Benefits (and trade-offs) of body kits
Body kits can be a high-impact mod. The benefits are real, but they’re not free—daily usability, insurance and maintenance all change once the car is lower and wider.
Styling and presence
A well-fitted kit modernises the car’s lines, cleans up proportions, and makes a build look “finished”. This is the main reason most UK owners install one.
Fitment potential
Wide arches can enable wider wheels/tyres, which can improve mechanical grip. But only if the suspension setup and alignment match the new footprint.
Aero potential
Splitters, canards and diffusers can add stability at speed. For genuine aero gains, the underbody needs support and parts must sit at the correct height/angle.
More parts = more edges, fasteners and paint lines. Expect extra cleaning, occasional re-tightening, and more caution around kerbs and ramps.
What changes day-to-day
- Approach angles become tighter (front lips scrape first).
- Stone chips and road debris impact lower edges.
- Winter grit can dull finishes (wax/ceramic helps).
- Car washes: avoid catching edges with pressure nozzles.
Does a kit help resale value?
In the enthusiast market, a quality branded kit fitted and painted properly can increase appeal. In mainstream resale, modifications often narrow the buyer pool. Keeping receipts, photos of the install, and using reputable parts helps.
If resale matters, favour OEM+ styling and reversible mounting where possible.
Finish quality matters
