Will a remap affect my warranty?

Here is the honest answer, which is not the one you will read on most tuning websites.

A remap is a modification of the manufacturer’s own software. If a component fails and the manufacturer believes the modification caused or contributed to that failure, it can decline the claim. That is a real risk and you should go into it knowing that.

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU BELIEVE

You will see the tuning trade claim that “Block Exemption makes it illegal for a manufacturer to void your warranty for a modification”. That is an overstatement. Block Exemption is competition law governing agreements between businesses. It says nothing about consumer warranties and nothing about modifications.

What the law actually does

The relevant UK law is the Competition Act 1998 (Motor Vehicle Agreements Block Exemption) Order 2023, SI 2023/501. It came into force on 1 June 2023 and ceases to have effect at the end of 31 May 2029. It replaced retained EU Regulation 461/2010, which expired at the end of 31 May 2023.

What it gives you is this. A manufacturer cannot make main-dealer servicing or its own branded parts a condition of keeping your warranty. Independent garages are entitled to the same technical information, tools and training as authorised repairers. So having your car serviced by us does not, by itself, put your warranty at risk.

What it does not do is stop a manufacturer refusing a claim on a part your modification damaged.

A remap is detectable

Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Volkswagen Group has flagged modified vehicles on its online dealer system as TD1 since 2013, and other manufacturers run their own checks. Assume a dealer can see it.

What we do about it

• Removal back to standard is free if you bring the car to us, so you can present it standard for a dealer visit.
• If a dealer update wipes your map, we re-read and rewrite it free of charge under our lifetime software support.
• We hold liability insurance with Aviva covering our work, including tuning, remapping, dyno work, servicing and driving customers’ vehicles. To be clear, that covers our workmanship. It is not a substitute for a manufacturer warranty and it does not underwrite a manufacturer’s decision on a claim.

If your car is young and still under a full manufacturer warranty, think about the trade-off before you book. Ask us and we will talk it through with you.