Modded cars are all over the place. No, really! It’s not just young lads sticking a new exhaust on for a beefy sound, or lowering the bodies of their Vauxhall Astras to make every speed bump a minor mountain climb – the road is covered with modified cars, both subtle and extreme.
But it’s worth thinking about what happens after you mod your car, especially when it’s time for a service or MOT.
A good independent garage should be able to work around mods and give advice on roadworthiness, depending on the scale of the mods you’ve undertaken.
That being said, you really need to be aware of how modifying your car changes your relationship with it. And that includes how you approach its maintenance, because modifying your car has practical implications for upkeep, costs, and who is best placed to look after it.
HOW COMMON MODS CHANGE CAR SERVICING
Different modifications bring different servicing considerations. It’s not just about passing roadworthiness, street legalness, or MOT tests – it’s also about how often your car will need maintenance because of the mods that have been carried out, and how they affect the car as a whole.
ALLOY WHEELS AND UPGRADED BRAKES
Yep, aftermarket alloy wheels count as modifications – and the road is covered with them… As straightforward and simple as they may seem, changing wheels can have some unexpected effects.
Balance and alignment are important to get right, but also fitting can vary. Extremely lightweight or high performance alloy wheels may require specific torque settings or coupling methods that your garage will need to know before working with them.
Upgraded, high performance brake calipers and discs can have different wear profiles, and may require more frequent brake pad changes.
SUSPENSION AND HANDLING – LOWERED BODIES
Slammed cars look great but can suffer more scrapes to their undersides, especially to exhaust components. Suspension and handling characteristics will also be massively changed, and this can affect wear on suspension components as well.
These kinds of mods also affect geometry, and a standard wheel alignment might not suffice. Tyre wear may be unpredictable at first, or permanently uneven without specialist alignment.
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE
More power and airflow can mean more strain and wear. While a basic oil change is the same, the technician needs to be aware of any engine modifications to properly inspect components. For instance, they might pay closer attention to clutch wear or cooling system efficiency.
BODY KITS, ELECTRICS, AND LIGHTING
Can everything still be accessed? If you’ve got a body kit that makes accessing vital components harder, your service might take longer and cost more. And you’ll need to be sure mods like spoilers and downforce are street legal – especially for MOT and roadworthiness tests, where some mods can lead to a failure…
Think about electrics and lighting, too. Internally, any custom infotainment system should integrate cleanly, without compromising access or performance of vital systems (cooling, heating, lighting – you’ll need this all to work and be serviceable).
Modified external lights must conform to standards, too. They’ll need to be in working order and road legal in the UK.
THE COST OF MODS
Nobody’s going to stop you from making legal, safe mods to your car. It’s yours to love and enjoy as you see fit. But, it will come with costs beyond servicing, so keep that in mind.
For one, insurance costs are higher for modded cars. Resale value can be lower, depending on the mods made, and you may find yourself garnering more attention than usual – whether it’s wanted or not.
Fuel efficiency can suffer with some cosmetic or performance mods as well, leading to higher running costs. Added weight can affect this, too.
Still – if you value a car that looks and feels just how you want it to, then all of this is moot; you’ll do it anyway, love it, and won’t mind the extra costs if it means everything’ s just so!
TALK TO YOUR GARAGE FIRST
This is the most important bit; if you’ve got a modified car – no matter how minor – have a chat with your garage before you book anything.
Call them up beforehand and briefly mention the modifications. A simple check in saves everyone time and can prevent you shelling out for long-winded exploratory investigations by your mechanic!
Ask them if they’re familiar with your mods and the brands or components you’ve got. Their answers will tell you if they’re the right garage for the job.
Once you find a good garage, stick with them. They’ll get to know your vehicle’s specific setup, which leads to better car services.
Modifying your car doesn’t have to make servicing a headache, it just needs some extra consideration. Plan ahead, communicate clearly, and build a relationship with a garage you can trust.
BOOK YOUR CAR SERVICE
Master Tech Autos is a garage in Eastleigh that carries out car servicing for lightly modified cars and factory stock cars alike. Give us a call on 023 8061 1161 or contact us to book your next car service.
