Modifying your car helps make it feel more uniquely yours, with personal touches and upgrades you find desirable. However, selling a car with modifications has a stigma of difficulty around it. In fact, many people question whether or not you can sell a modified car to a dealership as a trade-in. In this blog, we’ll run through our top tips on how to sell a modified car, including whether or not the alterations will impact your car’s value or not. If you’re wondering where to sell a modified car, AutoFlip has experience selling all kinds of vehicles to our vast network of licensed dealers.
What is The Meaning of a Car Modification?
Modifying your car involves changing it in some way so that it meaningfully differs from the manufacturer’s specification. Almost any part of a car can be modified in some way, including the engine, interior, suspension and paintwork.
What Counts as a Car Modification?
Examples of commonly-applied car modifications include:
Engine upgrades or swaps
Paint colour changes
Suspension swaps
Radio and speaker upgrades
Wheel and/or tyre upgrades
Lighting upgrades
Bull bar fitment
What Doesn’t Count as a Car Modification?
Alterations you make to your car with the aim of maintaining or restoring it generally are not classed as modifications. They include:
Rebuilding an original engine
Painting your car its original colour
Fitting new old stock parts
Replacing consumable mechanical parts
Retro-fitting optional equipment available on your car
Adding period-correct accessories to classic cars
Performing scheduled maintenance and repairs
How Does a Modification Affect a Car’s Value?
Modifications to your car can either positively or negatively impact its value. Generally, subjective aesthetic modifications are less desirable to secondhand car buyers than those which appreciably improve performance, safety, efficiency or convenience. There are a number of reasons for this:
Market demand: A modified car will usually have a smaller market demand than a standard model, especially if drastic changes have been made to its appearance or engine. This can reduce the value of your vehicle.
Roadworthiness: Major modifications that impact the driveability of your car, or require engineering certification for it to remain road-legal, can have a negative impact on your car’s resale value.
Performance: Engine, suspension and tyre upgrades that increase your car’s performance or efficiency without hampering driveability or reliability have the potential to increase your car’s value.
Ease of operation: Fitment of optional accessories like air conditioning, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay can make your vehicle worth more to buyers looking for modern technology in their next vehicle.
Safety: Modifications made in the interest of safety can also have a positive effect on the value of your vehicle.
How to Sell a Modified Car
When selling a car that has been modified, there are a number of extra considerations that should be factored into the process:
Determine a selling price: Pricing a modified car on the used market is more difficult than a standard vehicle. Look at prices for other modified cars in the market, and consider obtaining an instant offer or other form of professional valuation.
Compile all relevant documents: In addition to the usual paperwork we recommend you include with the sale, you may also want to compile invoices that authenticate the modifications you have made.
Have modifications certified: If your car’s modifications require certification in order for the vehicle to remain roadworthy, carry out the process before the sale.
Determine the best place to sell your car: When choosing where to sell a modified car, think about the best platforms for a guaranteed sale. For a smooth and easy sale to a genuine buyer, choose AutoFlip’s hassle-free car selling process.
Sell Your Modified Car With AutoFlip
If you’re left wondering how to sell a modified car, AutoFlip can help. Regardless of how your vehicle has been modified, our online sales process makes selling any car for cash a quick and easy exercise. Submit your vehicle’s details with us today and learn how to sell a modified car the right way with AutoFlip.
