Solution: Vehicle Modification Approval for passenger cars and light trucks

Vehicles in general

Vehicle modification approval in Austria

Vehicle modification means the modification of components deviating from the standard condition of a vehicle, such as changes to tyre combinations, chassis, add-on parts, etc., the use of which was not provided for in the approval document (COC document, type certificate or individual approval notice) for the vehicle type. In Austria this is called “Typisierung”.

General Requirements

In principle, every modification carried out on a vehicle must be approved (= typisiert) in accordance with §33 KFG (click here). This paragraph states that the modification must not lead to a deterioration in traffic and operational safety.
This proof can be provided in various ways – either by a release from the general importer (can only be provided if this condition also existed as an optional series condition) or by an expert opinion from a test centre.
These certificates can be either parts certificates (must be supplied by the parts manufacturer with the parts) or individual certificates (if no parts certificates are available or if components affecting each other are changed [lowering and wheel/tyre combination] an overall certificate). These individual certificates are issued for exactly your vehicle with the changes made and are therefore only valid for this one vehicle!

As soon as all corresponding expert opinions are available, the changes can be entered into the approval document by the Landesregierung (click here for an overview) (i.e. the entry into the approval document is not made by TÜV AUSTRIA).

Changes without the need for approval

§22a KDV (click here) lists all changes that do not have to be approved:

• Lights and reflectors with EC approval (E approval mark).
• Additional headlamps for main beam (provided the permissible index for luminous intensity, currently 100, is not exceeded, but no more than 2 pairs)
• Daytime running lights with EC approval (E approval mark)
  Trailer couplings with EC approval (E approval mark); however, a failure check for the trailer’s turn signals must be present.
• Silencers with EC approval (E-approval mark)
• Frontal protection systems (bull bars) with EC approval (E-approval mark)
• Alloy wheels with EC approval (E-approval mark)
• Window tinting films with an approval mark of an EU member state; sticking them on the windscreen is not permitted (not even sun visor strips!)

Chassis modifications of passenger cars and light trucks

Chassis modification

Any modification to the chassis, with the exception of replacing the standard shock absorbers with sports shock absorbers with the same functional dimensions, must be notified! The following points must be observed when modifying chassis or springs:

• Lowering must not result in a deterioration of traffic and operational safety (i.e. road contact with safety-relevant components must be excluded). The regulations on how this is to be assessed are decided by the VdTÜV (www.vdtuev.de) in Germany by experts in the field and are recognised as a set of rules in the German-speaking countries (thus also in Austria).
  The relevant points for lowering are defined in the VdTÜV information sheet 751: Up to 06/2006, a ground clearance of 110mm at the lowest fixed point or 80mm on shape-elastic parts is considered the relevant dimension for lowering. As of 08/2008 (and later), 80mm with the vehicle loaded to the maximum permissible axle loads is the current dimension (normally corresponds to a ground clearance of 95mm when empty). The status of the expert opinion can be found in the corresponding chassis expert opinion (parts expert opinion) under point V “Test principles”. If no explicit status of the data sheet is stated there, the date of preparation of the expert opinion must be after 08/2008.
• Furthermore, the vehicle must be listed in the area of application of the certificate, and attention must also be paid to the maximum permissible axle loads.
• The springs must not be subsequently modified (painted, chromed or otherwise treated).
• After lowering, the chassis geometry (wheel alignment) and the basic setting of the headlights must be checked and corrected if necessary. In modern vehicles, the basic setting of the assistance systems must also be recalibrated!

Further information on height-adjustable suspension

• In addition to conventional lowering springs, height-adjustable suspensions are also permitted. These may be designed as threaded or air suspensions.
• Especially in the case of threaded suspensions, sufficient distance to tyres and wheels and body parts (e.g. the lower spring plate to the tyre) must be ensured.
• The adjustment range of the suspension (either the distance from the spring plate to the housing bolts or the air pressure) according to the parts certificate must be observed.
• In the case of air suspensions, care must also be taken to ensure that the peripherals (especially the air reservoir and compressor) are permanently and securely installed – these must be firmly attached to the body; attachment to the boot plate alone is not sufficient. Furthermore, the chassis must move to the desired height at the latest when the driving gear is engaged, and adjustment while driving is not permitted.

Special attention must be paid to the following points for all chassis modifications

• Sufficient distance to body and chassis parts, e.g. drive shafts, wheels, tyres, frame heads, steering levers, track rods, track heads, wheel suspensions, anti-roll bars, brake lines, cables, etc.
• No additional (plugged) spring travel limiters may be used.
• The spring must be clearly guided over the entire spring travel and a play-free fit must be ensured with fully deflected axles.
• The spring must not have any contact with the bodywork during compression (especially applicable to air suspensions with double rolling lobe air springs)

Attachment parts

The following points must be observed when fitting add-on parts:

• Add-on parts without a vehicle-specific certificate are only permissible to a limited extent – however, it is virtually impossible to judge this permissibility in advance from photos. Therefore, our urgent advice is to check whether a parts certificate or an ABE is available before buying – a material certificate alone says nothing about the permissibility.
• There must not be any negative influences, e.g. inadmissible reduction of ground clearance, inadmissible covering of the headlights, or similar.
• Front and rear towing equipment must remain accessible and usable.
• A headlight cleaning system (if fitted) in the front bumper must not be removed.
• Attachments must be permanently and securely fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions; the manufacturer’s markings must not be removed during painting!

Air filter

• Replacement filter mats in the standard air filter box are generally exempt from registration.
• The registration of open sports air filters is only possible if a type-related parts certificate is available for the vehicle and if the complete exhaust system is in its original condition or in the condition described in the certificate.
• If required in the parts certificate, a noise insulation mat must be fitted to the bonnet.