While EVs are not the most modifiable cars on the market, there are several ways that you can modify your EV to improve its comfort, performance, or aesthetics.

However, aftermarket modification choices can (and usually do) affect the resale value of your EV.

In this blog post, we’ll look at what defines an aftermarket mod, how mods can affect the value of your EV, and how to sell a modded EV for the best price.

What are Aftermarket Mods?

Let’s start by looking at the definition of aftermarket modifications for EVs.

Definition of an Aftermarket Modification (Aftermarket vs OEM)

First, an aftermarket mod is any modification that you make (or pay someone else to make) to the original build of your vehicle after it leaves the factory, typically from parts that are not made by the vehicle’s manufacturer (non-OEM). This can look like a window tint, a Paint Protection Film (PPF) wrap, changing out textile upholstery for leather, or even something as simple as a tire swap.

Aftermarket modifications for electric vehicles can also include performance-focused mods like suspension enhancements, wheel sets, brake kits, and (occasionally) controllers that can tune up motor torque or enhance regenerative braking.

Mods vs Accessories

An accessory, even if it is something you plan on selling along with your car, probably won’t be considered a modification unless it alters the structure or performance of the car.

For example, storage solutions to your EV that are easily moved in and out of the car (like a Tesla frunk organizer) would be considered an accessory.

However, a new set of aftermarket tires would be considered a modification even though they are easily swapped out because they do affect performance and appearance. And, obviously, you can’t use the car without them.

How Can Aftermarket Mods Affect an EV’s Value?

The short answer: modding your EV (either with aftermarket or with OEM parts) can increase or reduce your EVs value up to 25% of the modification’s actual cost.

For the long answer, we’ve broken down mod costs and possible added value into the sections below.

But before we get into the details about how much EV mods cost, we do want to point out that if an aftermarket mod voids your electric vehicle’s warranty, the effect on your EV’s used value may be significant.

We highly recommend that you make sure that you understand the change in value that could occur with any aftermarket mod that negates your EV warranty’s terms and conditions. Anything that includes cutting, wiring, or tuning is at risk of being cited as a reason for denying warranty coverage in the case of a vehicle failure. Make sure to read your EV manufacturer’s original warranty terms to get a better idea of which aftermarket mods may cause an issue with your warranty coverage.

Note: a discussion of warranties and whether or not aftermarket mods should or shouldn’t affect them is a deeper subject than we are able to address here. To dive into the debate about what a manufacturer should or shouldn’t be able to do regarding your EV’s warranty, you can search for discussions on the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (like this one from Consumer Reports).

How Much Are Aftermarket Mods Worth on Used EVs?

Do aftermarket mods add any value to your EV? The short answer: typically not a lot, but it depends. As a general rule, anything that changes the stock condition of a car tends to reduce its value in the eyes of many buyers.

An exception to this rule would be mods that enhance performance on a car that is already popular for its performance characteristics, provided that you can show the modification work has been done professionally (and has not been put to heavy use).

The bottom line is that the perceived value of a modded car will vary widely from buyer to buyer even on the private market.

Let’s take a closer look at how manufacturers, dealerships, and private buyers tend to value aftermarket car mods:

Modification Value for Manufacturer Trade-In: Tesla and Rivian

At the time of writing, both Tesla and Rivian have trade-in programs that would allow you to put your modified EV’s price towards the order of one of their new (or pre-owned) vehicles.

However, the value of a modified EV will almost always suffer in these transactions.

Tesla explicitly states that all aftermarket modifications (especially if the vehicle you are trading in is a Tesla) will reduce the value of your vehicle vs a stock-condition vehicle. In fact, some Tesla owners report that their Tesla’s trade-in value (from Tesla) was reduced by the thousands for common mods like PPF and powder-coated brake calipers

Rivian is a bit more vague on their trade-in terms, but they would likely follow typical dealership pricing practices. Your EV mods would likely bring down your vehicle’s value for a trade-in transaction with Rivian, no matter how well-installed or expensive it was.

How Much are EV Mods Worth at a Dealership (Cash Sale or Trade-In)?

Like trading-in to Rivian or Tesla, most modified electric vehicles would take a hit in value at a dealership versus a stock-conditioned car. The best prices from dealerships tend to be for stock-condition cars with low mileage.

However, some EV modifications may be value neutral or somewhat positive to the right dealership. For example, a dealership that focuses on EVs might consider it a bonus for a Tesla Model 3 to already have PPF on the rockers (a known problem area), especially if the work was done professionally and recently.

But remember: even from a knowledgeable dealership, you may only get a small percentage of your original investment back for the mod, even if you paid quite a bit to purchase it and/or have it installed (see the private sale discussion below).

How Much Are EV Mods Worth in a Private Sale?

How much you can get for EV mods in a private sale varies widely by the type of mod and the kind of buyer you end up attracting. Let’s look at the vehicle mods we priced earlier to get a better idea of how they affect the selling price of your EV:

Paint Protection Film (PPF)

A full, professional installation of paint protection film (PPF) on an EV can cost anywhere from $1,000-$9,000, though most quotes average around $4,000-$5,000.

For a smaller install of PPF, such as on the rockers or front bumper, prices hover around $500-$1,500.

DIY PPF, while not recommended, costs only as much as the actual film. This could be as little as $200 for smaller installs all the way up to $2,000 or more for the entire car.

Possible return on investment: + 10% to + 15% of the PPF install

For the right buyer, PPF can be a bonus, especially if the film was applied recently and by a professional. If a full wrap on your EV cost you around $5,000, then the added value to your used price would be about $500-$750.

Not all buyers will be interested in PPF as an added feature, especially for those just looking for a commuter or family EV that fits into their budget. Your EV may take longer to sell if you insist on making back some of your investment in PPF (especially if you’ve done it more for aesthetics than practicality). For example, that frosted wrap may be very visually important to you, but your buyers likely won’t rank it very high on their list of “must-haves” when buying a used EV.

EV Brake Upgrades

Aftermarket brake upgrades for EVs can cost anywhere from $500-$1,000 for brake system components all the way up to $20,000 carbon-ceramic brake packages for the track.

Possible return on investment: + 10% to + 15% of the parts and installation cost

While upgraded brakes aren’t a significant factor for most buyers of EVs, there is a possibility that you could get some return for your investment from the racing crowd. Even so, because brakes are certainly a wear and tear item, you’ll probably only get a small amount back considering what you paid.

For example, an $8,000 brake upgrade (the current cost for a carbon-ceramic front big brake kit for the Model Y) may only add around $800-$1,200 to your vehicle’s value.

Electric Vehicle Suspension Mods

Suspension mods are the most widely available performance mods for electric vehicles, and they tend to cost anywhere from $300-$600 for components like sway bars and spring sets to $2,000-$4,000 for full suspension coil-over kits.

Possible return on investment: + 5% to + 10% OR – 10% to – 20% of the parts and installation cost

People have strong opinions about how a suspension should feel. What may feel firm and sporty to you could feel downright uncomfortable to someone else.

For buyers who like the feel of the aftermarket suspension in your EV, you might make back a small amount of your purchase price (especially if the installation was done professionally). For a $3,000 job, that’s just $150-$300 added to the price of your EV.

However, be prepared to also see the value of your EV go down in the eyes of buyers looking for the stock suspension. For a $3,000 mod, that could be a possible loss of $300-$600 from your selling price.

Cost of Aftermarket Wheels and Tires for EVs

Tires are a special item for EVs, with most costing from $100-$500 each. On average, a good EV tire from a respected brand is going to cost about $250 (or $1000 for a full set).

Aftermarket wheels for EVs easily cost $1,500-$8,000 for a set, with an average price of about $2,000.

Possible return on investment: + 10% to + 20% of the wheel and/or tire replacement

We’d say it’s best to stick with a well-known name brand set of tires for EVs, particularly if you want them to add some value to your EV in a sale.

For a good set of tires, you can expect up to 10% of the price added to your EVs value, particularly if they are still in excellent condition. Also, selling a set of winter tires along with your vehicle may net you up to 20% of your original cost.

Aftermarket wheel sets for your EV should increase value in a similar way to tires, but there are exceptions. For example, if the wheel set is, let’s say, wildly original or just doesn’t match the aesthetic of the stock vehicle design, then you may end up detracting from the value of your EV. If you don’t have the stock set of wheels to sell along with your car, your potential buyers may be thinking about how much it will cost them to get those aftermarket wheels replaced.

EV Reupholstery Pricing

Most EVs are new enough that the upholstery should still be in decent condition, so an upholstery mod is usually aesthetic in nature. Switching from faux leather to textile (or vice versa) costs around $250-$700 per seat.

Reupholstering in genuine leather brings up the price to somewhere around $5,000-$10,000 depending on the size of the car and the type of leather you choose to have installed.

Possible return on investment: – 20% to + 5%  of the reupholstering cost

Like so many other mods, an upholstery upgrade or modification is a very personal choice and doesn’t necessarily appeal to buyers in a way that adds value. Stock upholstery is best in most cases.

While it can cost you a great deal to have upholstery work done, the best return you’ll likely get is around 5% of the modification’s price. But even that number is optimistic; your upholstery choices may also drop the value of your vehicle by as much as 20% of the reupholstering price.

EV Window Tinting Prices

Window tinting is a popular way to increase EV cooling efficiency (and passenger comfort) and costs anywhere from $300 for a few windows and up to $1,500 for a high quality tint (typically ceramic film) on all windows.

Possible return on investment: + 0% to + 20%  of the tint installation

Unless the tint on your EV was done poorly or is extremely dark, window tinting can either be value neutral or positive for an EV. Most people don’t mind a little window tinting, especially if it was done professionally.

For a well-done tinting job, you might be able to add up to 20% of the mod’s price to the sales value of your EV. That’s about $300 for the high-quality, $1,500 tinting job we mentioned.

EV Spoiler and Body Kit Price Range

Depending on the extent of the exterior changes you are making to your EV, body modifications can cost anywhere from $900-$15,000.

Possible return on investment: – 20% to + 10%  of the parts and installation cost

Like any other aesthetic choice on a vehicle, spoilers and body kits will only hold value to you and to similarly-minded buyers. You may be able to get up to 10% on a body kit purchase (maybe $500 for a $5,000 purchase), but this will largely depend on the kind of buyer you are attracting.

Body kits may help you improve the efficiency of your EV, but let’s be honest: most of them are installed to achieve a certain aesthetic. For instance, most of the Mustang Mach-E body mods we’ve seen—spoilers, fender flares, diffusers—give the Mach-E a more aggressive visual stance, but they don’t realistically improve your track performance (or your range).

A word of caution if you’re on the fence about getting EV body mods: many people may assume that if your EV looks like a racecar, it’s probably been driven like a racecar (and likely has the wear and tear to prove it). This perception can negatively impact your selling price rather than boost it.

EV Custom Paint Jobs

A custom paint job on an EV typically costs between $1,500 to $3,500 for quality work on a single color, but can run up into the tens of thousands if you’re looking for something truly unique or artistic.

Possible return on investment: – 25% to + 3% of upgrade’s MSRP

A custom paint job, whether or not it was done for aesthetics or just to replace old paint, doesn’t typically add any value to your EV. In many cases, a custom color can hurt your EV’s value by up to 25% of the paint job’s original cost.

Note: If you haven’t already changed the color of your EV, be sure to look into body wraps first to see if they will meet your needs for a custom color. Wraps are typically removable (and less expensive) and come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and even textures. Want to make your Tesla look like a cell-shaded cartoon? There’s a wrap job for that.

EV Audio Upgrades

Aftermarket audio equipment has a wide price range, with components starting at less than $100 up to insanely-priced systems that can cost nearly as much as your EV. The average cost of a good EV aftermarket sound system runs at around $1,000-$3,000.

Possible return on investment: – 10% to + 10%  of upgrade’s MSRP

Let’s be honest, the audio equipment in today’s EVs is more than adequate for most people’s needs. Only buyers who are also dedicated audiophiles will be interested in paying extra for your choice of a sound system upgrade (and only if it matches their own preferences). You may be waiting a while to sell your EV if you want to get any value for your audio mods.

The Best Way to Sell an EV with Aftermarket Mods

While trading-in your modified EV may streamline the process of getting a new car, it’s almost never going to get you as much value as selling a modded EV for cash.

One of the easiest ways to sell a modified EV for a good price is to a dealership with real EV experience. But how will you know which dealerships even know how to charge an EV? And interviewing dealerships to see if they know what a Rivian R1S is worth or how to value a Ford F-150 Lightning sounds like a hassle to us.

So we did the interviews for you (you’re welcome!). Meet the EV Cash Offer network!

Our EV Cash Offer puts you in touch with a network of EV dealerships that we’ve personally vetted and verified. They know what your EV’s aftermarket mods are worth and are ready to make you a no-obligation, cash offer.

But there is one more way to sell your modded electric car, and we’d even say it’s the best way to make the most for your EV. List your EV on Find My Electric and see how easy it is to get your EV in front of the best used EV buyers out there.

Our listings system is entirely EV-focused. We help connect you with buyers who are looking for exactly what you are selling, whether it’s a Tesla Model Y with a full body wrap or a Kia EV6 with aftermarket air suspension.

Don’t settle for less-than-stellar value for your modded EV. Check out our EV Cash Offer and/or get your EV listed with us today!