A striking Tesla Cybertruck which is illegal to drive in the UK due to safety concerns has been seized by police in Greater Manchester.

Officers spotted the eye-catching vehicle, which carries a price tag of about £48,000, in Whitefield, Bury, and stopped the driver on Thursday night.

In April 2024, Tesla recalled thousands of its new Cybertrucks, which weigh more than three tonnes, after concerns about its accelerator pedals.

In a social media post, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: “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.”

It said the vehicle, which was registered and insured abroad, was confiscated and they had reported the driver, who is a UK resident.

Their post added: “The Tesla Cybertruck is not road-legal in the UK and does not hold a certificate of conformity.”

The Cybertruck, which is made of rocket-like, bullet-proof steel materials, was launched in 2019.

The vehicle has been on a promotional tour across the Middle East and Europe, including at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK in 2024.

However, it has not yet passed UK road safety tests.

GMP said the car that was seized had been referred to Operation Wolverine, which was established in 2007 to target drivers without insurance.

The owner will have to prove ownership and correct insurance prior to release.

|BBC