Long story short, got pulled by the police tonight and given a £30 fine for "failure to maintain exhaust silencer - non-standard exhaust".

Copper reckoned my exhaust was blowing which made it louder, and an exhaust louder than standard is illegal. Now, as far as i'm aware, thats not true...can anyone confirm? Also he said that "any modification to a vehicle that is not a direct replacement of standard is illegal." Examples he gave are - incorrect size tires, bigger wheels, and window tints... Can anyone confirm this also?

Not too bothered about it now, but the 3 main things that annoyed me are:

1 - £30 towards Beccles Police Christmas Ball

2 - The copper called my car a bloody Golf!!!

3 - I spent about 2 hours washing and polishing it today, and the copper put his greasy fingerprints on it when trying to close the boot. (They wanted to look in the boot to see if i was smuggling immigrants across town i guess...and also wanted to look in the engine bay to see if i had a bloody ferrari engine in there maybe...??!)

C*nts

"any modification to a vehicle that is not a direct replacement of standard is illegal."

I'd have said "so why are you allowed to decorate your cars in bright colours and put blue flashing lights everywhere?"

I would no way pay that mate.

He's talking shit.

What a crock of crap - You got a VERY sore copper on your route today, the bloke must've been a hell of a self-righteous jobsworth to slap you with that.

It's alright if you're doing your job, but this guy took it too far.

Challenge it.

Well, i'm going to see my mate at the garage tomorrow to see if it is blowing at all, and if it isn't, i'll ask him to put it in writing, then i'm going to go to the police station , tell them the story and say the garage says its not blowing so stick it up your ring....(maybe not that choice of words...)

Can anyone think of any better ideas?

Also, anyone know what will happen if i just don't pay the fine? Will they arrest me and rape me?

Cheers.

Edited 18 April, 200818 yr by Wiggy

i cant see the problem aslong as it isnt stupidly loud and wider tyres would make it safer hence no problem and how come wen my exhaust came off a few months ago with the exhaust hangin off at the engine that the copper behind didnt turn a blind eye to it

Well, if it was an ordinary copper, then he probably wouldn't know what was up, but if it was a traffic cop, they would be more likely to pull you.

Also, cops where i live (Beccles) have nothing better to do, so they just hassle motorists.

i have the now some jap crap shitvic with a big exhaust and i got a on the spot fine of 30 quid... went to the police station next day acted like a dumb fuk by sayin i didnt realise there was a problem etc. got a copper to come check it and said sorry i dint realise it was so loud.. didnt have to cough up :)

just go back to police station with the motive of acting dumb and NERVOUS (also try get a female cop)... works every time (once)

i have the now some jap crap shitvic with a big exhaust and i got a on the spot fine of 30 quid... went to the police station next day acted like a dumb fuk by sayin i didnt realise there was a problem etc. got a copper to come check it and said sorry i dint realise it was so loud.. didnt have to cough up :)

just go back to police station with the motive of acting dumb and NERVOUS (also try get a female cop)... works every time (once)

I see. I might try that then. I'm deffo going to the garage first though, as its hanging a bit low in the middle, so i'll try get that sorted first, then see what happens at the cop shop.

Anyone know what will happen if i just don't pay the fine? The police claimed i'd be taken to court, but he probably lied again...

Long story short, got pulled by the police tonight and given a £30 fine for "failure to maintain exhaust silencer - non-standard exhaust".

Copper reckoned my exhaust was blowing which made it louder, and an exhaust louder than standard is illegal. Now, as far as i'm aware, thats not true...can anyone confirm? Also he said that "any modification to a vehicle that is not a direct replacement of standard is illegal." Examples he gave are - incorrect size tires, bigger wheels, and window tints... Can anyone confirm this also?

He is quite right I *think*. You aren't allowed to modify an exhaust...although fitting a new replacement system is fine. Incorrect tyre sizes that put your speedo out can cause an issue to I think...the same would apply to wheels. Window tints can also be illegal if too dark.

Don't "just not pay it" - thats like putting your head in the sand, you will go to court for that (Look at the ticket)

Do what you said, get a garage to write down on headed paper that there is nothing wrong with it and produce that at the pig station BEFORE the date on the ticket.

Seems like he was talking a load of shite mate, half of them aint got a clue :p

Martin.

Don't "just not pay it" - thats like putting your head in the sand, you will go to court for that (Look at the ticket)

Do what you said, get a garage to write down on headed paper that there is nothing wrong with it and produce that at the pig station BEFORE the date on the ticket.

I've read the ticket a few times to see if it mentions court and it just says if it's not paid in time then it'll go up to £45.

Really Really anal Jobsworth. Technically if you even deviate from your manufacturers recomended tyre manufacturer it can be classed as a modifcation. Taking the aerial stem off is a modification. And i'll jus bet that no-one has told their insurance they've put a bee-sting aerial on.

Really Really anal Jobsworth. Technically if you even deviate from your manufacturers recomended tyre manufacturer it can be classed as a modifcation. Taking the aerial stem off is a modification. And i'll jus bet that no-one has told their insurance they've put a bee-sting aerial on.

Aye, i suppose that true, but what i don't get is why bother trying to enforce such a silly law. It means stopping every car that is on the roads...It just annoys me that they said my exhaust was "very loud" yet this town is full of saxos (it really is...) with dustbins hanging off their rear bumpers that you can hear from miles away. Mine sounds like a spider shouting compared to those.......

Also he said that "any modification to a vehicle that is not a direct replacement of standard is illegal." Examples he gave are - incorrect size tires, bigger wheels, and window tints... Can anyone confirm this also?

Sorry but thats this biggest load of bullshit i've ever heard, how can all these Companies that sell items to modify your car that if once you put it on/in your car it will render it illegal and not fit for road use. I've driven right passed Police several times sine i bought my Polo and they've never pulled me for my exhaust being too loud or my alloys being the incorrect size from what the manufacturer's put on. Sounds like the guy was just trying to rack up his convictions and kiss his bosse's ass

Also he said that "any modification to a vehicle that is not a direct replacement of standard is illegal." Examples he gave are - incorrect size tires, bigger wheels, and window tints... Can anyone confirm this also?

Sorry but thats this biggest load of bullshit i've ever heard, how can all these Companies that sell items to modify your car that if once you put it on/in your car it will render it illegal and not fit for road use. I've driven right passed Police several times sine i bought my Polo and they've never pulled me for my exhaust being too loud or my alloys being the incorrect size from what the manufacturer's put on. Sounds like the guy was just trying to rack up his convictions and kiss his bosse's ass

Yup, thats my theory. He did have a sly grin on his face when he said a louder than standard exhaust is illegal - the sort of grin that said to me "mua ha ha poor boy racer believes me!!" which is why i questioned him about it.

Anyway, went to the garage today and was pretty much told that because it is custom it could be classed as illegal, but he also said that if it declard to my I/C then it's fine...

So the new plan is take it in on monday, get it properly looked at, get a note saying its fine, take that to the police station and see what happens....

From PistonHeads...similar thread...

Basically there is no legislation in the UK that sets a max noise limit for production cars. There is for motorbikes, and for kit cars and specials (they are tested in the SVA test), but not for production cars.

It is an offence under Construction & Use (I think it is) to modify the exhaust so that it is noisier than "standard". It is not an offence for the exhaust to be noisy if that is how the car was made.

so if i say chopped the silencer off my current system and bolted on a cherry bomb muffler would that be illegal too, haven't had any hassle yet?

From PistonHeads...similar thread...

Basically there is no legislation in the UK that sets a max noise limit for production cars. There is for motorbikes, and for kit cars and specials (they are tested in the SVA test), but not for production cars.

It is an offence under Construction & Use (I think it is) to modify the exhaust so that it is noisier than "standard". It is not an offence for the exhaust to be noisy if that is how the car was made.

Whts the deal with having an aftermarket or performance exhaust, surely if it was illegal ther wouldnt be so many powerflow places all over the shop

A power flow doesn't modify an exhaust to make it louder...it replaces or repairs it....

what an absolute bellend. taken too far i think.

And he cleary wasnt talkign sense. We all know u cana lter wheels, engines etc as logn as its ensured.

He probably meant it like that but failed to say it so thats his bad.

Appeal against it mate...no harm in trying!

A power flow doesn't modify an exhaust to make it louder...it replaces or repairs it....

they replace it with a new one, does this not make it after market. i was just thinkin about this making more noise therefore a fine. ???

SHOULD HAVE ASKED HIM TO USE HIS DECABEL READER.... :) Oh look he doesnt have one on him!

OMG typical cuntish police ! dont now shite, could'nt tell his arse hole from his ear hole..

testify it.