‘Pop bang’ car firm fined: Prosecution brought against noise-boosting vehicle mods

A car modification company has been convicted and fined for ‘openly advertising and supplying illegal vehicle alterations which increased noise’ in what’s being called a ‘first of its kind’ case.

AET Motorsport Limited of Wakefield were convicted at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 13 for providing a ‘Pop and Bang Remap Software Upgrade’ for a customer’s vehicle, likely to be used on the road. 

The case was brought by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and it could have implications for the bike world.

“It is illegal to drive a vehicle on the road after the exhaust system has been altered to increase noise levels or adversely affect the emissions,” the DVSA’s Christopher Dormand said. “These modifications are anti-social, can damage public health and result in an MoT failure.” 

He continued: “This investigation shows DVSA takes this activity seriously and will continue to take strong action.”

The modification involves the removal of the vehicle’s catalytic converter and making software alterations which result in its exhaust making a ‘pop and bang’.

However, the court also heard that the removal of the cat and its replacement with a ‘delete pipe’ meant the vehicle would not pass an MoT emissions test and therefore could not be driven on the road.

The DVSA brought the case after becoming aware that AET Motorsport Ltd was openly advertising this service. To gather evidence, the agency booked a car in and measured its noise levels before and after the modifications were made.

These were deemed to be beyond those allowed by law and investigators said the company at no point warned the undercover customer that the vehicle would no longer pass an MoT and could not be driven legally on the road. 

The company pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered by the court to pay a £7234 fine, victim surcharge and court costs.