Racers’ that make modifications to their cars could be left uninsured

Young male drivers in that are creating dangerous vehicles for themselves are doing so by ignoring safety and fuel efficiency equipment on cars. This group of motorists are statistically six times more likely to be involved in a fatal road accident than any other group of drivers and are leaving themselves open to leaving their car insurance cover invalidated. Click here for more information.

Many of these drivers will over-ride the original electronic controls on their cars, which have been set by the manufacturer. They are then failing to inform their insurance provider of these changes.

Although third party injuries would probably be covered, the owner of the vehicle might be left facing huge medical bills with further compensation payments to the insurers of other people injured in the collision.

There is a trend developing amongst ‘boy racers’, which is known as ‘chipping’, and sees computer chips being bought on the black market to replace the manufacturers electronic control unit (ECU) chip.

The illegal chip has the power to remove the controls, allowing the engine to run at its maximum speed. This could result in an increase in horsepower of 30 per cent from 170bhp to 230bhp in a typical two-litre diesel turbo charged engine. The vehicle will also have increased acceleration from its starting position and increase the top speed by up to 20 per cent.

Young male drivers under the age of 25 years old account for 40 per cent of road deaths in, which is amazing considering people aged between 18 to 25 years old make up only five per cent of the countries population.