When it comes to personalising your vehicle, there are countless ways to make it stand out on the road, and what better place to start than a Maxton Design styling kit. However, it's crucial to ensure that any modifications you make comply with local laws and regulations. Let’s delve into how you can make your car your own, without becoming a car styling criminal.

The Laws

The usual argument for car modifications being illegal is that they can pose a threat for the driver or others around them. For example, many neon lights that are too bright or flashy are illegal as they can act as a distraction for other drivers.

Another popular upgrade is exhaust systems, as everyone loves a roaring sound that pops and bangs. However, an exhaust cannot exceed the noise limit of 74 decibels, any aftermarket systems that breach this are classed as illegal. Under the Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA), all cars sold should be approved, meaning that they comply with safety regulations.

However, don’t worry, Maxton Design styling kits will not get you into any trouble! The only argument against body kits are if they threaten the safety of any surrounding pedestrians. Products from our Street Plus collection are manufactured via vacuum forming so the products have rounded edges, so the likelihood of injury when handling our styling parts is extremely low. When installed to the car, the products do not extrude excessively, meaning they are not a threat to nearby pedestrians.

Insurance

Any modifications you make to your car, no matter how slight, will have an impact on your insurance cost. The insurance provider may argue that boosting your car’s performance, adding aftermarket styling products, or any general changes can lead to a higher risk of accidents. They will also suggest that upgrading the car’s aesthetic can make the car more attractive for thieves, leading to a higher threat of your car being stolen. Therefore, a higher risk of anything happening to your vehicle will mean an inflated premium being quoted by insurance providers, as they would have to pay a higher value to replace or repair the vehicle.

Of course, many cars will already be insured once they visit us for a visual upgrade. You will need to inform your insurer about any changes made, even as small as a Spoiler Cap.

This may mean you have to pay a bit extra, however it is necessary for any future claims you may be required to make. If you are in an accident and you do need to file a claim, or someone else claims against you, and you have not informed your provider of any modifications, they may hold this against you and not provide compensation.

TUV Certificates

Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about those of you that are located outside of the UK. For those who reside in countries that require it, all Maxton Design products are TUV certified. TUV Austria are a renowned certification body that provide a wide range of certifications for products, systems and services. The certification signifies that our body kits have undergone thorough evaluation processes and have met specific standards set by the control body. Material quality, overall durability and product performance are just a few of the factors that were tested. Of course, the products passed with flying colours.

Professional Installation

This one’s not so much about the law, but we’re still trying to keep you out of trouble. We do strongly recommend having your parts fitted by qualified professionals, as no one wants their styling kits coming loose while on the move, let alone the remnants hitting another car and getting you into hot water. Feel free to check out our previous blog post covering our expert fitting service, or find a local Approved Fitter near you. 

In conclusion, styling your car can be an exciting endeavor, but it's important to do so whilst complying to local laws. If you are wanting to learn more, I’d highly recommend checking out George’s Car Media, or GCM for short’s YouTube and TikTok channels, where George works closely with the D&C Police to provide engaging yet educational content about the laws around anything automotive. We even supplied George with one of our styling kits so that he could explore and educate on the laws surrounding our industry, check out the video of them covering it here. Here at Maxton, we strongly advise researching and understanding regulations before purchasing aftermarket parts. Happy styling!