Armageddon for modified car owners

[theseoldcars]

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.

Edited by theseoldcars on Tuesday 21st August 22:28

[theseoldcars]

LiamB said:

Wait what?..

So this puts an end to modifying completely?

Meaning all of us with PH sticker are (Apparently) illegal?

No, I think you'll still be able to modify you car but most likely it will then have to pass an IVA test.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSell...

Doable but hard (if not impossible) for some.

Please correct me if that's not the case though - sure there are people here who are better informed - it's been a long day.

(although inevitably they will try and put a stop to the whole modifying scene - make everything the same, much easier to govern)

Edited by theseoldcars on Tuesday 21st August 22:38

[theseoldcars]

xr287 said:

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.

I think you might be OK in that instance. For example, with regards to historics, the proposal states (paraphrasing a bit here):

"maintained by use of repro replacement parts / not sustained any change in the technical characteristics or appearance"

I suspect that you could probably get away with a stainless exhaust, that's similar to the OEM item, as being a "reproduction" part.

Lots of question marks and clarification needed though with this "proposal".

[theseoldcars]

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)

[theseoldcars]

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.

[theseoldcars]

There's another interesting point of note in this proposal documentation as well:

"6. Empowers the Commission to amend the Regulation as and when needed."

So, once passed, the regulations could be changed at will by the government without consultation.

That's not a good thing.