Vehicle upgrades used to be a way to improve some of the interior or exterior features of a car, making it look sound or equipped with safety features. However, over the past few years, car upgrade has been taken to a new height, with many upgrading vehicles from 2001 to a 2020 model.
This might sound like an interesting project to embark upon until you realize the risk factor involved with upgrading a vehicle that is over 5 years old or more. The only pro of upgrading a vehicle is to enhance its features, making it look modern. However, its cons outweigh the pros.
In this article, we share with you some of the major risks associated with upgrading your vehicle today and some of the most dangerous car upgrades that must to avoided at all costs.
Common Risk Factors Associated With Upgrading Your Car in Nigeria
Car upgrade involves finetuning the interior and exterior features of an older model vehicle to, using vehicle kits to appear as the newer models. During a car upgrade, the professionals purchase spare car parts for the newer model versions of a vehicle, fitting it to the older model to give it a modern feel.
Even car manufacturers upgrade vehicles. For instance, that’s why you would see a 2010 Lexus ES, having some slight differences from the 2013 model. However, car manufacturers don’t just upgrade vehicles to newer models, they also develop newer technologies to ensure smooth and safe operation of the vehicles.
But, most Nigerian professionals have blown car upgrades out of proportion, with many focusing on the looks of the vehicle, without anything being done to enhance the tech features of the vehicle.
While car upgrades cannot be completely discouraged, there are some major disadvantages associated with them. They include:
- Loss of Car’s Value
Upgrading a car eats into the vehicle’s value automatically. This means the resell value of that vehicle significantly drops. Before buyers purchase a used car, a thorough inspection is carried out, and the moment it’s realized that the vehicle has undergone major upgrades, the price drops. Not everyone is interested in purchasing a vehicle that looks 2020 externally but 2009 internally.
However, there are cars that undergo facelifts are it doesn’t affect their market price. Why? Because they were done carefully or because it wasn’t a major facelift. As such, if you’ll be doing a car upgrade in Nigeria, ensure you’re not going overboard and that you’re working with an experienced professional.
- Difficulty in Car Reselling
Not only does the value drop, but it becomes difficult to resale an upgraded vehicle. Most cars with the worst resale value often sell faster than upgraded cars in Nigeria. The reality is that anyone who wants to purchase a used car in Nigeria won’t think of upgraded cars as their first option.
- The Vehicle Suffers Some Deformity
Upgrading a car beyond 8 years means that many parts of the car have to be cut to accommodate the new body kit. For instance, upgrading a 2008 Toyota Hilux to the 2016 model. To achieve the end result, a lot of cutting and welding happens at the back of the car to accommodate the new bumper and light. The harmful effect of this is that it reduces the safety rating of your vehicle.
- The Vehicle Losses a Chance of Becoming a Classic
One thing about classic cars is that they are nostalgic, and most people purchase them for this very reason. Upgrading a 2008 vehicle to a 2023 model forces it to lose the chance of one day becoming a classic that someone could purchase and add to their collection. Why? There’s no guaranteed longevity for upgraded cars as they break down after a while.
Car Upgrades You Must Avoid Doing
After considering all the above-listed risks involved with upgrading your vehicle and still wishing to carry on with it, here are the top car upgrades you must avoid at all costs. These upgrades are dangerous and could result in serious car damage or even loss of life.
- Upgrading Car Dashboard
Avoid anything that involves entirely changing your vehicle’s dashboard to achieve the interior look of the newer model. This practice is not only bad but has serious consequences. When changing your dashboard, you tamper heavily with the onboard wiring system of your car, which could lead to a lot of error codes on your dashboard which results in a very faulty car at the end of the upgrade.
Dashboard upgrade is common in Mercedes-Benz and Lexus cars upgraded in Nigeria, where owners want a similar dashboard and cockpit as the newest model. It might look nice, but it never ends well.
- Cutting Out Car Parts
Any car upgrade that requires you to cut the metal parts of your car is dangerous. Cutting off a car’s chassis or skeleton reduces the safety rating of the vehicle. Not only would the vehicle be exposed to possible road accidents, but the car would also be prone to catching fire.
Conclusion
Car upgrades can seem irresistible to some. But, it comes with a lot of consequences. Instead of upgrading your car, resulting in serious issues, it’ll be better to redecorate the interior of your vehicle with accessories, and probably repaint the vehicle to make it look neater, and presentable.
