This dropped into my newsfeed today.

It says it that there are plans to regulate changes/modifications to motor vehicles.

I must admit I haven't read the actual government paper yet but the news article says that you have until 22nd Nov to reply.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/driv...d=msedgntp

government/consultations/future-of-transport-regulatory-review-modernising-vehicle-standards
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultation...-standards FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

This is an obvious move as cars become more complex and "intelligent". It will no doubt eventually target people who have their cars chipped or modified in any way. As an example my wife's Suzuki needed a replacement windscreen and it required the car to be taken to a workshop to get the ADAS system re calibrated. The days of DIY maintenance are numbered and we will be in the hands of the dealers or you won't be able to get insurance. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Will be interesting what they call a modification, i.e. hard wiring a dashcam? Additional acoustic insulation? Chucking out the can of tyre spray & fitting a full size spare? Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

The good old days of enjoying motoring are now long gone

It's been like that in other (EU) countries for years. I can only quite in France, but for example, years ago my Suzuki samurai was failed at CT ( MOT ) time because the back seats had been removed, so the vehicle was not as it left the factory. Not withstanding that the seats were ment to be removed with 4 wingnuts. The seatbelts were still in place and worked. You don't see any (legal ) modified bikes either, although there is no MOT requirement for them at the moment ( although this is being debated at present )!

It looks like it will be mainly looking at future vehicles and how
they can be enmeshed into our society for use on the roads, ie.
environmentally, the safety aspect and control under law,
this would undoubtedly mean another amendment to the road Traffic Act of 1988,
And yes Modifications (Tampering) will be considered and implemented into said act.
Probably the end of the car ownership many of us have enjoyed through our life time.( No Modifying)  DAVE.

I think the answer should lie in the direction of making the log book/record more complete.

Perhaps it should be expanded to include the original Record of Conformity (TOPIX?) and then a log of every Service, Repair (including proof of parts suitability), and Software change.

On change of ownership this, and the vehicle, could be checked by an independent engineer.

I don't think this is an overkill as cars have evolved in my lifetime to be faster, heavier, and much, much more complicated, and my life depends on it all working as it should. Don't forget most cars now interfere with your driving inputs.

I do wonder how we will train the future maintainers to this higher level of skills, if we do not then we, the customers will pay for changing out of complicated components, as they struggle to understand, and negate, the error codes. FL2 XS SD4 Auto 2010 2012-2017 (21k - 91k miles) (MY2011)
FL2 Metropolis SD4 Auto 2014 2017- (16k - 77k+ miles) (MY2015)
Metro in its 11th Year of (Extended) LR Warranty / Full LR Service History
(Expensive, but Trouble/Worry free - hopefully?)

The problem isn't always the law, it's the enforcers interpretation of the law.

A law that is intended to stop DPF cheat devices being installed might say non-standard parts are not to be used, but someone may interpret it to mean you can no longer use Brembo brake pads as they weren't the original equipment supplier.

Define tampering - cheap Chinese oxygen sensor may effect emissions, but how do you prove that it wasn't the intended use?

Don't forget you are guilty until you can prove otherwise. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

A friend of mine has a Jaguar XF and wanted (for some reason) to have his calipers removed and painted red. He mentioned it to the insurance company and they increased his premium. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

looks nicer than standard = looks nicer to thieves = more likely to be stolen = increased premium

That's the thought process Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

I bought the car new from a main stealer and had side steps fitted. Looking around for insurance, one company asked if the car was exactly as it left the factory. It had genuine Land Rover side steps fitted at the dealer as part of the order for the car. The insurance company decided that genuine Land Rover accessories fitted by Land Rover trained mechanics at a Land Rover main stealer meant that the car was non-standard and quoted about £1,500. Unsurprisingly I stuck with LV at about £200.


J