Anyone modded GTI while still under warranty?

[Burger81]

Well my GTI is under warranty for another 2.5 years plus i have 2 free services for the next 2 years.

I badly have the modding bug and really don't want to wait that long.

I want to lower it, change 18's to 19's, get a VWR R600 induction kit and eventually get a remap.

I'm guessing that engine mods are a bit risky in case something else happens and VW could use it to wriggle out of the warranty cover, and surely the same with changing springs.

Surely changing to 19's wouldn't invalidate anything?

Anyone risked modding whilst under warranty?

My other thoughts are just gather up the bits I'm after and then when the warranty has expired I'm ready to go, but thats such a long wait...

[Don76]

If you change the springs, you'll only invalidate warranty on suspension products. Wheels won't make any difference to warranty.

Worth investigating VWR products further as I'm sure these don't affect warranty.

You could always swap back to standard before visiting the dealer for any service / warranty work. That way they'll be none the wiser.

[SRGTD]

Surely changing to 19's wouldn't invalidate anything?

Changing to 19's might not invalidate your warranty but it will probably invalidate your insurance if you don't tell your insurance company. Your insurance policy will probably have a requirement in the small print to notify any modifications to your insurer.

[brettblade]

Surely changing to 19's wouldn't invalidate anything?

Changing to 19's might not invalidate your warranty but it will probably invalidate your insurance if you don't tell your insurance company. Your insurance policy will probably have a requirement in the small print to notify any modifications to your insurer.

There's no requirement for your insurance company to tell the dealer about the mods though, the OP is questioning modding with warranty and not the insurance implications (I would assume this isn't the first time OP will be modifying a car).

[gtiaps]

As mentioned above regarding modding or any alterations to the car as it came from the manufacturer does require your insurance company to be informed if they charge or not they require a record even options you pay for when ordering a vehicle they want the info and in some circumstances can charge accordingly what you have as apose to bog standard.

[Burger81]

Are you guys insurance salesman or something!?

[Eccie]

I think they are trying to be helpful - not everyone knows you must inform your insurer of any changes, its often overlooked.

[Burger81]

I know, I'm only saying it in jest. I'm surprised people don't know to tell insirance of any mods no matter how small. I've known since I modified my first car when 20 and that was over 15 years ago!

With the amount of people on the road being pulled over with no insurance these days nothing should surprise us really.

[fredgroves]

The first time you will find out that you aren't insured is when your car is inspected after a major prang.

They won't come round your house before then and demand to look over it.

The loss adjuster will look all over the wreckage and look for any possible reason to avoid paying out... and once they do this and decide you've got an uninsured vehicle, they will probably pass that over to the plod too...

Of course, you might even then get away with it, personally I'd sooner not take the risk of an uninsured accident and the points on my licence for the sake of ponying up a few quid after I tell them I've changed the exhaust or wheels or something.

[phazer]

The first time you will find out that you aren't insured is when your car is inspected after a major prang.

They won't come round your house before then and demand to look over it.

The loss adjuster will look all over the wreckage and look for any possible reason to avoid paying out... and once they do this and decide you've got an uninsured vehicle, they will probably pass that over to the plod too...

Of course, you might even then get away with it, personally I'd sooner not take the risk of an uninsured accident and the points on my licence for the sake of ponying up a few quid after I tell them I've changed the exhaust or wheels or something.

Not complying with the terms of notification of modifications does not cancel or void your insurance. As per the requirements of the Road Traffic Act you will still hold third party cover so the Plod have no cause to act.

What will happen though is that your insurer will remove any fully comprehensive cover leaving you with a very large repair bill to sort out. They will make good the third party and/or any road furniture issues as if you had complied fully.

In rare circumstances they may sue you for the amount paid out to a third party, however you will still, for the purposes of the law, be insured.