General DfT danger for Modified cars

[Bleeding Knuckles]

I note from the 'Classic cars' mag issue Jan 22 that the darlings at the DfT are up to their old tricks again. The Transport Regulatory Review will (Quote) Create new offences for tampering with a system, part or component of a vehicle intended or adapted to be used on the road (unquote)
This is obviously aimed at the folks modding cars and bypassing the emissions equipment - "Chipping may well be in this group". But, it does not take much to see that the scope of this legislation could well include the removal of the points and the fitting of an electronic ignition system for example, or the changing of an engine - where do you stop?????? Unfortunately the consultation closed on the 22nd of November so no time to get your objections in.
Ian.

 

[the hobbler]

I note from the 'Classic cars' mag issue Jan 22 that the darlings at the DfT are up to their old tricks again. The Transport Regulatory Review will (Quote) Create new offences for tampering with a system, part or component of a vehicle intended or adapted to be used on the road (unquote)
This is obviously aimed at the folks modding cars and bypassing the emissions equipment - "Chipping may well be in this group". But, it does not take much to see that the scope of this legislation could well include the removal of the points and the fitting of an electronic ignition system for example, or the changing of an engine - where do you stop?????? Unfortunately the consultation closed on the 22nd of November so no time to get your objections in.
Ian.

I think Ian, that a less draconian version of the PROPOSED ruling his come out. I will try and find a copy of it and set peoples mind to rest. From what I understood (reading the Mk 2 version), the main object of the excercise it to stop people basically creating a totally modern car in a "tax exempt" body shell--to wit, a Ford Anglia shell with a "tax exempt" chassis date but powered by a Ford Zetec engine with an ECU controlled fuel injection system, modern suspension etc, etc. To put it quite bluntly, these people are cheating the system----it was bound to happen, and it was obvious that the government was going to come up with a sledge-hammer to crack 'the nut'

 

[vexorg]

This does the rounds every few years.

 

[the hobbler]

This does the rounds every few years.

As promised, I have managed to get a back-copy of the 24th Nov edition (edition 1618) of 'Classic Car Weekly' which gives some more detail regarding the proposed new vehicle regulations. It would seem that the FBVHC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) has received a detailed response from the DFT (Department of Transport) saying that "it does not intend its proposals to affect restoration, repair or motor-sport preparation of older vehicles or the specialists involved in classic cars". It would seem that the consultation is about a DFT review regarding how new cars (including self-driving and speed-limited models) will use our roads. What the DFT is trying to do is regulate for future automated and autonomous vehicles and prevent holes in the law which would allow somebody to tamper with these future vehicles in a manner that would make them potentially lethal. That is how the consultation has been explained to the FBVHC----only time will tell, but at the moment, it would seem that our hobby is safe.

 

[Bleeding Knuckles]

As promised, I have managed to get a back-copy of the 24th Nov edition (edition 1618) of 'Classic Car Weekly' which gives some more detail regarding the proposed new vehicle regulations. It would seem that the FBVHC (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) has received a detailed response from the DFT (Department of Transport) saying that "it does not intend its proposals to affect restoration, repair or motor-sport preparation of older vehicles or the specialists involved in classic cars". It would seem that the consultation is about a DFT review regarding how new cars (including self-driving and speed-limited models) will use our roads. What the DFT is trying to do is regulate for future automated and autonomous vehicles and prevent holes in the law which would allow somebody to tamper with these future vehicles in a manner that would make them potentially lethal. That is how the consultation has been explained to the FBVHC----only time will tell, but at the moment, it would seem that our hobby is safe.

Thanks Tom, it's now a lot clearer

 

[vexorg]

The problem is that although they intend to aim at newer cars, some fool along the way will decide, "wont that be safer for all cars".

 

[Bigvtwin996]

I think as Tom has said they are just tightening up the Modifications and definitions of Classic cars, stopping the re-bodying of a Scobby with an Escort shell and claiming classic status, and whilst you can upgrade in terms of safety or put a different part in (read engine/box) if the original isn't available but a 3.6 Porsche engine in a VW beetle etc is really not a "close" replacement....
I have purchased a new Mini Runaround and chatting with a local guy who tunes the likes of Mclarens AMG mercs etc, he said he could re-map it to 30-40% more bhp without any modifications, He said the people doing work like he does it is undetectable as the stuff he does even produces the same checksum readings so your normal mechanic could not tell, they would either have to know how a std car drove and test drive the car or put it on a rolling road.... the only alternative would be to download the ECU and have someone run through the code....
How many times has that been done on an insurance claim?

As a result I have been reading about the locking of ECUs that will largely make DIY or small garage resetting of even mundane things such as service lights etc no longer possible.... that is coming apparently... one reason they are trying to stop DIY work on modern cars is the EV market...
spilling a bit of petrol over your hands is not the same as 50-100amps at 100v so yep they are thinking safety"..
It has always amazed me that you need to be Gas safe registered or suitably qualified or similar to work on Electrical stuff in the home (or have it inspected) but anyone can buy a set of tools from Halfords and fix your car.... yes I suspect that many classic owners are on a par or much better than some garage mechanics...

 

[vexorg]

yes I suspect that many classic owners are on a par or much better than some garage mechanics...

Some of us wouldn't let a garage touch our cars even if they paid us!!

But having been on car forums for many years, there are some real horror stories of people with no clue doing critical work, and for some reason (still a mystery to me) a whole forum will turn against you when you point out how dumb and unbelievably stupid some people are when it comes to working on a car.