Modifications, insurance, the law.

[ljf12]

Firstly I am in no way judging or criticising anybody.

My question is this, if you do the normal performance modifications (including brake upgrades) to modern era cars (ecu tuning, intakes, exhausts etc) is the vehicle still legally registered. If it is not legally registered will any insurance company honour your policy in the event where they have to cough up.

I have recently been enquiring about modifying an XR6 turbo(injectors,cat back exhaust, tune etc). Correct me if I am wrong, I have now found out that if you modify you need to have every thing approved (passed by an authorised engineer ?) to legally register the vehicle , this includes meeting emission/ noise standards etc.

I then spoke to one of the firms that carry out these modifications, I asked them if approvals/permits are required, basically told no one bothers. I asked about insurance, was given the name of a company that cover modifications ( I am with SGIO ,they only say that the car must be legally registered ) Do insurance companies that cover modifications still cover them if they have not been approved ?

If as I understand you need legal approvals when you modify, should the firms that carry out the work notify the customer of the legal requirements for a street registered vehicle ( maybe they do before you go ahead, I only made some phone enquiries ).