Modding Cars Affect Resale?

panthro · 5 Jul 2006 at 22:42

Does modding a car affect its resale value?

Example

If I put:
Pipercross Viper, Full SS System inc decat, new camshafts (high lift/fast road etc) and a new ECU all done as tastefully as possible, would I get the same value for my car, as I would if it was standard? I dont expect to get more for it if it was modded.

Any thoughts?

ScoobyDoo69 · 5 Jul 2006 at 22:44

maybe a touch more from an enthusiast of the car who wanted those bits.. but otherwise I think you would get same as standard?

Beerbaron · 5 Jul 2006 at 22:49

if a car is done well and holds its value then you will probably get more for it but if its a nova with its neons and big bore 4 then you probably wont sell it for much.

SB118 · 5 Jul 2006 at 22:52

panthro said:
... Pipercross Viper, Full SS System inc decat, new camshafts (high lift/fast road etc) and a new ECU...

Having these parts fitted would imply (to me) that you're a racey driver and the car has been absolutley hammered. Unless you're selling to another racer it would lower the price.

MrSix · 5 Jul 2006 at 23:10

SB118 said:
Having these parts fitted would imply (to me) that you're a racey driver and the car has been absolutley hammered. Unless you're selling to another racer it would lower the price.

^^

panthro · 5 Jul 2006 at 23:18

SB118 said:
Having these parts fitted would imply (to me) that you're a racey driver and the car has been absolutley hammered. Unless you're selling to another racer it would lower the price.

I guess I can see what you mean. I just want more power. Doesnt mean I am going to thrash my car to within an inch of its life, as its pretty immaculate inside and out. Any potential buyer would see this. Its also completely standard at the moment and I have no intentions on doing anything with it except those power mods.

Morba · 5 Jul 2006 at 23:24

the best way to make money on the car when selling, is to remove as many mods as possible and sell separately.

mods generally do not add value to a car unless you can find a buyer who wants it in that state.
also, some mods will lessen the amount of people who would be interested in your car!

milgo · 5 Jul 2006 at 23:32

All depends on the car really. If its a fast car originally its likely most have been driven hard and so these mods done correctly are a bonus. A lot of cars just have a ceiling price whether they are modified or standard.

Berger · 6 Jul 2006 at 02:15

Would put a standard buyer off unless its a performance car, if it was a 200sx or something you expect to be modified to a slight extent, then maybe a little extra or a normal figure for a unmodified version.

Otherwise less, gives poor image and is harder to insure.

Minxy · 6 Jul 2006 at 06:58

I've hung onto all my standard pieces so that I can rip my mods off and plonk the standard bits straight back on when I come to sell it.

It means I should be able to get rid of it much easier than if it was modified. I'd never buy a modded car myself because a) Its likely to have had a chav attack when being driven and b) Because I'd rather make my own mark on a car.

MNuTz · 6 Jul 2006 at 07:13

What car are you thinking of modding?

Anything family or learner style cars would actually lower the value ot the car, performance or enthusiast cars on the other hand it would be a bonus as long as you A) Had the reciepts B) Had them fitted by a professional and C) had the car setup properly after doing the mods.

Trickle · 6 Jul 2006 at 07:22

The cost of getting them fitted by a proffessional would dwarf the saving if any, on the resale value.

It doesnt change the principal reasons why mods dont raise the value on a performance car. Smaller audience, fear of lack of reliability and evidence of being driven harder than average.

Edit: Been thinking about it and it probably does help if you have a recognised tuners name at the time of sale to quote mods done by.

schnipps · 6 Jul 2006 at 08:56

Totally depends on the car and how you intent to move it on, if you even have an slight suspicion you may part-ex it then either dont bother or be prepared to change it all back, as you will either just get book price or less because joe bloggs doesnt want a tinkered with car, in fact most people dont. If you intent to sell it privately then its different but even then i would change most stuff back, unless its a sale to an enthusiast, thats the only time mods may pay more.

When i had my mk4 golf i fitted 17" santa monica wheels and took the factory 15" gti wheels off. When i came to part ex it the price was the same with or without the wheels.

D4VE · 6 Jul 2006 at 09:02

Yeah depends on a car. Obviously a modded Cossie or Skyline is still going to sell and is probably better than a standard one, but I had a hell of a time selling my modded 414SLi because most people who want those dont want mods.