The homologation and certification of off-road vehicles or 4x4s is an important step if you want to make the most of this type of vehicle in non-conventional terrains.
Whether to ensure your 4x4 complies with all legal regulations or because you are thinking of customizing it to your needs, here we will explain quickly and easily everything you need to know for the online homologation and certification of your 4x4 modification.
In the process of homologating your 4x4, it is important to know the most common types of homologations for this vehicle. These cases vary widely and may include: homologation of new height if a body lift is installed or the suspension is modified; homologation of the snorkel to prevent water and dust from entering the engine intake, or homologation of the wheels if the diameter increases by more than 3%.
Besides, also exists the homologation of front protections, such as bumper guards and metal bumpers, which must comply with specific regulations according to the vehicle's registration date. Meanwhile, the side steps, as long as they do not exceed 3% of the vehicle's weight, only need to have rounded edges and a non-slip surface to be homologated.
When it comes to homologating the wheels of a 4x4, you must consider several aspects that may or may not influence the price of homologating your 4x4 tires. There are different types of tires for your off-road vehicle, from those designed for the road to those specific for very uneven terrains, such as mud and snow tires (M+S).
In most cases, if the new tires maintain the same diameter size as the original ones, it is not necessary to homologate them, which can save you the price of homologating 4x4 wheels.
If you're wondering how much it costs to homologate your 4x4 wheels... We tell you! At Certifix, we homologate your 4x4 wheels from 89€+VAT.
A change in your rims may imply a variation in track width, which must be homologated. Installing spacers on a 4x4 is a fairly common modification, as the track width of the off-road vehicle will be affected in 95% of cases. According to the vehicle's technical sheet, if the increase in track width exceeds 150 mm or the tire width exceeds 35%, a steering test is required. The prices for these tests range between 300 and 350 euros + VAT. At Certifix, as a Technical Service for Reforms, we can help you once you have the technical project and the steering test, at a price of 89€+VAT.
Homologating the side steps on your 4x4 is essential if you want to enjoy their advantages legally and safely, thus avoiding problems when passing the ITV.
These elements, placed under the doors, facilitate access to the vehicle and provide protection to the chassis against projections and dirt. They also help keep the interior of the vehicle clean.
There are various types of side steps, and to homologate them, you will only need a certificate from the workshop that installed them and, in some cases, a technical project.
If you have any questions, contact us at certifix@certifix.es or
register
and send us photos of the modification and the vehicle's technical data sheet so we can provide you with a better service.
The anti-underpass bar must be homologated as a result of other modifications that raise the vehicle above the ground. The rear part of the 4x4 cannot be more than 550 mm from the ground to prevent other vehicles from getting underneath in the event of a rear-end collision. If you install a body lift, raised suspension, or very large tires, you may need to install an anti-underpass bar.
The homologation of a 4x4 bull bar or guard on an off-road vehicle depends on its registration date.
For vehicles registered before May 2007, the bull bar does not require specific homologation for pedestrian or front protection, but its installation must be homologated. Requirements such as avoiding sharp edges and not obstructing lights or license plates must be met.
For vehicles registered after 2007, the guard must be homologated as a pedestrian protection element. Before this date, you can install custom-made guards with a technical project.
Do you need to homologate4x4?
Like the homologation of the bull bar, the homologation of the bumper varies depending on the vehicle's registration date. For vehicles registered before 2012, bumpers can be changed as long as they do not have protrusions or sharp surfaces. For vehicles registered after 2012, the registration date, category, and maximum admissible weight determine when pedestrian protection requirements apply*.
*Each case is unique, so we can provide free advice if you register here and ask your question.
Although the installation of side skirts is more common in cars, in 4x4s they are installed to protect the sides of the vehicle against contact with stones or in case an axle is in the air and the vehicle rests on the ground.
There are also side protectors that include a compressed air tank inside. This way, you can carry compressed air inside your side skirts and use it to restore tire pressure on the road without a compressor.
If the tires installed protrude from the bodywork of your 4x4, the installation of fender flares will be necessary, as it is essential that your tires are covered to ensure the safety of your vehicle.
The installation of an intake tube, commonly known as a snorkel in a 4x4, is one of the most common and simplest modifications in this type of vehicle. To homologate a 4x4 snorkel, you will need a workshop certificate confirming it has been correctly installed, photos, and documentation of the 4x4 vehicle. This modification does not require a technical project for its homologation.
Regarding the snorkel tube installation requirements, whether purchased or custom-made, it should not obstruct the driver's visibility and should be placed next to the vehicle's first pillar (A pillar). The snorkel tube must have a diameter equal to or larger than the original air intake, and its protrusions must be rounded to avoid sharp edges. Additionally, the vehicle's chassis should not be cut for installation, only the body panel.
The price for homologating a snorkel with Certifix is €89+VAT. Remember that if you make additional modifications besides the snorkel installation, the price may increase.
Modifying the suspension in a 4x4 aims to increase ground clearance and improve the ability to overcome obstacles. Depending on your vehicle's axle configuration, the gain might be minimal. If your vehicle has rigid axles, the best way to increase ground clearance is by installing larger-diameter tires, as lifting the body will not change the clearance between the axle and the ground. However, in vehicles with independent suspension on each wheel, it is possible to gain ground clearance by modifying the suspension.
The homologation and certification of the suspension in a 4x4 vehicle is a necessary process when modifying springs, shock absorbers, or leaf springs.
Whenever the suspension is modified, a technical project is required. If the height increase is more than 10cm in vehicles with ABS or 5cm in vehicles without ABS, a braking test is also required.
Winches are versatile tools used in various applications, from rescue vehicles to off-road outings and competitions. To comply with exterior protrusion regulations, they are usually placed behind the bumper to cover sharp edges. Additionally, a guide for the cable is installed on the outside of the bumper, which can be flat or roller-based, each with its advantages and considerations. The roller guide always needs a protective cover to meet the exterior protrusion requirements.
A technical project is essential for installing a winch, and if the vehicle was registered after 2012, pedestrian protection requirements must be considered before legalization.
The price for online homologation and certification of a 4x4 winch may vary depending on the project and the engineer. Leave us a query on our internal platform, and we will help you with your 4x4 winch.
If your 4x4 does not have factory-installed LED headlights and you wish to install them, you may need to homologate this modification. There are two types of LED headlights: those with homologation for specific functions, such as high or low beam, for off-road use.
Long-range 4x4 headlights must be installed in symmetrical pairs and must not interfere with the vehicle's original lights. Regulations vary depending on the vehicle's registration date, and the requirements for homologation include: a photo of the installed and original headlights, a photo of the European homologation number of the headlights, and the brand, reference, and European homologation number of all lighting elements involved in the modification.
LED bars used for high beam functions must meet specific installation requirements, maximum distances, and homologation marks to be considered legal. LED bars and work lights, designed for off-road use, generally do not have homologation and, therefore, only the mounts can be legalized through a technical project.
We leave you a small summary about the reforms and the online approval of your 4x4 vehicle, depending on whether you need a Technical Project, in which engineering must intervene, or whether you do not need a technical project and can go directly to a Technical Reform Service, such as Certifix, accredited by ENAC for its approval.
| Reform | Without Project | With Project |
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| Wheels |
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| Fins |
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| bumper |
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| Footpegs |
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| Defenses |
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| Heel pads |
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| underride bars |
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| led headlights |
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| Winch |
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| Suspension |
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| Snorkeling |
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Do you need to homologate4x4?
If you carry out an electrical or gas installation, you will also need a electric or gas bulletin prepared and signed by authorized installers.
Contact us, we will be happy to help you.
