The aftermarket space or the car accessory market was huge, once upon a time in India. Over the last few years, two things have changed — vehicles got more equipment from the company itself and a new law was introduced banning modifications of any sort.
This has left many enthusiasts in a bit of confusion as to what’s actually legal now and what’s not in terms of accessories for cars. Let’s try to understand it better.
Car accessories — What’s allowed?
To understand what’s allowed, one needs to understand what the law says: “Modifications that impact safety, emissions, or structural integrity are prohibited without prior approval from the Regional Transport Office (RTO).” However, some call it a blanket ban, while cops are also effectively cracking down automobiles that seem anything out of how a stock vehicle should look like.
Some modifications that can be done legally include any OEM accessory sold by a carmaker or approved by them. A few other upgrades such as headlight bulbs, upping the tyre size, and an aftermarket spoiler, are about it. A suspension upgrade is legally allowed as long as anything mentioned above is not overly done. Some states let you get away with tinted glass, while some enforce these rules with an iron fist.
Car accessories — What’s not allowed?
The list is extremely long, ranging from auxiliary lights to bumpers, crash guards, and more. If the car catches the authorities’ eyes, there is an illegal accessory on the vehicle. Some states are against aftermarket alloy wheels as well, and instead of checking each accessory, a blanket ban on modifications makes the job easier for them.
The interior of the car can be personalised though, such as a custom music system and upgraded seats such as racing seats or other aftermarket ones that have better bolstering.
Car accessories — Do modern cars really need them?
The answer is no. Carmakers spend a lot of time in giving vehicles the right equipment, and with modern cars coming with better tyres, good headlights, and the interior loaded with gadgets, there is nothing extra that can make it special. That said, carmakers are also keen on what one adds outside the authorised dealership, so they can deny the warranty of a vehicle.
If there is a necessity to change, modify, or add an accessory, the best way to do it find out from the local RTO and get the needed clearance on paper. And if you do get permission, go for quality products from reputed brands as they undergo a lot of testing before being available in the market.
