Styling and the vehicle inspection in Belgium: what should you watch for?
Styling and performance parts also have to pass the vehicle inspection. We set out the general principles, the documents you need and why it is best to check type approval in advance. A general guide, not legal advice.
A front splitter, side skirts, a spoiler or a sports exhaust: if you modify your car, you want to keep driving it without worries. In Belgium every car has to go for a periodic inspection, and modifications with non original parts are assessed there too. In this article we set out the general principles, based on information from the Flemish government, Autoveiligheid and GOCA Vlaanderen. Important: this is a general guide. The rules can change, and the inspection centre always decides on your car.
The basic principles of tuning
The tuning rules apply to passenger cars in category M1. According to Autoveiligheid, these are some of the basic principles:
- The outside of the bodywork must not have pointed or sharp parts, nor protruding parts that could make injuries worse in a collision or on which other road users could get caught.
- The driver must have a clear view.
- The load bearing structure of the car must not be altered unless the manufacturer or its representative approves.
- For every part that requires validation or a fitting certificate, you must be able to present the approval certificate, the validation report or the manual.
Spoilers and splitters
Vlaanderen.be lists the conditions for fitting a spoiler. The material must have a high absorption rate, such as polyester, plastic or ABS. A boot spoiler may not rise above the highest point of the roof, roof and window spoilers may not be welded to the load bearing structure and a front spoiler may protrude no more than 5 cm beyond the bumper. When replacing or modifying a bumper, its functionality must be retained.
Be careful with carbon: GOCA Vlaanderen lists spoilers made from materials with a low absorption rate, such as aluminium, carbon and wood, among the modifications that are not allowed. If you are considering carbon styling parts, ask in advance how your inspection centre assesses them. The Maxton Design parts in our Styling Studio are made of ABS.
Exhausts
The rules for exhausts are stricter. According to vlaanderen.be, a replacement exhaust with e or E approval must among other things be approved, produce no more decibels than the original exhaust and allow a normal emissions test, with a validation procedure. A non original exhaust without that approval must also meet the noise and emissions test conditions and requires a validation procedure. GOCA Vlaanderen lists changing the outlet diameter of the original silencer among what is not allowed, as well as engine tuning.
So choose an exhaust for which the manufacturer states a type approval for your specific car, and keep the approval certificate. You can read more about exhausts and intake systems on our Performance and styling page.
Wheels, suspension and other modifications
According to vlaanderen.be, validation is required for items including lowering and wheels with adapters. GOCA Vlaanderen also lists a series of modifications that are not allowed, including air suspension with airride, wheel spacers, changes to the braking system or replacing brake callipers, tints and films on the windscreen and front side windows, and removing the third brake light. Check the full list with your inspection body before having anything modified.
Which documents do you need?
Depending on the part, the inspection asks for a different document:
- Approval certificate for parts with a European or UN approval (e or E approval).
- Validation report from an approval authority for certain parts without that approval.
- Fitting instructions from the manufacturer, for example for a roll cage.
If the manufacturer cannot provide a validation certificate, according to vlaanderen.be you can apply for one yourself from the Departement Mobiliteit en Openbare Werken. Always keep the invoice and product information for every part as well.
What happens at the inspection?
Report every new modification to the inspection centre, with all the necessary documents. According to vlaanderen.be, for parts with a European or UN approval your inspection certificate is valid for 3 months while the centre examines the modification. For parts without that approval, the certificate is normally valid if the modification is definitively approved, but only 15 days if it is definitively rejected. After the inspection you receive a tuning report listing all non original parts. Always keep that report with your inspection certificate.
Did your car fail? Read our article Failed the vehicle inspection: what now?
Brussels and Wallonia
In Belgium the vehicle inspection is a regional responsibility. The information in this article is based on sources for Flanders. If you live in Brussels or Wallonia, check the rules with the inspection body in your region.
Our approach at XCS
- We check fitment for your exact version in advance.
- For exhausts we only work with systems type approved by the manufacturer for your car, not with custom exhausts.
- You receive the invoice and product information so you can present them at the inspection.
We cannot give any guarantee about the inspection centre's decision; that always lies with the inspection itself. We are, however, happy to look at what makes sense for your car together with you.
Questions?
Build your styling package in the Styling Studio or explore the brands on Performance and styling. Unsure about a part? Book an appointment or email info@xcsautomotive.be.