You’d think the one place you could park your 4X4 without being hassled for a lift kit or a set of 33s would be the 4X4 show car park. Apparently not, WA Police were out in force at the Australian 4WD and Adventure Show in Perth, handing out defect stickers like they were showbags.
A Shocking Sight After a Day at the Show
Several punters returned from the show, arms full of brochures, kids hyped on soft serve, only to find a bright yellow sticker slapped on their windscreen. Eleven defect notices were reportedly issued in the South Perth car park on the Friday alone, targeting vehicles with “unsafe or illegal alterations.”
Videos circulating online show stunned owners trying to figure out how their weekend show visit turned into a Department of Transport inspection date. One bloke summed up the mood perfectly: “Just walked back to the rig, and they’ve just given me a sticker.”
Legal, Sure, But Really?
WA Police have confirmed they’re within their rights under the Road Traffic Act to inspect vehicles in public areas, including car parks. Their statement said the move was about “protecting all road users from the risks posed by non-compliant and potentially dangerous vehicles.”
But that justification hasn’t done much to cool tempers. On social media, the move was labelled “ridiculous” and “a bloody outrage.” Clothing brand Dirt Born, who posted one of the viral videos, argued the defects were over “things that don’t hurt or endanger anyone,” saying bigger tyres, lift kits and aftermarket bars have become automatic red flags, regardless of actual safety.
The Broader Debate
The issue cuts to the core of what’s been a long-running tension between modified 4X4 owners and enforcement agencies. Enthusiasts say police are unfairly targeting responsible drivers whose rigs are built for touring and safety off-road, not hooning.
When you’ve got 4X4s parked up at a show designed to celebrate seeing Australia, it feels like the wrong battleground. Policing legitimate safety risks is one thing, but nabbing owners for height, tyre, or accessory mods in a show car park sends a pretty mixed message about what’s “acceptable” in a country that literally sells 4X4 adventure as part of its identity.
Our Take
If the goal was to start a conversation, they’ve nailed it, but it’s the wrong kind of talk. The show should be a space that brings together industry, regulators and the public, not a sting operation in the car park. There’s a massive gap between what’s legal and what’s practical for 4X4ing in Australia, and this incident just highlights how wide that gap has become.
Until there’s some national consistency in modification laws, or at least a bit more common sense in how they’re applied, expect more yellow stickers, more outrage, and fewer people keen to take their rigs out for a day at the show.
