Tuning risks and warranty

What the software warranty includes

Our full lifetime software warranty applies to the software modifications we supply at every tuning level, including engine and gearbox software. It has no two-year expiry. Cover is for the customer who purchased the tune and the vehicle we tuned; it does not transfer to another customer or vehicle.

MIL or engine warning light

If the malfunction indicator light (MIL) comes on after tuning, contact us first. We will code scan the vehicle free of charge to help establish the next step. A warning light can have a software or mechanical cause.

Issues introduced by tuning

Where an issue introduced by our tuning can be resolved by tweaking our software, we make those software changes free of charge.

Driveability after tuning

Bring the vehicle back to us for a free assessment if it does not drive right after tuning; contact us first to arrange the visit. If a post-tuning driveability problem can be fixed by modifying our software, we do that free of charge. Tell us about rough running, misfiring, hesitation or a change in how the car drives.

Free removal back to stock

We provide a free removal service for our tune, returning the vehicle to standard software. Contact us to arrange it. This does not undo hardware changes or create a hardware warranty, and removal alone does not entitle you to a refund of the tuning service.

One free dealer-update reinstallation

If a dealer or manufacturer software update removes or overwrites our tune, we will reinstall our tuning software on the same vehicle once free of charge for the original customer. We check compatibility with the updated software first. Further dealer-update reinstallations are quoted separately; this one-time service does not limit free corrections covered by the lifetime software warranty.

Software support cannot repair a worn or failed component. If further mechanical diagnosis or repair is needed, we explain the findings and agree any separate chargeable work before proceeding.

Mechanical failures on the dyno

Dyno testing places the vehicle under load. An engine, turbo or drivetrain component can fail during a run, including where an earlier inspection found no fault. The tuning software warranty does not pay for failed hardware or its replacement.

If a mechanical failure of your vehicle causes an oil or fluid spill, debris or damage to our dyno or other workshop equipment, you are responsible for the reasonable cleanup and equipment-repair costs arising from that failure. We explain and document those costs.

How you drive matters at every tuning level

In our opinion, a healthy, properly maintained Stage 1 vehicle driven normally should experience normal wear and tear. For example, using a modest increase in torque to climb a hill without an unnecessary downshift can be a reasonable everyday use of Stage 1 tuning. This is our view of suitable use, rather than a guarantee that a component cannot fail.

Aggressive driving at any tuning level increases the risk of mechanical failure. Repeated hard acceleration, high-load use and driving a Stage 1 vehicle like a race car put its components under greater stress. You should be prepared for accelerated wear and parts breaking, even at Stage 1.

Additional horsepower and torque increase the demands on the engine and drivetrain. A healthy-looking vehicle may still have hidden wear or a weakness that becomes apparent under the extra load. You must decide whether that risk is acceptable for your vehicle, your driving and your budget.

Before you decide to tune

• We advise against tuning higher-mileage vehicles. Mileage and wear can increase the chance of an expensive mechanical problem. A lower mileage is not a guarantee of suitability either.
• Arrange a full mechanical inspection before any tuning. Report warning lights, oil use, clutch slip, gearbox symptoms and previous repairs. A basic code scan or tuning check is not a full mechanical inspection. See our vehicle inspection service and discuss the inspection scope before booking.
• For a DSG or automatic, we recommend matching gearbox tuning alongside the engine tune where supported. The engine and transmission software need to suit the fitted gearbox, its condition and the intended torque. A gearbox tune does not repair worn parts or guarantee against failure. See gearbox tuning.
• Keep a repair budget. If you cannot afford to repair the vehicle should a problem develop, we strongly advise you not to embark on tuning.

An inspection that finds nothing wrong does not certify that the car is safe to tune. Checks can reduce uncertainty, but cannot reveal every weakness or remove the risk. Passing an inspection does not add hardware cover to the software warranty. The decision to accept the remaining risk is yours.

Hardware warranty

Tuning is at your own risk. If you require a separate hardware warranty, cover can be arranged before tuning. It typically costs around £5,000–£10,000 per vehicle, sometimes more. The vehicle, scope, exclusions and price must be agreed in writing in advance. This cover is not included in a remap and is not added automatically.

Contact us first if something changes

We provide full support after tuning, including a free assessment if the vehicle does not drive right. Make Llandow Tuning your first point of contact if the MIL comes on, the engine runs roughly or misfires, or the vehicle develops a driveability problem. Have your registration, tuning date and a description of the symptoms ready.

If the engine is misfiring, running badly or showing a serious warning, stop putting it under load and contact us for advice before driving it back. We can arrange the included code scan and establish whether a software change can resolve the issue. Mechanical fault-finding beyond the included support, recovery, parts and hardware repairs are separate work, with any charges agreed beforehand.

Contact us before asking someone else to alter the tune so we can assess the software we supplied and help you choose the next step.