Do Vehicle Modifications Void Your Warranty?

You’ve got a new car and you can’t wait to perform some vehicle mods to it; hold on.  Don’t act rashly, your warranty might be at stake.

Part of the cost of the new vehicle you’ve bought is built into the warranty and you don’t want to simply flush that cost down the drain. On the other hand, you can’t wait to add items to your new vehicle; what should you do?

The Gray Area You Don’t Want to Get Into

Some people believe that adding or changing anything at all on your car will void your warranty. While this is a good thought and might serve you well during the time your warranty is active, you might not have the patience to wait that long. Thankfully, there are someitems you can add, but you need to know the rules.

If an automaker or dealer can prove that your aftermarket part caused the need for a warranty repair, you won’t have the warranty covering your service needs. This sounds straightforward enough, but that doesn’t mean you should put a new exhaust on your car and expect the radiator leak to be taken care of by the dealer. Be cautious with the items you upgrade on your vehicle.

The Safest of the Vehicle Mods

Let’s face it, the wheels that we oftensee on stock vehicles can be boring. Thankfully, you can often change your wheels and improve the style of your car without any potential issues with the warranty. Depending on the wheels, there are still some concerns that can arise, which means you should make sure the wheels you choose won’t cause your warranty to be voided just because you want to ride with a bit more style.

Ok, This is Safer

Even safer than changing out the wheels is to get your upgrades from the vehicle manufacturer and have them installed at the dealership. Many brands will offer aftermarket accessories and certify the work at dealerships to keep your warranty intact. You’ll be amazed at the long list of items that can be added to your vehicle at the dealership and this might be the perfect solution for your new car and the upgrades you desire.

The Best Way to Protect Your Warranty

Now you know that you need to have the vehicle mods you want to add completed at the dealership if you want your warranty to remain active, how else can you protect this item. The best way to ensure your warranty stays intact during the entire time it’s supposed to be to have your vehicle serviced on time. You have a maintenance and service schedule, follow it, and have the work submitted into the computer system as part of the record for your vehicle.

Can You Add Vehicle Mods to a Leased Car?

When entering a lease, you are paying a lot less than if you were to pay on a loan for a vehicle, but the car never belongs to you. Ifyou’re planning to return the car at the end of your lease term, you should avoid adding anything to the vehicle that can’t be easily removed when the lease term has ended.

Of course, much the same as certain modifications to a purchased vehicle could void the warranty, a leased vehicle might get you into much more hot water with the leasing company when you alter it. Most dealers won’t add aftermarket items to a leased vehicle because the lease agreement often stipulates the vehicle be returned in like-new condition minus expected wear and tear.

When Leasing, Regular Maintenance is Absolutely Required

You might want to forget about vehicle mods when you lease a vehicle. Your focus should be on staying below the annual mileage limit that you’veagreed to and completing the required maintenance when it’s scheduled. This maintenance should be performed at the dealership to have a complete record in one place. If you do these things, you won’t get hit with a large fee at the end of your lease.

Enjoy Vehicle Mods the Right Way

Before you drive your new car off the lot you’re already thinking about the various ways you can upgrade your ride. Work with your local dealer and make sure the items you add are going to help you protect your warranty. This is the best way to have the car you want and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with your warranty when you drive a new car.