No ‘Structural’ Change: SC Judgement Limits Modifications To Cars And Bikes From Original Specifications

The Supreme Court (SC), on Wednesday (9 January), ruled that modified cars and bikes whose specifications differ from those in the original registration certificate (RC) are illegal, reports Financial Express (FE).

"No vehicle can be altered so as to change original specification made by manufacturer. Such particulars cannot be altered which have been specified by the manufacturer for the purpose of entry in the certificate of registration,” noted the apex court.

According to the court, this judgement would “prohibit alteration of vehicles in any manner including change of tyres of higher capacity, keeping in view road safety and protection of the environment.”

‘Structural’ changes

The bench clarified that minor changes like painting the car or vehicle to a colour of the owner’s choice and minor installations as permitted under the Motor Vehicle Act would not be grounds for de-registration.

But structural changes to the body or chassis of the vehicle like replacing the engine of an old vehicle with a new engine of same make and capacity can lead to cancellation of RC. However, this can be prevented by taking appropriate permissions from the registering authority.

It should be emphasised that retro-fitting cars with compressed natural gas (CNG) kits would not be considered as ‘structural’ change as it was sanctioned under the law.

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