Modified Cars Rules : Car modification is a sport for many Indian car owners and a way to showcase their individuality and style. These sporty alloy wheels and paint wraps, loud exhaust systems, and other body kits fitted to modified cars catch the attention of hundreds of onlookers on the roads.
But knowing the do’s and don’ts of car modification are far more important these days before embarking on any kind in 2025. And then, the automobile traffic laws in India have gone really tough, and a wrong move in customizing your car could cost you a fortune in terms of fines or demand your car’s seizure or cancellation of registration.
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Some modifications made to cars are perfectly legal. These include cosmetic changes such as the fitting of alloy wheels (in sizes approved by the RTO), modifications to infotainment systems, installing custom seat covers and floor mats, and even repainting the car in the same color listed in your RC; permitted vinyl wraps of that color on your existing paintwork may also be applied. In general, the installation of roof racks or small spoilers is also allowed, as these do not alter the structure of the vehicle or increase its height excessively.
Some changes are among those that are not permitted in India; they normally relate to body shell or structural changes: turning a hardtop into a cabriolet, lengthening a chassis, changing engines without permission, and fitting obnoxiously loud exhausts, to name just a few.
Another major no-no includes painting the car a different color and failing to update that information onto the RC. Such a modification is liable to land you in trouble with the law, and your vehicle could be deemed unlawful, fined, impounded, or even have its registration canceled. Structural modification is banned, as the Supreme Court declared; it is a violation of safety standards and the manufacturer’s specifications.
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Unsafe alterations, apart from being potentially illegal, can also compromise the performance of a car. Illegal engine tuning or oversized wheels could cause premature wearing out or misalignment. My insurance company would deny my claim in case of any mishap if my car is modified beyond factory specifications.
To legally alter your car, the modified parameters must be approved by the RTO so that all alterations may be reflected in your Registration Certificate. This makes your vehicle legal on the road and insurable.