In the UK, fitting aftermarket parts does not necessarily void a car’s warranty, especially under the EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation 461/2010. However, if a fault arises from the aftermarket part or its installation, the manufacturer can refuse warranty coverage for that specific issue. It’s crucial to check with the manufacturer or dealership before installing any aftermarket parts to understand potential warranty implications.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
General Rule:
- The EU Block Exemption Regulation prevents manufacturers from invalidating an entire warranty solely because of the use of aftermarket parts.
- This means you’re generally free to choose aftermarket parts without fear of losing your warranty on the entire vehicle.
Specific Considerations:
- Direct Causation: If a fault is directly linked to the aftermarket part or its installation (e.g., a faulty aftermarket exhaust causing engine damage), the warranty for that specific issue may be void.
- Equivalent Quality: If you use aftermarket parts, they should be of equivalent or better quality to the original equipment.
- Legal Restrictions: Any modifications that are illegal (e.g., overly bright under-car lights) could jeopardise your warranty, even if unrelated to the repair.
- Warranty Provider’s Guidance: It’s always best to check with your warranty provider (manufacturer or dealer) before making any modifications to understand specific implications for your vehicle and warranty coverage.
- Genuine vs. Aftermarket: While aftermarket parts may be cheaper, using them can potentially void the warranty for parts directly affected by the modification.
In essence, while fitting aftermarket parts won’t usually void your entire warranty, it’s essential to be aware of the potential risks and to ensure the modifications are carried out correctly and with parts of equivalent quality to avoid warranty disputes.
Towbars should not affect the vehicle warranty due to them being designed specifically to fit to the manufacturer’s specifications. This is presuming the tow bar has been fitted exactly to the manufacturer’s instructions.
From a tow bar electrics perspective, the fitting of a vehicle-specific dedicated wiring loom should not affect the vehicle warranty, as the parts will be of equivalent quality as Original Equipment Manufacturer parts (OEM parts) and will be fitted the same as the OEM towbar electrics. However, fitting universal or bypass electrics will invalidate any vehicle manufacturer’s warranty, this is because the parts are not equivalent to the OEM parts, and they are not fitted the same as OEM tow bar electrics.
Important Note: Always review your vehicle’s warranty terms and conditions for specific details regarding modifications and aftermarket parts.
Ultimate Towbars
Disclaimer… This information is for guidance only. Ultimate Towbars accepts no legal responsibility for any error in this guide..
