Many motorists do not know the risks that can be encountered if one were to become the protagonist of some moves. In fact, the risk of having to pay unsustainable administrative fines is always around the corner. It is therefore important never to underestimate any detail and to always be in good standing every time you get behind the wheel of your car. Let’s find out which component of your car should never be tampered with or changed without previous homologation. The fine is very high.
There are some parts of your car that absolutely cannot be touched or changed in some details. In fact, some constructive modifications to the original characteristics of the car cannot be made at all. The risk is to run into one high fine, but not only. Indeed, a criminal complaint may also be triggered.
Each car has a registration document and a certificate of approval. These documents indicate all the technical aspects of your machine. Each agent can, in fact, ask you to show these indications. If irregularities are found, you can run into various problems from various points of view.
Article 78 of the Highway Code, in fact, the following thesis states: “Anyone who circulates with a vehicle to which changes have been made to the characteristics indicated in the homologation certificate is subject to an administrative fine ranging from a minimum of 419 euros to a maximum of 1,682 euros, as well as the withdrawal of the registration certificate”.
In this article we will talk about one element of your car that should never be touched or changed. Indeed, if you behave incorrectly, you risk suffering a fine that will make you regret the day you tampered with this part. What are we referring to? Here are all the details on this topic.
If you tamper with this element, you risk suffering a very heavy fine: here’s what you must never touch
The element we are going to talk about now is present on all cars powered by diesel engines. We refer to FAP, i.e. the particulate filter. This important element allows the exhaust gases to be completely purified, weighing, therefore, minimally on the environment as regards the emissions of polluting substances.
This filter always guarantees excellent engine performance and prevents the release of polluting emissions. This element has been standard equipment on all diesel cars since 2008.
In some cases, it needs to be regenerated and cleaned. In fact, it may happen that it is blocked and does not do its job to the fullest. This will be indicated by a warning light on the dashboard, which will inform you of the emissions problem. Proper maintenance of this element is the responsibility of the car owner.
Removing the particulate filter, without adequate replacement, or tampering with it differently from the original characteristics, can cause various problems for the car owner. It will be advisable to clean it correctly, according to the needs and the kilometers travelled.
How often to clean it? We cannot provide a universal datum. Much will depend on the individual model and the use of the car. On a modern car, often used on the motorway, you will need to clean the particulate filter approximately every 150,000 kilometres. The replacement of this element will have to be done by your garage and will cost around 5,000 euros.
Being ‘caught’ with a clogged, broken or tampered with particle filter can result in a road fine from 419 euros up to a maximum of 1,682 euros, as stated by the Highway Code, but not only.
In fact, one can run the risk of suffering – in the most serious cases – even a real one complaint for environmental pollution. In this case, you can go to fines from 10,000 to 100,000 euros, with the possibility of imprisonment of up to 6 years. Obviously, this only in really serious cases of criminal offense committed.
