If a MY07 STi is remapped with mods such as a fully decatted exhaust system, filter and uprated fuel pump is it necessary to declare the non visual modifications, ie the remap?

I have read on a few occasions that if warrenty work is to be carried out it is fine to transfer the exhaust system and filter back to standard and the remap on the ECU will not be recognised by dealers? Thereofore getting a remap will not invalidate your warranty at a Subaru dealership as it cannot be recognised?

If the remap cannot be recognised by Subaru dealers is it therefore necessary to declare it to your insurance company? As how would they ever pick it up if the worst happened?

If I am completely wrong here I have every intention to declare all including the remap. The only option from the insurance company is an 'engine chip', which a remap is not.

Bit of a weird one this, if anyone wants to enlighten me, feel free............

Cheers

G

 

Dealers get paid by the warranty company for any warranty work they do, so within reason they'd be doing themselves an injustice turning you away for having a few reasonable mods. Many turn a blind eye, but if the repair is very expensive (£4k for a new engine for example) then the warranty holder may well want to inspect the car themselves before authorizing the work. Ask people from your local area which dealers are easy going.

As for insurance, any changes from OE specification will invalidate your policy. Specialist insurers such as A-Plan and Keith Michaels, and a few of the more mainstream companies understand about performance mods. The big players don't really want your business which is why they haven't a clue generally. You could chance it, but in the event of a claim which could run into many £000's, it's only wise to expect them to be professional in verifying that their terms and conditions were met. Think about it, £25k possibly for your car, maybe one or more 3rd parties vehicles, several personal injury claims, medical and legal expenses etc etc. It can soon mount up to a lot of money, and if it were my business, one justifiably refused claim might pay the annual wage of an assessor !

 

aka delare everything and chance nothing even if it may slip through the net....

Cheers

G

 

Depends if it can be related or not i guess (and what your dealer is like) I've got exhaust and remap on mine and it recently went to the dealer for the rear struts doing under warrenty. They did it without question and i can't see how mapping would affect the suspension. Howe4ver, if you have it mapped and you blow the motor i doubt they'd honour it. Make sense?

5t.

 

Yeah absolutely.

I was just wondering if the actual remap could be picked up if the worst happened and the car was inspected thoroughly.

I have heard in places that certain remaps can only be picked up by certain individuals in the remapping industry, maybe completely incorrect...

Although if say an engine did go pop as a result of the remap surely it would be covered by the person/company who carried out the remap as do they not come with a decent warrany themselves?

G

 

I am pretty sure that anyone with ECUTek software and a laptop would be able to see whether a ECU had the ECUTek license on it and therefore had been remapped.

I have never heard of a mapper offering a warranty on a remap. That being said, I imagine the mappers with a good reputation, have earned that by mapping their customers cars well, so that the engines don't go pop.

 

Yes, must declare everything.

Yes, it's easy to see it's been mapped.

You should be able to find a dealer that is not fussed about the minor modifications for warranty work.

 

Its looking like it will cost me £500 extra on my premium to get this work done, which is mental!

G

 

Then you need to find a different insurer.

I declared my mods (performance panel filter, 3 port boost solenoid and remap) and it didn't cost me a penny more on my premium. That was with A-Plan.

 

this is true. The issue i'd have thought is if you do have a mechanical failure in the engine. As soon as that happens the dealer will say "it is because you've had it mapped" and TBH you wouldn't be able to prove otherwise.

Minor thing or issues with parts not affected by a remap shouldn't be a problem.

5t.

 

Hi There,

You MUST declare everything - no two ways about it. If the insurance company can't recognise the remap either a) go somewhere that does; likely they will charge you less too, b) get it in writing that they acknowledge that your car is rmapped, but have put down "chipped" as this reflects their system of modification categorisation. You don't want any grounds for questions should you have to claim.

Ns04

 

The insurer I went with (Bell) were by far the cheapest out of everyone but obviously do not like power modifications.

I'm 23 with 3 years NCB, 3 points for an SP30 and pay £1300 on a 2007 STi with full exhaust and front splitter both decleared. I didn't think I did too badly there considering A-Plan quoted £1800 and Keith Michaels wouldn't even touch me.

Looks like no remaps for me

G

 

I am surprised Keith Michael's won't give you a quote. They were lowest at £800 when I took out insurance with them on Friday.

I'm in a similar position at 26 - view my scooby for mods.

Maybe spend the money on suspension or breaks insted - this may not be so much to insure? Or a driver tuition?

Mike.

 

Had a 3 week driver course which came free due to the job I am in.

G

 

I suspect (compared to my own premium; late thirties , no convictions, lifetime history of no claims/no accidents) that you have a very good deal there! I will be trying Keith Michaels etc at renewal and expect to save a decent amount.

As others have said, declare all mods and pref have it road legal i.e sports cat instead of decat. Much better to know where you stand in the event of bad news.

Just my thoughts, DNC

 

Enjoy the car, drive carefully so your no claims bonus increases to the max and then, for your 25th birthday, MAP!!

 

Aye probably true, slightly disappointed though I must say, I was getting quite excited at the prospect.