Why you shouldn’t fit underglow to your car

UNDERGLOW is a vehicle modification that – when done properly – makes the car look like it’s floating along on a coloured patch of light. 

But as with any aftermarket car modification, there are lots of restrictions – and getting it wrong could land you with a big fine. 

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Is underglow on a car illegal?

There are no laws specifically prohibiting you from fitting neons or LEDs to the underside of your car.

But beyond that, the legality of fitting coloured lighting to your car can be surprisingly grey. 

There are strict rules on the types of light you can display on your vehicle, and where, most covered by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989. 

You can only display white or yellow headlights at the front of your car, and red tail lights at the rear – apart from indicators and reversing lights. 

And you shouldn’t display blue lights in any direction on your vehicle, in case you could be confused with an emergency vehicle. 

Displaying a red light at the front of your car or a white light at the rear could obviously be a bit confusing to drivers. 

And displaying blue lights of any sort could make your car resemble (loosely) an emergency vehicle, which is also against the rules. 

Green lights are officially used by doctors on call.

Consequently, any lights on your vehicle that are red, green, blue or white that can be seen from the front or rear put you at risk of a fixed penalty notice.

If this happens, you can either pay the small penalty or escalate the matter, leaving it for a court to decide whether you have broken the law.

How much does underglow cost?

Inexpensive underglow kits are available on Amazon and eBay for less than £100.

Other names for the equipment include “ground-effect lighting” and simply “neons”.

Most kits use more modern LED systems rather than 

Amateur mechanics should be able to fit these kits with ease using household supplies and components from the kits. 

More professional installations cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

Can you go through a car wash with underglow?

It’s not advisable to go through a car wash with car modifications unless the manufacturer and installer have okayed it. 

Read the box that the kit came in, or speak to the professional company that fitted it.

An under-car wash is particularly ill-advised if you have affixed a cheap kit from Amazon to your bodywork using cable ties.

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