Do Car Body Kits Void Your Warranty?

So, you’ve finally gotten your new car and now your mind is racing with all the awesome mods you can do to it. It’s an exciting stage, and of course the first thing you want to do is explore all the possibilities. After all, you want your ride to reflect your own personality and style.

We know what it’s like – you start to ask questions like “how much more awesome would it look if I put on a body kit?” or “what if I fine-tuned the suspension: how would it run?”.

But… can mods void your car’s warranty? The answer, in a nutshell, is that it depends. In some cases, yes, it can, so you need to be informed.

From paint jobs and body kits through to mechanical work and servicing, let’s talk about what you need to know when it comes to warranties. This article will give you the guidance you need to make the tough decisions about how you want to go ahead. We’ll walk you through the different things to consider, as well as where to get the information you need to feel confident.

Firstly – don’t be too alarmed. Even with warranties on your mind, there’s still a lot you can do to really personalize your ride. Let’s go through some of the hard and fast facts to get started…

Warranties & the ACCC

For the car’s warranty to be kept intact, manufacturers follow a standard code or guideline. Only genuine parts that have been approved by the manufacturer or similarly approved substitutes can be used when altering or repairing a car.

However, as per the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), there are some exceptions to the rule. The ACCC states that these exceptions are:

• If the part is non-genuine but has a similar quality to a genuine part (as the ACCC deems fit)
• If the part effectively performs the purpose that the genuine part was supposed to perform.

This basically means that if you choose a non-genuine part and it fails to achieve the standard of performance of the genuine part, then you can kiss your car warranty goodbye. Your manufacturer won’t be held accountable or liable for any damage, failure, or problems caused by that part.

You can get more information from the ACCC directly, or from your car manufacturer.

What about a repaint?

Repainting might seem like a straightforward modification to make, but it can become a reason for a warranty being voided. This is because a lot of people attempt a DIY job or, unfortunately, get it done by amateurs. As tempting as that new paint job might seem – think twice before you go ahead. This kind of approach can see you botching the car’s protective laminate permanently, and that sure would feel like a rough way to void a warranty on a car you love.

What is the best way to personalize my ride then?

This is where things get exciting. Let’s talk about body kits.

Instead of getting a repaint or voiding your warranty with sub-par parts, you can opt for a polyethene or ABS body kit instead. These are offered at high-quality car outfitting shops like AusBody Works. You can get your car kitted out in a style that’s going to suit you, but without the risks that could come with doing a repaint.

If your car has a warranty, the kinds of body kits offered by AusBody Works are the best options for you because they fit as they’re made. Why is that important? Because it means that little to no actual modification to the car body is needed.

On the flip side, make sure to avoid fiberglass and composite body kits. These usually don’t fit very well and require permanent modifications that violate the ACCC guidelines and lead to invalidated warranties.

You might also want to approach your car dealership for an endorsement on the body kit that you’re getting put on. Think of this as a letter of support. This way, you can show your car manufacturer that the body kit’s specs were made with respect to the warranty rules.

What about car servicing & repair?

Car servicing and repair have no hold over your car’s warranty if no permanent damage is done during the process. The ACCC states that you can get independent technicians to service your car provided the technicians are qualified.

This makes it very clear that it’s important to choose the right mechanic with a well-qualified team to work on your car. Go to a place that uses quality materials, genuine fluids and approved industry methods. Selecting a legitimate store like AusBody Works can save you a lot of heartache in the long run. Whether it’s preventive maintenance or repair, make sure you go to technicians that are qualified and that can keep both your vehicle and your warranty intact.

Conclusion

Whenever you’re thinking about modifying any part of your car it’s worth thinking about what that means on all fronts: for drivability, for resale and – particularly – for your warranty. You don’t want to find out down the track that you should have been more informed before you charged ahead with all those mods.

But the good news is that, provided you stay informed and follow the rules, you can get the car of your dreams and stay protected against damages and defects. Knowing the parameters of your warranty agreement is crucial to getting what you want while still ensuring your warranty is protected in the long run. So, if you’ve got your heart set on modifying your sweet new ride but still need your warranty to stay in one piece, make sure that you check out the guidelines and play by the rules.

While there are body kits that void warranties, some of the top-quality ABS & Polyurethane body kits like the ones at AusBody Works definitely don’t. Consult with your car professional today and find a body kit that suits your needs, your style and your ride!