The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has hit out at garages and vehicle owners who make aftermarket modifications which it says ‘could potentially have tragic consequences’.
The road safety charity has highlighted three areas of particular concern, which are the removal of diesel particulate filters, fitting xenon headlights, and reprogramming – or ‘chipping’ – vehicle electronic control units (ECU).
Diesel particulate filters have been known to be temperamental when used on van making frequent urban stops as they don’t run at optimal temperature during city driving, and some garages have been found to offer a removal service. However, this increases a vehicles CO2 emissions. Xenon headlamp conversions are also a popular tweak, but their design increases the risk of dazzling oncoming traffic, while reprogramming ECUs is also a potential hazard according to the charity.
“Diesel particulate filter removal has always been illegal, but since 1 January 2014 has also been reason to fail an MOT. Some garages are blatantly still doing it. In short – they are selling a service that’s killing people,” said Tim Shallcross, head of technical policy at the IAM. “This is disgraceful, but people are rarely prosecuted for this openly advertised service.”
Of Xenon headlight bulbs Mr Shallcross said: “Fitting this kind of lighting is illegal. Claiming ignorance of the law is no excuse; these lights which people choose because they look stylish could potentially have tragic consequences.”
Mr Shallcross also warned drivers against the perils of reprogramming ECUs. “No aftermarket warranty company will offer to cover a car that has been chipped. If you don’t tell you insurer it is likely to invalidate your policy,” said Mr Shallcross, “but if you do tell your insurer, he could refuse to cover your car at all, or could demand a hefty increase to your premium. Is it really worth it in the long run?”
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