,

.jk

How old is the car (yes, it makes a difference!)

It was made in 1996 but it's a mk1 body with some subtle differences (mk2 grill and big bumpers) have a look at my newbie thread where there's a pic or 2
Thanks!

1996 - the wheels must be 20mm inwards of the bodywork, in addition to other geometrical measurements. Its nothing to do with "danger" and everything to do with the details laid down in type approval for spray suppression reasons, which would be used in a court of law, in a consideration of a breach of the construction and use laws which are referred to when deciding if you're driving a vehicle which has been modified to be more dangerous, which is in theory the offence which you could be done under. Complex - yes! Definite answer possible? No! It all depends on a court of law and the interpretation and applicability of laws, which would be argued over and decided upon in court. I don't think there's any test cases out there of people done for their wheels sticking out, though, so there's nothing to refer to except the regulations which are hideously complex!

Would the rules be different for an older golf,say an 82 ?

Basically, the above is based on type approval regulations which came into effect 1986. I don't know the intricate details of the type approval regulations in 1982 so I couldn't say what the requirements are……

Paul does that mean all newer cars after '96 wheels have to be 20mm inside the arches (or just on the citi golf are you on about). As im thinking of having wheels flush to the arches on my mk4 golf

so...wheel arch trims?

millfischk69 said

Paul does that mean all newer cars after '96 wheels have to be 20mm inside the arches (or just on the citi golf are you on about). As im thinking of having wheels flush to the arches on my mk4 golf

The date is 1986, not 1996, and YES* wheels need to be at least 20mm within the bodywork.



* Based on type approval regulations, which might/might not be deemed what makes a car dangerous or not, blah blah blah, in a court case, which has never happened, which would set a precedent, which might turn out different, etc.

my understanding on this is that your wheels can stick out further than the wheel arches, the only thing that is not alowed to stick out past the wheel arch is the the the tire tread, so thong as the tread stays within the wheel arch your wheel can be as wide as you like and its not a sharp object, thats why cars with wheels that stick out furfther than the arch and hav stretch tires on dont fail mot's as the tread is still with in the arch even tho the tire wall its self stick out, mot centers cant fail stretch tires as there is no law against it (im lead to believe) but  some garages hav been know not put it down as an advisory as thats all they can do, i'v never met anyone yet who's been pulled or produced with a ticket for having thier rims sticking out with stretch tires , it is a big debate as to if they are safe or not, some poeple claim theiran uncomfortable ride, some say they'v had bad experiences and there's a hole lot more people that hav never had any problems at all

stretched tires…….

The MoT isn't an absolute 100% check on whether your car meets Construction and Use requirements. In fact for a long time, and especially since computerisation, MoT testers can only fail cars on one of a specific list of "reasons for rejection". They've been told to pass & advise stuff which they might have previously failed. So don't fall into the trap of "has MoT = legal"!!!

yeah i know what ya saying fella, its just one of those "gray area's" again, i think when it comes to stretch tires it jus boils down to what area you live in, i.e heavily patrolled by traffic cops and a fav place for them to gain ticket sales (HAHA) if so they will no doubt pull you over eventually or you live in a non heavilly patrolled area where you dont get a high police precence through car crime etc and you'l be left alone, or  drive like an idoit and they'l pull you and find any reason to give you a ticket, drive sensibly and you wont attract attention and you'l be left alone, guess its just a gauntlet really

An MOT inspector only follows his rules on tyre tread and condition, not if they are stretched or not. A traffic copper could take exception to wheels past the arches and fine you, but the question is…………………………………………………………………………………Why? If you get wheels that fit in the first place, they won't stick out.
Not "scene" I know, but I like my cars to go around corners.
All IMHO of course.

Its a coin flip, but I reckon they're definitely illegal if they stick out. Unless its a tractor.

paul_c said

Its a coin flip, but I reckon they're definitely illegal if they stick out. Unless its a tractor.

 

Just put a spanner in the works, you can get your car MOT today and be ok however say tomorrow you get stopped by the police and the officer checks the car over and finds it to be in dangerous condition or anything that fails an MOT he can issue a Prohibition notice on the car which cancels the MOT and you won't be allowed to drive the car until it has been fixed, mot and Prohibition removed.

I.E you have window tints on the driver/passenger windows. the glass should allow 75% light though (same as windscreen) but the tint reduces this to 30% or less this would get you 3points £60 on your licence for dangerous condition.

jacob said

Just put a spanner in the works, you can get your car MOT today and be ok however say tomorrow you get stopped by the police and the officer checks the car over and finds it to be in dangerous condition or anything that fails an MOT he can issue a Prohibition notice on the car which cancels the MOT and you won't be allowed to drive the car until it has been fixed, mot and Prohibition removed.

I.E you have window tints on the driver/passenger windows. the glass should allow 75% light though (same as windscreen) but the tint reduces this to 30% or less this would get you 3points £60 on your licence for dangerous condition.

same for german look plates. mate of mine got 3points and a fine not that long ago.  then a year later they did him for the wheel poke on his 6n2 polo lol.

Jon.

The sensible thing to do would be to choose and do modifications which don't render the car illegal. There's plenty which can be done which doesn't involve messing around with number plates or stretch tyres or sticky-out wheels etc. Like, sensible power enhancements etc. Dodgy mods just drags Mk1 Golf down to the level of a  17 year old's 1.0 litre  Corsa, McDonalds car park special edition.

paul_c said

The sensible thing to do would be to choose and do modifications which don't render the car illegal. There's plenty which can be done which doesn't involve messing around with number plates or stretch tyres or sticky-out wheels etc. Like, sensible power enhancements etc. Dodgy mods just drags Mk1 Golf down to the level of a  17 year old's 1.0 litre  Corsa, McDonalds car park special edition.

could'nt agree more…..

thats what ill be doing when i eventually mod a mk1…..

standard looking from the outside…..

wow i know a few mates that have had fines for windows or number plates but didn't realise they could issue you points on your license for such things! On this note then is there something dodgy about my front number plate? i thought it was like this on every golf but mine seems more tucked way heres a photo where you can just see the edge of the plate…