Are these classed as modifications?

bbk87

I apologise in advance if this sounds stupid but....

I bought my car from a garage 2.5 years ago.

It is a Clio 1.4 16v Dynamique - 2006 reg.

I took my car in as the exhaust had dropped. I was told that the exhaust I have didn't come with the car, and is an aftermarket part - firstly do I need to tell my insurers about this?

Secondly, how do I find out whether the spoiler and alloy wheels were a part of the car? (The alloys are Renault alloys so assume they would be). The car has extra such as AC with in the car as well so I don't think it was the basic model car.

Would I need to tell the insurers that I have the spoiler and alloys that they are modification, or that they came with the car as like an optional extra?

How do I even find out whether these were optional extras that the first owner bought. I don't have the original first owners receipt.

Thanks in advance for any help!

arcon5

By after market, you mean pattern part or performance piece?

atrixblue.-MFR-.

Theres already an FOS ruling on this, highlighted under customer state of mind-Innocent http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/46/46_non_disclosure_insurance.htm

forgotmyname

Some insurers are worse regards modifications. One quote i got they asked if the car had any factory fitted options. How would the average person know that on a 5 year old used car?

I mentioned a few items just to amuse myself, knowing full well they would not have a clue what was standard or factory fit. It just made me think there was no way this insurance company would pay out in the event of a claim, without a fight.

AdrianC

If the exhaust is a standard-spec replacement, then it's not a mod. If it's a "performance" exhaust, with bigger bore and a big back box designed to be louder, then it's a mod.

As for the spoiler/alloys - google for images of 2006 Clio Dynamique (there's plenty), and see if they differ from them. Google suggests the standard tyre size is 185/60 15, but check in your handbook or on the tyre pressure label on the car.

Rodders53

forgotmyname wrote: »

How would the average person know that on a 5 year old used car?

If it's a Ford you can - by using their https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do lookup system...

Really useful to find out the 'as built' spec. of a second hand car.

Other makers may have similar systems? perhaps?

rs65

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

Theres already an FOS ruling on this, highlighted under customer state of mind-Innocent http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/ombudsman-news/46/46_non_disclosure_insurance.htm

Worth noting that insurance law has changed since 2005.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

rs65 wrote: »

Worth noting that insurance law has changed since 2005.

as far as I'm aware there is no insurance law, only policy and guidelines, and it still doesn't change the fact that it would still apply today that if someone knows nothing about cars and buys one with what they think is standard equipment but turns out not to be after an accident the insurers would be wrong to cancel the policy.

rs65

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

as far as I'm aware there is no insurance law, only policy and guidelines, and it still doesn't change the fact that it would still apply today that if someone knows nothing about cars and buys one with what they think is standard equipment but turns out not to be after an accident the insurers would be wrong to cancel the policy.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/6/contents/enacted

There is insurance law (and there has been for a long long time). Have a read of the link above, particularly the effect on the Marine Insurance Act 1906.

It tackles misrepresentation and duty of disclosure.

patman99

When an insurance company asks me whether or not the car is factory spec., I always cover myself by answering with "not to the best of my knowledge".

This then implies that I am not aware of what the vehicle would, or would not have had fitted when it left the factory.

Hochiminh

I hope you don't mind me hijacking this thread, but I have a similar question and thought it would be better to post here than starting a new thread. I just changed the badge on my BMW, it was pretty worn. I got a custom made badge and glued it on, I initially thought this was so trivial it wouldn't affect my insurance, now I'm not sure. On top of this I replaced the vent grilles on the front, and took off the '318i' chrome letters from the back and added some custom ones.

Thanks for any help.