Are Wheel Spacers Legal?

To the question: are spacers legal? The answer would be 'yes', but on the condition that the vehicle, after their installation, complies with all technical and safety parameters set by the highway code and the vehicle's approvals. Installation without adhering to these rules is illegal and incurs penalties, the withdrawal of the registration document, and insurance issues in case of an accident.

The rules to follow are: art. 79 of the Highway Code: no part of the tyre (not even the tread) should protrude beyond the original wing or bodywork of the car. The measurement is taken from the outermost part of the tyre, not the rim. Spacers must be approved: look for the 'E' or 'TUV' marking; bolts and nuts must be new and of the correct length.

If too short, they may fail with disastrous consequences.

According to art. 72 of the Highway Code, any modification to the suspension (and spacers fall into this category) requires new approval or a conformity check by the MCTC; spacers increase the load on the hubs and wheel bearings, so it is necessary to frequently check the torque of the bolts.

If the vehicle is non-compliant, the registration document is withdrawn until the vehicle is returned to legal conditions; in case of an accident, the insurance may refuse to compensate for damages if it is determined that non-compliant spacers contributed to the vehicle malfunction.