What's the Law on Alloy Wheel Modification?

While some people like to keep their cars the way they came out of the factory, others like to enhance it. Today, there is a wealth of car modifications that can improve not just the looks but the performance of your car, and alloy wheels are one of the most popular for their simplicity.

The most common form of car modification in the UK by some margin, alloy wheel modifications and custom alloys are great because of the massive effect it has on the car’s appearance. Wheels are like the shoes of the car, and it’s common knowledge that when people look at other people’s outfits, they subliminally notice the shoes first. The biggest change you can make to a car’s appearance starts from the bottom, so alloy wheel mods are the way to go.

Alloy wheel modification is also the choice for most because of how easy it is when it comes to legal viability. But what exactly are the legal requirements around alloy wheels? How far can you take modification before it starts to become unsafe and illegal to drive? And how does insurance come into play once you change the offset of the car?

What Alloy Modifications Are Legal?

Custom alloy wheels are the most popular car modification and probably the easiest job to do. Alloys are perfectly legal to change, so long as they match the dimensions of your existing alloys.

The only issue that comes in is when considering the wheel offset. This is how far out of the rim the alloy is placed. If the offset is too big and protrudes out of the arch, this can break safety laws. A qualified mechanic will be able to give a custom alloy design with a noticeable offset that doesn’t break this limit.

Additionally, tyre stretching is another alloy-related modification that is subject to legal limits. This modification is about the fitting of the tyre compared to the alloy, and though some enjoy the stretched “European look” on their wheels, too much distance is deemed unsafe.

How to Ensure Your Modifications Comply with the Law

After understanding the UK law, the next step to ensure your car modifications comply is to consult a mechanic professional who specialises in vehicle modifications. They can provide valuable insights, and guidance, and ensure that your modifications comply with the law.

LK Performance’s experience team, housed in our state-of-the-art fitting centre, has all the capabilities to run any alloy wheel check on your car you need to ensure you’re driving legally. Contact us today and we can make arrangements to test, adjust or even add custom alloys to your car.

What Happens if You Don't Comply with the Law on Alloy Wheel Modification?

Modifying your alloy wheels without following the regulations set forth by the law can have legal consequences. A quality mechanic will not let you drive away with the modification anyway, but if you choose to do it yourself are found, there is a risk of a penalty, from fines to even having your vehicle confiscated until the changes are brought back into compliance.

As well as the authorities, insurance companies have strict policies regarding vehicle modifications that could void or deny insurance should you fail to inform your provider. We look at the specifics of how to handle vehicle modifications when it comes to insurance further in the article.

Most importantly, your car is far less safe to drive if the alloys are not correctly mounted. Not only do you put yourself and your passengers at risk but other road users, too, so in the event of an accident, you would likely be liable for damages.

Do You Have to Declare Alloy Wheel Modifications On Your Insurance?

Informing your insurance company of any changes made to your car is compulsory if you wish to keep your insurance valid. Since enhancing your car for vanity or performance purposes makes it more susceptible to theft, your insurance provider will want to know of any modifications you make. The best solution is to inform them as soon as possible, if not before the modification so they can give you an outline of how it could affect your insurance.

How Do Alloy Wheel Modifications Affect Your Insurance?

No matter how small the change is on your car, be prepared for your insurance provider to increase your premium. However, some modifications that look to increase the safety of your car can lower that premium in some cases, such as adding high-performance brakes. Custom alloy wheels would be tougher to convince insurance providers, so it will likely be an increase, so think carefully about the knock-on financial effect of adding new alloys to your pride and joy. 

If you’re looking for a quality and trusted supplier destination to guarantee long-lasting and well-fitted custom alloy wheels, LK Performance is the UK’s leading choice. We stock hundreds of types of quality alloy wheels from the finest aftermarket wheel-smiths in the world, from Momo and OZ to Riviera and Romac. It’s all there on our online store for your choosing.

Plus, our free online vehicle fitment checker checks into our database of over 30m vehicle records and will filter our store to just the rims that will fit your car. This makes searching for the perfect new sports alloys a whole lot easier. Browse online today, or come to our state-of-the-art fitting centre and we’ll be more than happy to fit your new custom alloys for you.