Road rules? What road rules? Man caught behind the wheel of a DIY disaster
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We’ve all seen some questionable DIY jobs in our time—maybe a bit of duct tape here, a makeshift fix there—but this one takes the cake!
In a story that’s equal parts jaw-dropping and a little bit hilarious, a Melbourne man has been caught behind the wheel in a vehicle that looked more like a backyard project than a roadworthy car.
Picture this: It’s a regular Monday afternoon in Cranbourne North, Melbourne’s southeast. Police are patrolling Greaves Road when they spot a burgundy BMW at about 3:15pm on a Monday, that’s, well, missing a rather important feature—the entire bonnet!
That’s right, the engine was completely exposed, open to the elements, and probably catching more flies than a backyard barbecue.

But wait, it gets worse. When officers pulled the car over, they discovered that the driver’s seat had been replaced with a humble plastic garden chair, complete with a cushion for that extra touch of ‘luxury’.
The rest of the seats? Gone. In their place, a few car mats were thrown over the stripped-back interior, as if that would somehow make things more comfortable—or legal.
The driver, a 64-year-old man, didn’t even try to deny the obvious. He admitted to police that he knew the car was not roadworthy.
His explanation? He was on his way to pick up some new parts. Unfortunately for him, the police weren’t buying it. He was promptly issued a defect notice and is expected to be charged on summons with a range of traffic offences.

Now, we know times are tough and car repairs can be expensive, but this is a classic case of ‘she’ll be right’ gone a step too far!
Driving without a bonnet is not only dangerous for the driver but also for everyone else on the road. And as for the garden chair—well, let’s just say it’s better suited to a cuppa in the backyard than a spin down the highway.
This story might give us a chuckle, but it’s also a timely reminder about the importance of keeping our vehicles safe and roadworthy.
The bonnet isn’t just there for looks—it protects the engine from debris, weather, and, in the event of an accident, can help prevent serious injuries. And as for proper seats, they’re designed to keep you secure in case of a sudden stop or collision. A plastic chair just doesn’t cut it!
In Australia, all vehicles must meet strict roadworthy standards. This includes having all original safety features intact—bonnet, seats, seatbelts, and more.
If you’re ever in doubt about your car’s condition, it’s always best to get it checked by a professional. Not only will it keep you safe, but it’ll also help you avoid hefty fines and potential legal trouble.
Read more: Road authorities slam driver with 22 demerit points in one go! What did the driver do?
Have you ever spotted a car on the road that made you do a double-take? Or maybe you’ve got a story about a creative fix that didn’t quite go to plan? Share your tales in the comments below—we can’t wait to hear them! And remember, stay safe out there, folks—leave the plastic chairs for the patio!
In a story that’s equal parts jaw-dropping and a little bit hilarious, a Melbourne man has been caught behind the wheel in a vehicle that looked more like a backyard project than a roadworthy car.
Picture this: It’s a regular Monday afternoon in Cranbourne North, Melbourne’s southeast. Police are patrolling Greaves Road when they spot a burgundy BMW at about 3:15pm on a Monday, that’s, well, missing a rather important feature—the entire bonnet!
That’s right, the engine was completely exposed, open to the elements, and probably catching more flies than a backyard barbecue.

A Melbourne man was caught driving a car with no bonnet and a plastic garden chair as the driver’s seat in Cranbourne North. Image source: Casey Crime Page Public / Facebook.
But wait, it gets worse. When officers pulled the car over, they discovered that the driver’s seat had been replaced with a humble plastic garden chair, complete with a cushion for that extra touch of ‘luxury’.
The rest of the seats? Gone. In their place, a few car mats were thrown over the stripped-back interior, as if that would somehow make things more comfortable—or legal.
The driver, a 64-year-old man, didn’t even try to deny the obvious. He admitted to police that he knew the car was not roadworthy.
His explanation? He was on his way to pick up some new parts. Unfortunately for him, the police weren’t buying it. He was promptly issued a defect notice and is expected to be charged on summons with a range of traffic offences.

Police pulled the 64-year-old over after noticing the exposed engine and makeshift seat set-up using a cushion and car mats. Image source: Casey Crime Page Public / Facebook.
Now, we know times are tough and car repairs can be expensive, but this is a classic case of ‘she’ll be right’ gone a step too far!
Driving without a bonnet is not only dangerous for the driver but also for everyone else on the road. And as for the garden chair—well, let’s just say it’s better suited to a cuppa in the backyard than a spin down the highway.
This story might give us a chuckle, but it’s also a timely reminder about the importance of keeping our vehicles safe and roadworthy.
The bonnet isn’t just there for looks—it protects the engine from debris, weather, and, in the event of an accident, can help prevent serious injuries. And as for proper seats, they’re designed to keep you secure in case of a sudden stop or collision. A plastic chair just doesn’t cut it!
In Australia, all vehicles must meet strict roadworthy standards. This includes having all original safety features intact—bonnet, seats, seatbelts, and more.
If you’re ever in doubt about your car’s condition, it’s always best to get it checked by a professional. Not only will it keep you safe, but it’ll also help you avoid hefty fines and potential legal trouble.
Read more: Road authorities slam driver with 22 demerit points in one go! What did the driver do?
Key Takeaways
- A Melbourne man was caught driving a car with no bonnet and a plastic garden chair as the driver’s seat in Cranbourne North.
- Police pulled the 64-year-old over after noticing the exposed engine and makeshift seat set-up using a cushion and car mats.
- The man admitted he knew the BMW was not roadworthy and claimed he was heading to buy new parts when stopped.
- He received a defect notice and is expected to face charges on summons for various traffic offences.
Have you ever spotted a car on the road that made you do a double-take? Or maybe you’ve got a story about a creative fix that didn’t quite go to plan? Share your tales in the comments below—we can’t wait to hear them! And remember, stay safe out there, folks—leave the plastic chairs for the patio!