute to more air and noise pollution. If your pipes cannot succeed in a Pollution Under Control (PUC) test, then you won’t be allowed to drive your car in India either.

And one of the biggest consumer damage is exhaust pipe modifications may interfere with engine performance and consumption of fuel, potentially creating a safety risk. Alteration may also hinder a lot with the warranty coverage.

8. TYRE MODIFICATIONS

Before getting extra-wide tyres for your car, make sure you know about the regulations. If your car is not adhering to the guidelines. After learning the allowed requirements, keep these guidelines in mind when you go tyre buying. Having a car is superior to giving it up to the police and having to pay an expensive fine out of your pocket only to appear trendy.

While car modifications are an art in itself, you have to be critical of your choices. When you own a vehicle, you are responsible for your safety and the well-being of other people on the road and the environment. If you want to add a touch to your car that will help it look more like “you,” you should consult car modifiers like Autobest that are trustworthy. They can help you know what kind of modifications are allowed and suitable. You can then have a car reflecting your personality and take it out for a drive anytime without harming your surroundings or making other people uncomfortable. Choose these modifications carefully which align with both your style and safety considerations,. this way it is so easy for you to enjoy a personalized driving experience without compromising on road safety.