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Who wants to be the same as everyone else? There’s a deep satisfaction in driving something that’s uniquely yours and expresses who you are, whether that’s a lover of sophistication or of neon yellow vinyl wrap.

The learning

There’s a lot we can all learn from working on our cars. Hopefully that learning isn’t through expensive trial and error, but rather through hours of careful research and learning from those who have already created modified masterpieces.

The community

Between online forums and car meets, there’s an undeniable community of car lovers who also say enough is never enough. Newbie car modders can learn from those who have bravely modified before, and there’s always someone who understands why that new exhaust system takes priority over groceries.

On the other side of the coin, there are of course:

The potential cons and risks of car mods

As we touched on earlier, there are a few clear downsides to keep in mind before taking on a major car mod project.

The cost

Car mods can be a slippery slope, and before you know it you might have sunk the cost of another small car into your daily driver. By the time you’re spending with the big guns, you potentially could have just bought a better car for the same money.

The warranties and insurance worries

When you mess with a stock car that’s been thoughtfully engineered, you could be messing with that car’s safety, performance or reliability. That’s why manufacturers and insurers are both a little wary of car mods. Modifications can sometimes void or affect the vehicle's warranty, and make it more difficult to insure. Some significant mods can also be straight-up illegal, such as extra-dark tints and super-loud exhaust systems.

The impact on buying and selling

Buying a modified car is a little like buying a house that someone else renovated – you never know quite what’s under the surface. Car mods don’t always add market value, and some owners will even revert their mods before selling. When buying, most people look for second-hand cars that are as close to brand-new factory condition as possible. In fact here at Carma we don’t even consider buying modified used cars, because we’re all about selling high-quality cars with full transparency about service histories and condition.

So if you’re planning major mods, just consider your long-term selling plans before you make any irreversible changes.

The verdict on car mods: worth it or not?

The fact of the matter is that people modify their cars simply because they love doing it. There’s a joy in driving something that reflects us and is shaped to our preferences.

Some car mods are logical, and others are less so, but there’s an undeniable appeal in optimising and personalising. Just be sure to weigh up those pros and cons before you take the dive.

And if you ever do feel like a swish car upgrade without all those pricey aftermarket purchases, there’s always Carma.