“Everyone knows that horrible sound.”

UK officials have stepped up their campaign against illegal exhaust modifications, issuing hefty fines and setting a new legal precedent aimed at curbing the noise of polluting vehicles.

according to Car magazinethe latest case focuses on so-called “pop and pop” exhaust systems. These are engine tuning modifications designed to produce explosive sounds that have become a frequent source of complaints in residential neighborhoods.

This ruling follows enforcement actions taken by it UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agencywhich obtained an indictment against a car tuning company for illegal remapping of the exhaust and engine control module.

The shop was fined nearly £5,800 ($7,790) after investigators found the modified car exceeded legal noise limits and failed basic roadworthiness standards.

The justices ruled that modification companies now bear a “heavy burden” to ensure vehicles modified for off-road use are not driven on public streets. This means that cars that are made illegal due to exhaust or emissions changes must leave the shop on a trailer and cannot be driven home.

While the noise these engines make is annoying, that’s not the only reason for this ruling. Excessive exhaust noise often goes hand in hand with increased air pollution, especially when catalytic converters or mufflers are removed.

British Roads Minister Jay Opperman said: “Everyone knows that awful sound when exhaust pipes explode in the streets, and the clampdown on companies that fit these amendments shows our commitment to ensuring that Britain’s roads remain among the safest in the world.” He said After the ruling.

Drivers themselves can also feel the impact. Authorities are testing roadside “noise cameras” that automatically report vehicles exceeding legal sound limits. Police already have the power to issue spot fines, and officials say they are likely to be rolled out more widely if trials prove effective.

Similar enforcement actions have been taken in the United States. In one high-profile case, COBB Tuning was fined nearly $3 million by the EPA for selling tens of thousands of illegal exhaust “defeat devices.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, these devices disrupted emissions control and caused dangerous levels of… Pollution caused by smog.

Together, these crackdowns indicate growing momentum to protect communities from unnecessary noise and polluted air.

Get free TCD newsletters for easy tips to save more, reduce waste, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD exclusives Rewards Club.