Vehicle modifications/Insurance/aftermarket parts

Mikex

Bit complicated but here goes........

We know while a vehicle is under warranty we MUST fit original manufacturers parts or the warranty will be invalid. The vehicle manufactured will not accept aftermarket parts fitted to their vehicles.

Once the manufacturers warranty has expired this is no longer an issue & we may choose to fit aftermarket parts. However if the vehicle manufacturer is unwilling to recognise the suitability of aftermarket parts why should our insurers? It might be that they do not and we only find this out when the !!!! hits the fan.

Fitting aftermarket parts is a vehicle modification and accordingly our insurers need to be informed.

The point of this post is to establish where the responsibility lies to determine the suitability of aftermarket parts. Who does the testing & certifying of these parts?

When I see a part advertised as being suitable for a particular vehicle, how can I be sure it is and how can I persuade my insurers it is?

Any ideas?

Thanks

Mike

Rossy.

What aftermarket parts are you on about?

Alloys?
Air filter?
Engine tuning i.e chipped/remapped

Most aftermarket parts are tested by the individual developer and usually meet the relevant safety requirements of it's specific task. There are also specific requirements that have to be met for it to be certified.

If your on about "patent" parts i.e a copy of the OEM part then it's as above really.

The reason manufacturs don't like aftermarket products added to the car is purely because they haven't tested it out on the vehicle themselves. Also the part "could" make the car operate beyond it's designed capabilities to which the manufacturer has no desire for. This in effect gives them a cop out clause with warranties etc.

The same goes for insurance too as they have a certain guide line from the manufacturer and if you try to exceed that then it's classed as a higher risk.

I may be well off here and this may not be what info your after but it's early lol and it's how your post read

Mikex

Rossy,

You are spot on.

I specifically did not specify what product I am interested in as I thought the same principle might apply with all parts.

Next question.

If I buy a part as being advertised as suitable for my vehicle would it be reasonable to expect the supplier to provide evidence to that effect so I can show my insurers.

Mike

Rossy.

Mikex wrote: »

Rossy,

You are spot on.

I specifically did not specify what product I am interested in as I thought the same principle might apply with all parts.

Next question.

If I buy a part as being advertised as suitable for my vehicle would it be reasonable to expect the supplier to provide evidence to that effect so I can show my insurers.

Mike

Mike what type of part are you after?

Mikex

Rossy,

I have a Land Rover Defender 110HT Puma in need of some new tyres. I have established it will be cheaper to buy a full set of wheels & tyres from an online dealer rather than replace just the tyres locally.

So I am after a complete set of 5 wheels & tyres.

The most popular aftermarket wheel advertised is a steel modular but there are alloy copies of Land Rover wheels and plenty others. The question remains the same. Are they suitable and approved and how can I provide evidence to my insurers?

The tyres are not so much a problem. They do have clearly identified markings giving size, load & speed etc

There are a number of recognised 4x4 suppliers. Craddock, Paddock, Simmonites, Devon 4x4, Camskill, Southam tyres etc who are all advertising wheel/tyres combinations as suitable. However in some cases they are advertising tyre sizes not recommended by Land Rover and that will affect the speedo.

There may be a standard certification of which I am unaware that insurance companies accept irrespective of the manufacturers preferences.

To reiterate it is the wheel I am concerned about. Not the tyre. I fully intend to stick to manufacturers recommendations regarding tyre size. There are a couple of possibilities but I have decided on 235/85 R16

Mike

Rossy.

To be honest Mike

Alloys are hit and miss with insurers because of the variables associated with them

Aftermarket alloy manufacturers HAVE to have their product safety verified with the relevant authorities to ensure safety etc.

However it's not to say that they can or would withstand the durability of the standard wheels provided by Land Rover for example. They do come with literature explaining safety and what safety board it's met but not all alloy "shops" include this or inform you.

Also insurers believe that an aftermarket alloy regardless of it's appearance makes it more desireable to be stolen so thus warrants a higher risk.

It's like winter tyres Mike. To us the motorist, they improve snow/ice grip but insurers tried to class it as a modification. Ideally insurers would have us re-fit worn tyres with the tyres that the car left the factory with, but again to some people it's not as easy due to cost.

Your best bet is to discuss the alloys with your insurer and see what they suggest. Like i say some insurers wack up your premium where as others don't

cyclonebri1

Just to keep this clear, it is not neccessary to use genuine manufacturers parts to maintain the makers waranty. They do hovever need to have been made to the correct specification. I'm thinking particularly oil, oil filter air filter etc, ie, service items.

Just something else the dealers promote to keep you in their hands for a few hundred pounds longer;).

I supose must people stick with the main dealer servicing to avoid any "possible" argument during waranty.

Mikex

Thanks Rossy & cyclonebri1,

I guess if it is OK to fit non standard air & oil filters etc providing they are made to the same specification the same will be true of wheels?

Rossi,

I am not really that interested in alloys. I am in fact more likely to go for steel.

You summed it up when you said.

"verified with the relevant authorities to ensure safety".

Thats it

Who are the relevant authorities and will my insurers accept their word?

Mike

Rossy.

Mikex wrote: »

Thanks Rossy & cyclonebri1,

I guess if it is OK to fit non standard air & oil filters etc providing they are made to the same specification the same will be true of wheels?

Rossi,

I am not really that interested in alloys. I am in fact more likely to go for steel.

You summed it up when you said.

"verified with the relevant authorities to ensure safety".

Thats it

Who are the relevant authorities and will my insurers accept their word?

Mike

You'll find that info either with whoever sells you the wheels. Or check the manufacturers website.

Whether your insurers accept that is down to them

skiddlydiddly

Why wouldn't they?People have been modifying cars as long as their have been cars.If the insurer takes your money after you declared the mod thats it.
Alloys really aren't much of a stumbling block with insurers, its more things like silly bodykits, rollcages and things that increase performance they can get picky over.

mikey72

Mikex wrote: »

Thanks Rossy & cyclonebri1,

I guess if it is OK to fit non standard air & oil filters etc providing they are made to the same specification the same will be true of wheels?

Rossi,

I am not really that interested in alloys. I am in fact more likely to go for steel.

You summed it up when you said.

"verified with the relevant authorities to ensure safety".

Thats it

Who are the relevant authorities and will my insurers accept their word?

Mike

There isn't one. You can replace most parts of your car with copy parts, and no-one will approve them, or needs to.
If it gets to the stage, such as a kit car, which can be a hybrid of several cars and parts, single vehicle approval is needed.
The inurance will agree to insure based on what you tell them and price accordingly.