Modding restrictions

[Ant1981]

Taken from http://www.the-ace.org.uk/stricter-mot-test-from-2012.html

'Currently we do not have a list of illegal engine tuning parts in this country but the EC is looking at restrictions across the board, particularly as OEM are pressing against tuning of their ECU software, maintaining that it is their property, regardless of the vehicles sale.'

What do we think about this? Is there a real reason for restricitons, or is it simply another way of trying to control people?

Do you think the ECU and its software is owned by OEM after they've sold it to you? Consider that any modification is for your own use, it's not the modifying and distributing of their software.

If it's software specific, consider that there are no restrictions on people modifying licenced software that they own for their own use.

I don't recall any OEM giving me licence numbers and certificates on any software in a car with imposed restrictions, so I can't see how this can be justified.

[dazzawest1987]

Can't see them stopping you from tuning/ chipping your ecu, I imagine from reading that cars that are affected by the tax emission laws that they'll tighten up on those cars and the tuning to them but if the emmisions are within the tolerated range your all sweet.

[benvictors]

My mate owns a garage and he told me about all the new restrictions that are meant to be coming into force, mainly about exhausts, as he had to fail mine for being too loud  At the moment its kind of at the garage discretion, a case of 'Is it louder than oem?' If you think it is then FAIL 
However, in the next 18 months to 2 years, apparently they are bringing in decibel readers for exhausts  anything louder than OEM on a chart  FAIL 
Yet another jobs worth arsehole making up stupid fecking rules cos he has nothing better to do 

[JC]

  Gotta love running standard - All new scene for 2013 . 

[GrandMstRamRod]

are they trying to put exhaust manufactures out of business!

[JC]

next up, insurance companies linked to MOT failure sheets 

that way they can see your non declared modifications therefore invalidating your insurance 

 

[Dan_GTi8v]

My mate owns a garage and he told me about all the new restrictions that are meant to be coming into force, mainly about exhausts, as he had to fail mine for being too loud  At the moment its kind of at the garage discretion, a case of 'Is it louder than oem?' If you think it is then FAIL 
However, in the next 18 months to 2 years, apparently they are bringing in decibel readers for exhausts  anything louder than OEM on a chart  FAIL 
Yet another jobs worth arsehole making up stupid fecking rules cos he has nothing better to do 

is that at idle or when booting it?

[benvictors]

They check it 3k revs i think he said

[Chris-White]

If it's software specific, consider that there are no restrictions on people modifying licenced software that they own for their own use.

I don't recall any OEM giving me licence numbers and certificates on any software in a car with imposed restrictions, so I can't see how this can be justified.

ah, but its not YOU modfying the software, its a tuner who has accessed the software, modified it, and is now selling it to customers on a commercial basis.

[Khare]

This is stupid. Why should there be a ban on exhausts? Why should there be a ban on software tuning? So long as it's not F1 loud and so long as the software is not dangerous then what's the big deal?

Looks like places like Rtech, exhaust shops and people running stuff like megasquirt are going to have to sell up...