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Why people may choose to modify their car

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Why people may choose to modify their car

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The Ultimate Guide to Modifying Your Car: From Aesthetics to Performance Upgrades

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Introduction Why modify your car? There are several reasons why people choose to modify their cars. One of the main reasons is to enhance the performance of the vehicle. By making certain modifications, such as upgrading the engine, suspension, or exhaust system, drivers can experience improved acceleration, handling, and overall

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Understanding Car Modification Laws in the UK

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Car modification can be done for different reasons, such as improving the performance of the car. Read about Car Modification Laws.

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How to stay safe when carrying out modifications

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How to stay safe when carrying out modifications

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Cars can be modified to improve performance or style. If you're considering modifying your car or you have purchased a modified car, you can find information below on modifications including in-car entertainment, lights or reflectors, suspension and brakes.

Safety first

Staying safe and legal is extremely important when modifying your car. It is essential to remember that too many modifications can affect the road handling of your car. It could also put you on the wrong side of the law and perhaps your insurance company.

In-car entertainment

Over the last few years there has been a huge increase in the amount of in-car entertainment devices that have become available for the motorist.

However, it's important to remember that as the driver of the car you still have the most important job to do - and that means you must not get distracted by in-car entertainment. Such as watching a TV screen in the rear-view mirror, or rummaging around with an MP3 player. Moving images within view of the driver are illegal whilst driving.

Lights or reflectors

Headlamps must show a largely white or yellow light. Rear position lamps must show a steady red light to the rear only. Tinting of rear reflectors which will reduce efficiency in darkness is not permitted

Wheels and tyres

Changes to wheels and tyres can significantly alter your car's behaviour on the road. Important points to consider when fitting bigger wheels and tyres is to:

make sure they are approved by the vehicle manufacturer

give adequate clearance between tyre and bodywork

Suspension

Modifications to the suspension which is the fitment of stiffer springs and lowering kits, should be only be done where the car's road handling will not be compromised. This work must be carried out by a professional engineer.

Brakes

Modifications to your car's brakes must at all times be carried out by a professional engineer. Before parting with your money, seek advice from independent suppliers and the vehicle manufacturer to make sure that the brakes you intend fitting are approved and will not involve any major change of existing mounting points.

Number plates

Number plates must:

meet with current legislation

be displayed in a prominent position

not be misleading

Exhaust system

All exhaust silencers must be maintained in a good and efficient working order. You will be breaking the law if you remove a silencer or make any change that would make that vehicle emit a noise louder than the original exhaust before it was modified.

To read more about car modifications you can download a copy of the 'Modified Cars - what you need to know' leaflet at the link below or you can contact Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) directly.

More useful links

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Cars can be modified to improve performance or style. If you're considering modifying your car or you have purchased a modified car, you can find information below on modifications including in-car entertainment, lights or reflectors, suspension and brakes.

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The Relationship Between Car Insurance Price and Car Modifications

There are many factors that affect car insurance. This is why, when you apply for insurance, you're asked whether your car has been modified. When an insurer sets the price of policies, all factors that affect the value of the car, or up its chances of being stolen or involved in an accident, are taken into account. The idea isn't to charge you more, it's to ensure that every aspect of your modified car is suitably covered against risk.

Unless you've approached a specialist insurance broker like Keith Michaels, car modifications can have a big impact on these factors. However, no matter what insurer or broker you speak to, it's important you are completely honest about modifications. Below is a full car insurance modifications guide to better understand what needs to be declared, and what modifications do not count as a relevant change.
Find out more about modified car insurance

Specialist Modified Car Insurance

Have a modified car and not sure how to get it insured? Speak to the modified car insurance specialists. Keith Michaels. We have over 30 years' specialist experience arranging cheap modified car insurance to fellow enthusiasts.

What Modifications Affect Mainstream Car Insurance?

Depending on what you add, and of course, your insurance provider, modifications to your car can affect your car insurance positively or negatively. This table gives an idea of how much certain modifications can affect insurance from mainstream providers:

Car Modifications Standard Insurer Examples Keith Michaels Average

But Not With Keith Michaels...

At Keith Michaels we're specialists in providing modified car insurance, and have a number of schemes in place to ensure our customers have the most affordable cover for their customised cars. Our unique method of using dedicated points of contact and reviewing each policy by hand allows us to offer rates you won't find anywhere else. Plus, unlike other insurance providers we're very fond of car enthusiasts and are more than happy to insure vehicles with a range of modifications.

What Modifications Do I Need To Declare?

Car modifications tend to fall into two categories - to enhance vehicle performance or appearance. If any of these modifications have been made to your car, you need to declare them - even if you have not made them yourself. If you fail to do so, it's likely your insurance will be invalidated and your claim will be refused when you need financial protection.

When you tell your provider of any modifications made to your car, you need to be as truthful and detailed as possible so they can do an appropriate risk calculation. This means you will avoid an increase in your premium due to 'unforeseen risk'.

It's not a good idea to hide modifications, and if you do it could very likely lead to an invalidation of your insurance. There are however certain exceptions, depending on the nature of your non-disclosure.

The following is a list of modifications that will need to be declared when you contact your insurance company:

How Car Colour Affects Insurance

In some cases, the colour of your car can affect your premium if the vehicle's paintwork has been modified. Changes to your vehicle's paintwork can cause a 36% rise in your insurance premiums. At Keith Michael's we specialise in modified car insurance and always look to provide the affordable cover you need no matter what colour your paintwork is. If your paintwork has not been modified the colour of your vehicle should not affect your insurance premiums.

White, silver, gold, orange and yellow cars are deemed to be the safest.

During daylight hours, black cars were up to 12% more likely be involved in crashes than white vehicles.

Though there is no clear link between car colour and theft, a 1998 AA survey once found that red and blue cars are the most popular target for thieves

Choosing a specialist insurer is beneficial if your car is heavily modified. To find out more about reducing the cost of your premium for a modified vehicle, see our page on How To Keep Modified Car Insurance Costs Down.

Choosing a specialist insurer is beneficial if your car is heavily modified. To find out more about reducing the cost of your premium for a modified vehicle, see our page on How To Keep Modified Car Insurance Costs Down.

Modifications That Will Not Negatively Affect Your Insurance

Car modifications that increase the security of your car will not negatively affect your insurance premium. Security devices such as extra locking devices and immobilisers, for example, can reduce the risk of theft or accident, and could help to lower the cost of your policy.

Winter tyres are another modification that won't negatively impact your insurance. Most insurers see these as a good modification as they help to improve the handling of your car in difficult driving conditions.

While these particular modifications may not increase the cost of your insurance, it is still important to declare them to your provider so they can make an accurate calculation and charge you the appropriate amount.

To find out more about declaring your modifications, read our guide to Declaring Modifications to your Car Insurance Provider.

What Modifications Void Car Insurance?

Generally speaking, any modifications you make that result in you breaking the law will void your insurance. This includes:

Tinted windows that restrict more than 70% light

Under car neon lights

Illegal Wheel modifications

Sound/noise modifiers, including exhausts

LED headlights that aren't road legal

Nitrous oxide (here at Keith Michaels we can't accept nitrous oxide mods)

If you fail to declare any modifications when you take out your cover, you may void your car insurance. If you plan to modify your car in any way during the policy term, you should keep your insurer in the loop.

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A Guide to How Car Modifications Affect Insurance

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An in-depth car insurance modifications guide, covering what modifications you need to declare and how they affect your insurance policy.