Drivers who've made common change to car warned £380 has been wiped off value

Car modifications could see drivers lose £400, break Highway Code rules and impact insurance, it has been warned. Experts have warned that modifying a car can risk taking up to £380 off its total selling price with data showing that cars without any modifications sell for 97 per cent of their initial valuation.

It comes as nearly three in four drivers named at least one modification that they disliked while 89 per cent said they wouldn’t buy a car if they saw certain modifications fitted to it. Ian Reid, head of editorial at Carwow, said: “Modifying a car can be a fun way to add a bit of personalisation to your vehicle, but you should consider how this might impact things in the long run before you make any changes.”

Mr Reid added: “Not all mods are legal and some can invalidate your car insurance, so be sure to check the legislation around your preferred mods and whether they’ll be covered. If you plan to sell your car at a later date, remember that your modifications will probably deter a few buyers, likely having a negative impact on its value.

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“Some modifications are worse than others for this, so consider checking our list before deciding whether making the change will be worth it.” Mark Trimbee CEO of Regtransfers said: “Illegal modifications not only put you at risk, but they also pose a risk to the safety of other road users and pedestrians.

“If you’re planning to make any changes to your car, it’s important not to miss the step of researching restrictions to make sure your car remains legal and safe." Drivers under 25 were also highlighted as the least likely to be deterred by upgrades to a car.

Indeed, a fifth said a modification would not deter them from buying a motor.