Will installing aftermarket parts void my warranty?

February 01, 2022

We love car warranties, especially if they are bumper-to-bumper and last for a few years. We also love modifying our vehicles which immediately raises the question, “Will installing aftermarket parts void my warranty?” We break down the answer here so you can replace parts on your car with peace of mind and know you are still covered by your warranty.

What WILL void your car warranty

Warranties often state that car parts not meeting OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) requirements will void the warranty. As you might know, the fun part of car warranties is how many gray areas there are… So let’s see what voids your warranty for sure and what doesn’t. 

If your car gets totalled in an accident and is a write-off, your warranty is void. Next, if your vehicle is “misused”, you can also be refused coverage of services at the dealership. For example, if you take your car racing and damage the brakes, the warranty is likely to say there was excessive wear and refuse to perform the service. 

Finally, your warranty can be voided for specific parts—if, for example, you neglect to go in for your scheduled maintenance for your brakes or oil change and they suffer damage as a consequence. The repair service won’t be covered because the owner’s neglect is to blame, not the original vehicle. 

Dealerships also become suspicious of drivers who modify their vehicles or install aftermarket parts because it can be connected to racing, classified as a misuse of the vehicle. And, your warranty may be void, either totally, or for a specific part, if your aftermarket parts aren’t installed correctly or cause failure to other parts. So make sure you approach your tuning carefully.

Car modifications that won’t void your warranty

People often think that any and all modifications and aftermarket parts will immediately void the car warranty but that’s simply not true! In fact, there ARE things you can do safely to your car and still enjoy both the fun of it and the warranty. Modifying your vehicle or having an aftermarket part is not an immediate void. While some dealerships will try to scare you into not getting any modifications, the only way you can actually be denied warranty service is if it can be proven that a new part caused undue damage.

To keep your warranty, ensure your modifications are installed properly and your vehicle can withstand the extra power you are adding, for example. Try to be proactive here—keep your warranty by protecting your car from undue damage by also upgrading the brakes if you are upgrading the turbo. And, don’t cheap out on parts, so you don’t compromise the integrity of the vehicle. 

In summary, establish a good relationship with your dealer, get your aftermarket parts from a reputable company, do your research, get them installed by a professional mechanic, and you should be able to keep your warranty!