Tesla Cybertruck seized in the UK for being illegal

This is a tale of high hopes and low compliance.

Tesla Cybertruck seized in the UK

Photo by: Bury Police

Angel Sergeev

By: Angel Sergeev

Jan 21, 2025 at 3:11am ET

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Bury Police in Greater Manchester recently made headlines after seizing a Tesla Cybertruck under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act. The futuristic pickup, imported from the United States, found itself in hot water over missing paperwork and, more crucially, failing to meet UK safety regulations.

Despite the Cybertruck’s viral status and cult following, its sharp edges and lack of essential features like side indicators render it unfit for European streets, as AutoExpress reports. Add to that its upright front end, which seems more suited for Mad Max than Manchester, and it’s no wonder this low-polygon oddity was taken off the road.

The drama began when the driver couldn’t produce a certificate of conformity, a vital document proving a vehicle meets safety standards. Without it, the truck's angular silhouette was promptly escorted into custody. Police took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain their stance, emphasising safety concerns.

“While this may seem trivial to some, legitimate concerns exist around the safety of other road users or pedestrians if they were involved in a collision with a Cybertruck,” Bury Police stated.

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The driver might still reclaim the vehicle, provided they can supply proof of ownership and insurance. However, even if reunited, the truck won’t be cruising UK streets anytime soon without significant – and costly – modifications. To date, there’s no legally registered Cybertruck in the United Kingdom.

Despite Tesla’s successes, such as the Model Y topping the UK’s EV sales charts, the Cybertruck’s future in Britain remains murky at best. Still, for those undeterred, there’s currently a used Cybertruck listed online for a cool £130,000. Whether it’s a collector’s dream or a cautionary tale on wheels is up to the buyer. But one thing’s certain: for now, the Cybertruck is more likely to star in police impound lots than on UK highways.

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