Last Updated on February 2, 2024 by John Robinson
The car enthusiasts out there know that even when you buy the car of your dreams, if you’ve got the chance to upgrade or modify the body kit somehow, you’re going to take it!
However, if this is your first rodeo buying a car, it’s normal to be worried about how upgrading the body kit might impact your car’s warranty.
Every car head wants to toughen up and streamline the look of their hot wheels – but of course, they want to do this without voiding the warranty.
To help your revheads reading this, we’ve put together some info about some classic upgrades and how your warranty might be affected by them. Keep reading to learn more.
Wheels and Tires Upgrades
If there’s one thing car lovers can’t get enough of, it’s big tough tires that are really going to beef up their new ride.
Now, upgrading the tires, especially to larger ones, is a one way street to warranty cancellation – and obviously we want to avoid that.
Almost every car maker out there advises against replacing wheels and tires because it can significantly impact the handling performance of the car. You see, most cars have the drivetrain and suspension systems integrated into the car, and these have been made with specific wheels and configurations in mind.
So, while it will likely void your warranty, changing the wheels and tires to aftermarket ones can also be dangerous.
If you want to avoid voiding your warranty, avoid this!
Body Kits
Body kits can make all the difference when it comes to upgrading your car. And luckily, there is some flexibility here when it comes to your warranty.
For so long, making an upgrade to your car’s body kit was thought to be a no-no, but in recent times the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has shed some light on the matter.
Your car’s warranty shouldn’t be affected by the a body kit upgrade if:
- The pieces of the body kit are interchangeable with your car’s original parts
- The body kit parts are able to be attached to the car without having to make modifications to the car.
There are many different kinds of body kits available out there, and some of these may actually require modifications for them to be installed which might lead to your car’s warranty being voided.
If you want to upgrade your car’s body kit, you can also get advice from a car dealer, as they can often advise how much you can modify the car. They also often have recommendations about how you can actually manage the body kit modification without voiding the warranty.
Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to body kit mods and upgrades, is that if you plan to repaint your car afterwards, this may impact your warranty.
Car repairs
When your car requires repairs, it’s important to ensure that the right parts are being used. If your car is being repaired by another business other than your car manufacturer’s dealers, like at an independent car technician, they need to be using manufacturer approved parts when parts are required to be replaced. Otherwise, this could be the end of your warranty.
This can include parts like nuts and bolts, so it’s a good idea to have an understanding of what is required by your car’s manufacturer.
The same goes for servicing of your car – they may only allow for certain product brands, like oils and other fluids to be used to ensure optimum performance. So, if you are going to someone other than your car manufacturer for your service or repair, make sure you remind them of this!
Just remember
When it comes to upgrading those wheels, make sure you err on the side of caution. It’s important that your car’s warranty is kept intact so you can ensure it purrs for a long time to come.
If you’re looking to upgrade your car with high-quality and premium designed bodykits – Ausbody Works offers a huge range that can turn your wheels into the sleek ride you’ve always dreamt of.
