Questions · Straight answers

Do I need to tell my insurer about a remap?

Yes. Insurers generally treat an ECU or gearbox remap as a modification that must be declared. Tell your insurer before the work and obtain their acceptance. An undeclared modification can give an insurer grounds to reduce or refuse a claim, or to cancel the policy.

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Why declaring matters

Insurance is priced on the information you give. A remap changes the vehicle's performance, so insurers want to know about it. If you make a claim and the insurer finds an undeclared modification, the consequences can be serious — not just for that claim but for future cover, as policies often ask whether you have had insurance cancelled.

What to ask your insurer

Some insurers will not cover remapped vehicles; specialist insurers may. Shop around before the work rather than after.

  • 01Do you accept remapped vehicles?
  • 02Does it matter whether it is engine, gearbox or both?
  • 03Will the premium or excess change?
  • 04Do you need any details of the work?

How we approach a remap

We start with suitability rather than a sales pitch. Before any calibration is written to a control unit we want to know the vehicle is healthy: existing fault codes, boost or fuelling problems, a slipping clutch, a worn gearbox or a blocked DPF all need to be dealt with first, because tuning is not a substitute for repair and can make an existing weakness more obvious.

Where the vehicle is supported we explain what the proposed calibration is intended to change, what checks are needed and what the agreed scope of work includes. We do not publish universal power, torque or fuel-economy figures, because results depend on the individual vehicle, its condition, its software and how it is driven. If a remap is not the right answer for your vehicle, we will tell you.

Getting an answer for your own vehicle

General answers only go so far. The honest answer to “Do I need to tell my insurer about a remap” for your vehicle depends on its engine, gearbox, software version, mileage, service history and how you use it. Two vehicles that look identical can behave quite differently, and a warning light or a previous modification can change the picture completely.

If you would like a vehicle-specific answer, send the registration with a short description of what you want to know. We will tell you what we can from the details, what would need checking at the workshop, and whether a visit is worthwhile — including when the answer is that the work is not right for your vehicle.

What to send us before booking a remap

The quickest way to get useful advice is to send the registration and a short description by WhatsApp or through the quote form. Support and suitability vary by engine, gearbox, control unit and software version, so a registration lets us check the right information instead of guessing. Any estimate given remotely is provisional until the vehicle has been seen and the required checks are complete.

  • 01Vehicle registration and approximate mileage
  • 02Make, model and engine size, if known
  • 03Any warning lights, messages, symptoms or fault codes
  • 04Existing remaps, tuning boxes or hardware modifications
  • 05How the vehicle is used — commuting, towing, short trips or heavy loads
  • 06Whether the vehicle is currently in limp mode or will not start

Visiting the workshop for a remap

All work is carried out at our single workshop at Unit 2, Lancaster Works, Kingsbridge Road, Manchester M9 5SP. We do not run a mobile remapping service and we have no other branches, so every a remap enquiry is booked into the same Manchester workshop. Visits are by arrangement: please call or WhatsApp before travelling so we can confirm the vehicle, the time and what the visit will involve.

Access is through the black gate. Call when you arrive so we can let you in, then keep left towards the rear of the site. We are open Monday to Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 8am–1pm, and closed on Sunday. If the vehicle is in limp mode, showing a serious warning or will not start, tell us before setting off so we can talk about whether it is sensible to drive it or whether transport should be arranged.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to declare a gearbox remap?

Treat it the same as an engine remap and declare it. Ask your insurer if unsure.

Will my premium go up?

It may. Some insurers make no change, some increase the premium, some decline.

Do I need paperwork from you?

If your insurer asks for details of the work, we can tell you what was carried out.

How much does a remap cost?

We do not publish fixed prices because the cost depends on the vehicle, the control unit, the work required and any diagnostic findings. Send your registration and details for a provisional estimate; the final quote is confirmed once the required checks have been completed.

How do I book a remap?

Send your registration, mileage and a short description by WhatsApp on 07480 657874, use the quote form, or call the workshop. We will check what is involved, then arrange a time for you to bring the vehicle to Unit 2, Lancaster Works, Kingsbridge Road, Manchester M9 5SP. Visits are by arrangement only.

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