http://www.the-ace.org.uk/armageddon/#more-901

I've not read through it in great detail but it looks pretty heavy duty. Oh dear.

In short:

"We have unfortunately now been proved correct with a single item before the EC parliament that will prevent any modifying and will, currently, render already modified cars illegal."

This is bad too:

"... introduce a definition for a roadworthiness test that components of the vehicle must comply with characteristics at the time of first registration. This may prevent most modifications to vehicles without further approval of the vehicle. (this will apply to many components and to all types of vehicle)"

NEW definition of historic:

“(7) ‘vehicle of historic interest’ means any vehicle which fulfils all the following conditions :

• It was manufactured at least 30 years ago,
• It is maintained by use of replacement parts which reproduce the historic components of the vehicle;
• It has not sustained any change in the technical characteristics of its main components such as engine, brakes, steering or suspension and
• It has not been changed in its appearance;"

This comes into effect on 13 October. I think it'll be rolled into the MOT test.

Lots of question marks around it but definitely something that needs looking at. I'm sure there will be workarounds and it might eventually end up watered down but it sounds like it'll make things quite complicated and boring.

Another freedom down the toilet thanks to the control freak EU.

So if we put stickers on our cars we are breaking the law?

Define modified? I have a non standard £350 stainless steel exhaust because it would have cost 2 or 3 times that for a steel one from Renault that would rust away again.

This is ridiculous.
. It essentially renders as much as 15% of cars useless. If this goes down to alloy/exhaust/air filter level.Also in certain cars far more?How many skylines, type rs, 182s ,mr2s and silvias does this make ilegal? As much as 60% depending on model?
What about the 600hp + supras out there? Many will be uneconomical to make standard and be scrapped/confined to track.
This effectively devalues peoples property and renders many business bankrupt if true.

Here's the "proposal" itself: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/doc/roadworthiness-p...

For example: "(9) ‘roadworthiness test’ means a verification that the parts and components of a vehicle
comply with its safety and environmental characteristics in force at the time of
approval, first registration or entry into service, as well as at the time of retrofitting;"

"The Commission proposes to introduce a definition for a roadworthiness test that components of the vehicle must comply with characteristics at the time of first registration. This may prevent most modifications to vehicles without further approval of the vehicle. (this will apply to many components and to all types of vehicle)

The Commission proposes to change the definition of an Historic Vehicle that may be exempt from periodic testing. This may allow vehicles older than 30 years to be exempt from testing providing the vehicle has been maintained in its original condition, including its appearance."

(That is from here: http://tinyurl.com/cpw5lnj)

I'm just hoping that the vagueness of it all might make it easier to dodge around. Still an awful lot to be clarified here but it's certainly something that needs to be looked at now, especially if they're pushing it through soon, rather than just having it land on our doorsteps one morning.

That's a huge industry more or less wiped out, rolling roads will lose business, 60% of jap cars will be unroadworthy, parts manufacturers will cease trading, tuning shops bust, the whole aftermarket/modified parts industry will become more or less illegal, think of all the small racing teams that fund their cars through tuning and modifying, what a terrible blow to the economy.

I lost interest in modifying cars a long time ago (Can't afford it) but this is ridiculous, so many innocent people will be irreversibly damaged by this kind of legislation!

Think I need to look into this, I co-run my city's largest modified car club (over 1000 actual members) and this type of bullst is exactly what ruins people's lives, and livelihoods.

Our g'ment ought to be ashamed. Ironically, nothing I own is modified.

I would happily take part in a 'rolling protest' over this.

My 355 has an aftermarket exhaust and aftermarket wheels
My Evo - well, it aint anywhere near standard!
The G/F has a lowered beetle on BBS rims

I was about to buy a heavily modified LandCruiser.

Monstrously, ridiculously unfair.