If you’re a fan of a modified car and like to make your own customisations, you might be wondering if adding aftermarket parts increases a car's value.
Adding aftermarket parts and modifications are a fun way to personalise your vehicle and are popular in the car world.
This can include things like tinting windows, wrapping the car to change its colour, and making changes or upgrades to the engine.
When it’s time to sell or part exchange your car, these modifications can have an impact on your car’s overall value.
Do modifications increase car value?
Modifications can increase car value, but it really does depend on the modifications you’re making and the person that’s interested in buying.
A lot of modifications are down to personal preference. Aesthetic modifications such as body kits (spoilers, bumpers or side skirts) can increase the value of your car to the right buyer, but they might not be to everyone’s taste.
While adding a set of chunky chrome wheels is expensive and can make your car stand out on the market, some buyers might be tempted to go for an original stock model if their personal tastes don’t match yours.
Engine upgrades can also increase value for the right buyer, but you might want to keep hold of proof that the work has been done to a good standard.
Receipts from a garage or a retailer for high-quality parts can help a potential buyer see if the upgrades have been sourced and fitted to a good standard.
There are so many modifications that you can do to your car but, if you’re dead set on increasing or maintaining your car’s value, you’ll need to consider if the modifications might put potential buyers off.
Shoddy work, loud colour schemes and modifications that can damage the usability of the car should be avoided if you’re worried about value.
Does a new engine increase car value?
Performance upgrades in general can increase or help to maintain the value of your car, but it depends how you go about doing them.
OEM parts are ‘original equipment manufacturer’ parts that are identical to the parts used in the vehicle when it was made. Using these helps to increase or maintain the value of your car.
If you’re making engine repairs or improvements, it’s a good idea to use OEM parts or other aftermarket parts that are well respected for your vehicle. This is especially true if they’re installed by a specialist, and you keep hold of the paperwork and receipts.
Common engine modifications include turbochargers, performance exhausts and superchargers.
You might also be tempted by engine upgrades such as ‘remapping’ for your car’s Engine Control Unit (ECU). This process overwrites the factory settings that your car came with to increase performance, but can be dangerous if carried out poorly.
A professionally done remap can increase the value of your car, but be careful as the ECU also controls your car’s airbags, emergency braking and door locks.
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Does a sunroof add value to a car?
It is possible to add a sunroof to a car that doesn’t already have one but it’s not something that’s encouraged.
Adding a sunroof is a tricky process and can impact the structural integrity of the car, so it’s not something that usually adds value.
Aftermarket sunroofs are often prone to issues like leaking, and can be impossible to do on some modern cars because of how complex the designs now are.
Adding a sunroof to your car is not usually something that will add value or even help to maintain its current value.
The best optional extras for your car
Does window tint increase value?
Window tinting has gained popularity over the years – these tints darken the windows to protect against heat and UV rays, and also have a desirable look.
Tinted windows can increase your car value to the right buyer but it’s really a matter of preference whether this is a feature they’d pay for.
It’s also worth noting that some window tints are illegal, so you’ll need to make sure yours fits the legal UK requirements for car window tinting if you want to add or retain car value.
Window tints can also protect the interior of your car from sun damage so might contribute to keeping it in a good resale condition.
Alongside that, you’ll want to make sure you keep your window tint in good nick for future buyers as well. It can easily peel or discolour if it’s of poor quality.
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Will a car wrap increase value?
Car wraps are a way to change the colour or even the texture of your car. They’re applied in the same way that many of us have tried to vinyl wrap our kitchen cupboards – it's a sticky sheet that is placed directly onto the car.
While car wraps can look seriously impressive, they will often devalue your car.
These wraps usually last around three to seven years, and a future buyer will have no idea of what to expect of the paintwork underneath.
Depending on the quality of the wrap job, they can sometimes cause damage to the paintwork of the car.
On the other hand, it can be considered that the wrap is protecting the original paintwork and, if removed correctly, will keep the car in good condition.
All of these factors are for the buyer to consider, so there’s no surefire way of telling if a wrapping a car adds value.
Upgrades that add value to your car
There are a few car modifications that are more likely to add value, but a rule of thumb is to avoid any big aesthetic changes if you really want to retain or increase how much your car is worth.
Adding an infotainment unit to your car is a good way to potentially increase value, especially if this is a higher spec system for an older model.
Refreshing parts like tyres, wheels and brakes can also help boost your car’s value.
The next buyer will know these are one less thing they’ll have to replace in the coming years and upkeep costs will be decreased. Opting for quality tyres and brakes will give the buyer even more security.
A good quality exhaust using OEM parts and fitted by a professional may also increase value, as well as a lower suspension system or a remapped engine.
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Why aftermarket parts and mods may decrease value
Aftermarket parts and modifications can decrease the value of your car for a number of reasons. It’s really up to you to decide if the risk is worth potentially losing some value on your vehicle.
Using aftermarket parts means you can’t guarantee they meet the same standards as OEM parts, and this can impact safety and performance.
Aftermarket brakes, steering and suspension are at risk of being lower quality than OEM options, and this may put buyers off.
If you can’t prove that the work was done by a specialist, especially in the case of engine remapping, then this might be a red flag for a potential buyer.
Modifications are usually done for customisation reasons, and we don’t all have the same taste. What you think looks amazing might be a turn-off for a potential buyer and can decrease value.
This is especially true in the case of part exchanging, as it feels a higher risk for the dealer to accept your car because they might struggle to resell it.
Aftermarket parts and modifications can also impact your insurance prices and make them more expensive. In this case, a buyer might be put off by the higher running costs when compared to similar models.
Heavily modified cars
It’s worth noting that some car communities will find certain modifications desirable and be happy to pay more for a car that has them. This will usually be with a private buyer, as dealers may be reluctant to take a heavily modified car.
If you’re part of the car modification community, some of the aftermarket parts and changes to your car that will usually decrease value might have the opposite effect.
In this case, we’d recommend doing your research for your specific car model and the changes you plan to make.
Modded car communities are usually happy to help, and you can take a look on resale sites to get an idea of what's desirable.
Part exchange your car with cinch
If you’re planning to part exchange or sell your car, you’ll likely be interested in knowing how much it will be worth and if your modifications will impact that.
Large modifications, such as changing your car's colour or significantly upgrading the engine, will need reporting and registering for your V5C logbook. This will ensure all of your car's details are accurate in your paperwork when it's time to sell.
You can use our online part exchange tool to get your car valued and see how much you’ll get to put towards your next model when buying with us.
You'll need to input your car's registration number and give us details like the level of wear and tear and your mileage. Our handover specialist will inspect your car when it's time to trade in, ensuring that it's roadworthy and matches the details you gave.
The process is simple and straightforward, and you can get an instant, free quote online.
We've got plenty of quality used cars on our site that come with a range of features.
Read more about part exchange:
Should I part exchange my car?
What documents do I need to part exchange?
