Overloading your car
Overloading your car is a very serious matter, as the car carries more weight there are several effects on your car.
The heavier your car is the more damage it's going to cause to things such as your suspension and tyres. Your tyres will have more contact with the floor which creates friction causing them to heat up. This, in turn, has an effect on your tyre tread and can cause early wear and tear on the tread and life expectancy of your tyre. It also means there will be an impact on your car's handling and an increase in your car's stopping distances which can cause accidents if you're not prepared.
Not only does this have an effect on the general wear and tear of your car and the possibility of putting you and your passengers at risk, but there is also the possibility of receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £300.
To avoid overloading your car it's worth knowing how much your car can take. All cars have a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) or Maximum Permitted Weight (MPW) for your car. This is the maximum allowed weight for everything in and on your car, including the driver and passengers.
If you'd like to find out more about your car's MAM you can find it either on the VIN plate under your car's bonnet or in your vehicle handbook.