Buying A Second Hand Modified Car?

The car modding scene in the UK is a lively, vibrant and friendly scene to be involved in and it is a massive industry on which hundreds of millions of pounds are spent each year by dedicated modders in order to make their vehicle as special and unique as possible. If you're not much of a mechanic or you're not particularly handy with a set of spanners but still love modified cars it's really easy to buy great examples of well looked after and beautifully finished modified vehicles, but as with a purchase of any car, modified or not, there are a few tips that you should take into account when purchasing a second hand modified car, as well as important things to consider when insuring a modified car.

Before You Buy

Because modified cars are necessarily non-standard and filled with unique kits and personal tweaks, you'll want to make sure that everything is ship shape and that the car has been looked after properly. Many modders like to lower their vehicles so that they hug the road and strike and imposing sight, but if lowering is done incorrectly it can lead to damage to the tyres. Therefore the best way to see whether a car has been lowered beyond its limits is to look for unusual tyre damage which may have been caused by rubbing when turning corners. You'll also want to check the chassis for unusual wear and tear. If the car has been modded incorrectly or fitted with equipment that its chassis cannot cope with it could be distorted and dangerous to drive in which case you'll want to walk away from the car. Modified cars often have had some work done on the outside, with body kits fitted, panels replaced and anything from lights to wing mirrors purchased from an aftermarket dealer. Make sure that all of the bodywork has been fitted correctly and to a professional standard. If a vehicle looks too good to be true and is being sold at a low price it probably is, but if a person has clearly put blood, sweat and hundreds of quid into modifying their car it will generally shine through. If you're not particularly knowledgeable about the technical aspects of cars it is definitely worth getting a second opinion from a professional if you can, or using a well respected website to hook yourself up with well meaning people with modded cars to sell.

Modified Car Insurance

Often getting insurance for a modified car can be extremely difficult as modification is seen to either increase the value of the vehicle or compromise the roadworthiness, and particularly young drivers who want to modify and insure their cars will have problems unless they go through the right channels. The best thing to do is to get on the internet and use a car insurance comparison website. They'll do all the leg work for you and search through insurance brokers and companies who offer policies tailored to the needs of a modified car owner. Modifications can include anything from an exhaust system right down to a badge on the rear that claims your car has a larger engine than it does, and these are all factors that insurers will take into account, so be honest. Searching for a policy which covers not just the car itself but features specific to modified cars like expensive stereo equipment and engine components or alloy wheels is essential as modified cars are often key targets for thieves and you can't really put a price on piece of mind just as you can't put a price on the amount of effort many people put into their cars.