Is It Legal to Change The Badge of a Car?

devildoge100 on 03/01/2021 - 17:17

Hi,

Is it legal to change the badge of a car such as replacing the badge on a Toyota 86 with a Subaru BRZ badge - just an example?

If a cop was to run plates behind me and see the licence plate belongs to an 86 but my car has a Subaru BRZ badge can I get pulled over and get the plates seized or even arrested for it since they might think the plates are stolen since I changed the badge?

If I were unfortunate to get into an accident will I have a difficult time dealing with insurance because of the modification?

Many Thanks :D

Automotive

Comments

  • brendanm on 03/01/2021 - 17:25
    +221

    It's getting to the point where I can't tell if people are trolling.

  • wombok2 on 03/01/2021 - 17:36
    +83

    Need to ask the Chevy badge owners

    • Scrooge McDuck on 04/01/2021 - 05:43
      +21

      Each performance badge adds 10 hp.

      I knew a guy with an RS M FPV Type-R HSV Evo AMG GTR GTi Trophy STi TRD Daewoo Matiz. It had over 2,000 hp at the wheels and ran 3 second quarters!!

    • Franc-T on 05/01/2021 - 00:42

      Its like an undercover disabled sticker

  • holdenmg on 03/01/2021 - 17:39
    +1

    Possible Hit and Run Rear End Accident?
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/575489

    Maybe camoflage is what you are after…

  • Baysew on 03/01/2021 - 17:42
    +43

    Of course it's illegal. Why do you think GMH had to leave Australia?

  • spackbace on 03/01/2021 - 17:43
    +5

    šŸ˜‚

    • MessyG on 05/01/2021 - 20:54

      Underrated reply. +1

  • squidz on 03/01/2021 - 17:44
    +26

    imagine someone goes to cop n report on a ferrari hatchback…

  • plmko on 03/01/2021 - 17:46
    +9

    Just buy a BRZ if you want the badge.

  • Hybroid on 03/01/2021 - 17:49
    +52

    Beyond just being pathetic, yes it's legal. You can even remove them completely.

    People that don't know about cars won't care.
    People that do will laugh at you as they'll know it's not a BRZ

    Same applies for AMG/M-badge wannabe cars.

    • bmerigan on 03/01/2021 - 22:21
      -1

      All this! So much.

    • newjerseydamo on 04/01/2021 - 11:18
      +4

      Except the BRZ and 86 are the exact same car.
      Toyota has a stake in Subaru. They collaborated on it and released it under their own banners.

      But it is pathetic. Why change the badge when they are the same car.

      • macrocephalic on 04/01/2021 - 11:23

        Subaru was only allowed to sell 20% as many as Toyota IIRC. So a Subaru has rarety factor. Otherwise it means nothing.

      • spaceflight on 04/01/2021 - 16:13

        Except the BRZ and 86 are the exact same car.

        They are not the exact same car, they are very similar however there are differences.

        Both the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ have the same fundamental two-door body style, but with slightly unique styling elements that set them apart. These include exclusive front bumper bars, different LED driving lights and tail lights and each cars has their own alloy wheel designs.
        https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/should-i-buy-aā€¦

        • newjerseydamo on 04/01/2021 - 18:33
          +11

          But same engines, running gear, and chassis.
          Cosmetics mean nothing, including changing the badges.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2021 - 11:21
      +1

      Manufacturers are doing this too. My mum has a run of the mill X3 3.0i, which has little M badges on the wings and I'm pretty sure has M accents in the interior too. It's ridiculous.

      • greatlamp on 04/01/2021 - 12:33
        +3

        It manufacturers want to devalue their own brand, who are we to argue.

        • Mitch889 on 05/01/2021 - 12:59

          Pretty sure they gain a lot more out of it than they lose. AMG Line Mercs and M Sport Bimmers sell a lot more than AMGs and Ms.

          • ass3ts on 05/01/2021 - 16:01

            @Mitch889: Merc's AMG Line, BMW M Sport, Audi S Line - all 'factory-endorsed' wannabes, and yes they do make more money from those than the actual high-performance models. A lot of owners say it with the Line or Sport word left out.

    • cannedhams on 04/01/2021 - 13:48
      +2

      OTOH, its completely illegal to have an Alpine sticker on your boot unless you actually have an Alpine amp in the car. The police will throw you in the watch house straight away.

      • spackbace on 04/01/2021 - 14:24
        +6

        Boot? Doesn't it go on the shopping list down the front doors, with the K&N sticker that came with the new panel filter?

  • Ughhh on 03/01/2021 - 17:50
    +46

    Why sabaru? Go big or go home, maybe a Samsung or Fisher & Paykel?

    • eggboi on 04/01/2021 - 10:46
      +2

      Huawei

    • Ridiculous Panda on 04/01/2021 - 11:02
      +3

      Actually that would be funny.. Iā€™m considering it now.

    • Peck on 04/01/2021 - 11:42
      +2

      Aldi ?

    • toddwas on 05/01/2021 - 00:38
      +2

      Samsung do make cars in Korea.

    • Loopenip on 06/01/2021 - 00:39

      Fisher-Price

      • khomeini on 06/01/2021 - 01:36

        Remind me to take off my Smeg toaster badge and place on appropriate vehicular transport. Or better still buy Smeg badges for all my white goods and showcase to the peasants my European appliances.

  • Euphemistic on 03/01/2021 - 17:53
    +13

    If a cop can be bothered pulling you over they are going to check the VIN against the rego plates. Theyā€™ve got better things to do than check if your carpet matches your drapes.

    • Seraphin7 on 03/01/2021 - 18:42
      +3

      Theyā€™ve got better things to do than check if your carpet matches your drapes.

      I often found this to be a very worthwhile use of time.

    • AdosHouse on 03/01/2021 - 19:01
      +1

      No carpet, simple.

      • Nugs on 03/01/2021 - 19:47
        +1

        Weight reduction
        .

      • bne87 on 04/01/2021 - 10:43
        +1

        The old wax job, hey.

  • iNeed2Pee on 03/01/2021 - 17:58
    +12

    I think you should put a SsangYong badge on it imo.

    • eggboi on 04/01/2021 - 10:47
      +3

      Great Wall or Tata are pretty snazzy too

    • Forfiet on 04/01/2021 - 23:57
      +3

      LADAAAAAA! Comrade!

      • Nobby47 on 06/01/2021 - 22:14

        HAVAL

  • nomoneynoproblems on 03/01/2021 - 18:00
    +18

    I put AMG and M badges on my Camry, real head turner.

    • montorola on 03/01/2021 - 18:39

      Must be a hit with the ladies lol

    • CocaKoala on 04/01/2021 - 10:14
      +14

      But the Camry's 2.5L engine is too big already. It's huge really - just ask the other bloke who owns a 23 years old BMW looking for a new cheap hatch.

      • khomeini on 05/01/2021 - 11:26
        +1

        Ignores the dogs barking whilst casually strolling past….

  • pharkurnell on 03/01/2021 - 18:07
    +2

    Is this a serious question?

    • devildoge100 on 03/01/2021 - 18:10
      +1

      Yes actually is a serious question. I may have seen some cars with different badges but I didn't know whether if legal or not. Even if many people do it it doesn't mean its legal

      • Stevek1960 on 04/01/2021 - 10:11
        +8

        Changing a badge doesn't change the car build, just makes you look like a knobjockey

      • DangerNoodle on 04/01/2021 - 19:24

        its perfectly legal. you see a lot of holden's with chevy badges. its nowhere near as douchey as people retrofitting HIDs or LEDs to a reflector housing and blinding everyone in their path.

        if the police are concerned about your car, they can always pull your over and check your vin/engine number against the vin/engine number tied to the rego plates - at least they can do this in SA, i can't speak for other states.

        Plus back in the day, holden were doing the same thing. In the late 80s/early 90s they weren't doing well financially and ended up striking deals with suzuki and toyota so they could rebadge some suzuki swifts as holden barinas and some toyota corollas as holden novas.

        • yokel on 05/01/2021 - 08:53
          +1

          This is wrong. It was Federal Government that put badge swapping in place to transition the local car industry to lower levels of protection.
          https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Button_car_plan

        • Hangryuman on 05/01/2021 - 11:08

          last I looked I thought small 'Holdens' were now rebadged Kias … ??

        • Euphemistic on 06/01/2021 - 08:17

          Not just Holden. Ford rebadged Mazda and Nissan for a lot of years. Plgform sharing is still big business, though currently they tend to redesign a few panels not just out stickers on it.

  • kevkay on 03/01/2021 - 18:14
    +11

    Just play it safe and de-badge your car so you're invisible to the cops.

  • Kangal on 03/01/2021 - 18:19

    If it's illegal, imagine how big the fine would be for someone who has "sticker bomb"

  • bobbified on 03/01/2021 - 18:32

    I don't think there's any rules about the badging. The closest rule I know of has to do with notifying the registry if you change the colour of the car.

  • Muzeeb on 03/01/2021 - 18:51

    Wasn't fishing line invented to debadge cars?

  • Brick Tamland on 03/01/2021 - 19:01
    +1

    Yes the illegal badge will be impounded on the spot.

  • GoldenDragon888 on 03/01/2021 - 19:21
    +4

    Is this to get the cheaper price for changing brake pads at Subaru?

    • Baysew on 04/01/2021 - 06:17
      +1

      Or spark plugs - Subaru won't service my Toyota 86

      $1800 at Toyota and they do it for $900

      • GoldenDragon888 on 04/01/2021 - 06:55

        Thatā€™s the one I was thinking about.

      • newjerseydamo on 04/01/2021 - 11:18

        Do it yourself?

        • macrocephalic on 04/01/2021 - 11:25

          You have to hoist the engine out of a BRZ/GT86 to change the spark plugs. Not sure what they were thinking with that design.

          • newjerseydamo on 05/01/2021 - 12:24

            @macrocephalic: Don't have to hoist it, can jack it:
            https://youtu.be/-cfw5l8DNcQ

            But yes, have to raise the engine a bit.
            I realise not everyone has the tools to do it either, just depends on your setup at home and what you're prepared to do to your car.

  • SF3 on 03/01/2021 - 19:24

    Go on, do it and report back to OzB šŸ˜

    Drive below 4k rpm and test your IQ skillz when you get pulled over.

  • Willco88 on 03/01/2021 - 19:59

    Seen STI badges on a clapped out 90 liberty bahahaha

    • DangerNoodle on 04/01/2021 - 19:26
      +1

      imagine the awkward conversation with the family. 'Guess what? I finally got an STI!'

  • Bid Sniper on 03/01/2021 - 20:10
    +11

    Holden been selling Daewoos as Holden for years…

  • Archi on 03/01/2021 - 20:42

    why do you care whether it is legal or not? what others do wont affect you,

    are you thinking of doing this yourself? as you haven't indicated such, unless your example of 86 to BRZ is in fact what you are intending to do

    • devildoge100 on 03/01/2021 - 20:57

      Yes, I am intending to change the badge on my car

      • Archi on 03/01/2021 - 21:01

        from 86 to BRZ

      • slknv on 03/01/2021 - 21:02
        +16

        With such a major modification planned, make sure you get an automotive engineer to sign off and provide you with a certificate. Then when you go to Stage Two modifications (racing stripes and stickers for performance parts you don't have) you'll need to return to your automotive engineer for another approval.

      • spackbace on 03/01/2021 - 21:13
        +4

        Don't.

        Anyone who knows cars, laughs at those sorta people

        I get the whole "it's my car and I'll mod it for me" but changing badges has never been a tasteful mod.

        Debadging, on the other hand…

        • TightBungholio on 23/02/2021 - 07:44
          +1

          Debadging is for real (profanity) same as changing, you think we donā€™t know you donā€™t have an amg?

      • bmerigan on 03/01/2021 - 22:24

        Why?
        Anyone who cares knows it's the same car.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2021 - 11:22
          +4

          Unless its a C200 AMG

  • cille745 on 03/01/2021 - 21:04
    +1

    Is it funny that I already knew what car it was after reading the title?

    OP don't do it, just don't

  • Diverse on 03/01/2021 - 21:09
    +1

    I think the Toyota badge looks nicer than the Subaru one on an 86.

  • onetwothreefour on 03/01/2021 - 21:11
    +8

    On my 6th birthday I wore a badge that said "7 today!"

    • elgrande on 03/01/2021 - 21:31
      +7

      Happy birthday for yesterday..

  • holdenmg on 04/01/2021 - 00:33
    +2

    Holden Cruze with another Badge is still Lipstick on a Pig.

    • Emerald Owl on 04/01/2021 - 23:30
      +1

      After about how many kā€™s do they become a pig?

  • 2enjoy on 04/01/2021 - 07:43
    +1

    have some decorum, donā€™t rebadge.. just debadge.

  • MontyMacaw on 04/01/2021 - 08:33

    Only of you have a ridiculous flame job to go with it. THAT DESERVES A TICKET!

  • singingwolf on 04/01/2021 - 09:31
    +3

    I once saw a Holden Astra with an Opel badge

    • MontyMacaw on 04/01/2021 - 17:52
      +1

      I have seen apples with HOLDEN badges. Crazy huh?

      • singingwolf on 04/01/2021 - 18:32
        +1

        Very

      • spackbace on 04/01/2021 - 18:38
        +3

        Funny, I thought they were lemons…

    • OzzyOzbourne on 04/01/2021 - 15:00

      Yeah, same as changing your clothes is like trying to deceive someone

  • Waltervp on 04/01/2021 - 10:17

    I like the idea!! I easily got off a parking fine once when the notice had the wrong rego (an F instead of an E) and described my stationwagon as a hatch. I like to try it when the notice says Ferrari Testarossa…

  • solidussnake on 04/01/2021 - 10:46
    -4

    Why replace the badge ? they're a terrible car and most have stupidly loud fart cannons attached

  • b0rnwithabeard on 04/01/2021 - 11:05
    +9

    i put a ferrari badge on my honda civic and i was arrested immediately and now am doing 20 years at Long Bay.

    Iā€™m messaging this using a Samsung Galaxy Note that I smuggled in using my ā€œprison walletā€.

  • goraygo on 04/01/2021 - 11:45
    +1

    I personally don't think so but have no quote on the laws.

    I used to own a Nissan 200SX, a lot of people in the car club just change the model to Silvia and replace the Nissan badge with a JDM lighting badge.

    They got into all sorts of troubles like speedings, u-turns, etc and police never really catch them on their badge modifications.

    • khomeini on 05/01/2021 - 11:29
      +1

      Lol… Former Silvia owner. Yep, the sweaty hands when they're go near the bonnet and look at the engine bay instead of the badges.

      • goraygo on 05/01/2021 - 13:46

        LOL!!! Yeah, modifications!!! I have been tailed by police many many times and none of the times they opened my bonnet… phew… :D

  • bongom on 04/01/2021 - 12:03

    Reminded me of the Toyota Lexcen?
    https://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/holdens-other-neardeath-ā€¦

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