UK Police Seize Tesla Cybertruck Over Safety Violations

WHITEFIELD, England — A Tesla Cybertruck, deemed illegal to drive in the U.K. due to safety concerns, was seized by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on Thursday night. Officers spotted the vehicle, valued at approximately £48,000, in Whitefield, Bury, and confiscated it after determining it was not road-legal in the country.

The Cybertruck, which weighs over three tonnes, has been the subject of recent scrutiny after Tesla recalled thousands of units due to issues with accelerator pedals. In a social media post, GMP stated, “Whilst 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 the Cybertruck.”

The vehicle, registered and insured abroad, was referred to Operation Wolverine, a police initiative launched in 2007 to target uninsured drivers. The driver, a U.K. resident, was reported, and the owner must now prove ownership and provide valid insurance to reclaim the vehicle.

The Cybertruck, constructed with bullet-proof steel materials, has been on a promotional tour across the Middle East and Europe, including an appearance at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. However, it has not yet passed U.K. road safety tests, making it illegal to operate on British roads.

GMP emphasized that the vehicle lacks a certificate of conformity, a requirement for all road-legal vehicles in the U.K. The seizure highlights ongoing challenges with imported vehicles that do not meet local safety standards.