Car bodyBelgium
An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Belgium. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.
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195. Car body
A car body, also called bodywork, is the outer structure of a car that surrounds the passenger and luggage compartments and gives the vehicle its shape. It includes components such as the roof, doors, bonnet, boot lid, wings, body panels and, on many modern cars, load-bearing structural sections.
The car body helps protect occupants and supports components such as doors, windows, lights and bumpers. Damage, corrosion or poorly repaired structural sections can reduce the vehicle's safety and should be repaired correctly.
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Is the car body checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Vehicle structural condition forms part of roadworthiness inspection. In Flanders, the chassis is specifically included among the components examined during the technical inspection.
Can damaged bodywork cause a problem at a Belgian technical inspection?
Yes. Structural damage, dangerous looseness or defects affecting the safe attachment of vehicle components can result in a defect being recorded. Cosmetic damage that does not affect safety is different from damage affecting the vehicle's structure or secure assembly.
Is the car body always separate from the chassis?
No. Many modern passenger cars have a self-supporting body in which the body structure itself carries much of the vehicle's load. Other vehicles can have a separate chassis with the body mounted on it.

Traffic rules
Belgium