Here are some ideas to put additional sparkles to your set of wheels.

We all want to stand out from the crowd, and it is no different when it comes to our car. Many of us don’t mind splurging a bit to make our car look unique and distinctly ours.

True car enthusiasts don’t mind shelling out thousands of dollars to make Transformer-like modifications to their rides.

You may have seen some of these modifications — from undercarriage lighting that makes your car look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, to an exhaust system that sounds and feels like a jet plane taking off! Those who modify their engine to increase the power output often employ performance-enhancing turbocharger kits. These enhancers may be legal in some countries but Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) will have something to say about this — make sure you abide by its guidelines when doing any modification to your car.

Adding value to your vehicle

Mod jobs help personalise cars, adding to our feel-good factor when we take the car for a spin. But can they add value to our ride? Here are some ideas that may help you strut your ride in style while helping it stand out when it’s time for resale.

Tyres & Rims These are an important part of a car, and high-performance tyres are an easy upgrade. Not only do they make your car look good, it can also give you more grip and better road holding to make your drive more fun. While you’re at it, how about some nice alloy rims to go with those tyres? They look striking, are much lighter and more durable, minimising wear and tear while adding a bit of style and performance. These are sure-fire ways to add some vroom-vroom to your car!

Brake Pads Adding new brake pads is also a good way to enhance the value of your ride. Make sure you invest in a good set for your safety as well!

Body Colour A custom paint job or a full body wrap service in your favourite colour can certainly make your car stand out. With many workshops here offering specialised paint services, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to making your ride truly unique. Do your homework to ensure these workshops are LTA-approved and can do a competent job — nobody wants to see air bubbles trapped under a car wrap!

Interiors A beautiful interior can add value to your car. This runs the gamut from sleek in-car entertainment to nice leather upholstery for your seats and new matching floor mats. You could even opt for personalised touches, such as embossing details, but do note that going overboard with customisation may backfire on you when it comes time for resale!

Boot One of the areas we tend to overlook is the boot, which deserves some loving, too! Boot rubber liners are great because they not only provide added protection to the boot surface, they also keep unwanted stains and dirt off. These liners are easy to clean and look stylish at the same time.

Window Tinting the windows is a bonus for our sunny climate! It also gives the car a more sophisticated look — in some cases, it masks the mess inside! When installing tinted glass, make sure it complies withLTA requirements:

• At least 70% of light must be able to pass through the front windscreen and the two front side windows

• At least 25% of light must be able to pass through the rear windscreen and the two rear side windows

Camera Rear-view cameras were once viewed as luxury items; these days, quite a few cars have them installed. If you don’t have one, it can be a nice addition as it provides added safety and awareness when reversing.

Lighting System You can also invest in a specially designed lighting system for your car’s interior. Yes, light therapy is now a thing in cars! However, any added lights to the undercarriage or wipers, or neon lights to the interior like those you see on The Fast and the Furious, are a no-no in the eyes of the LTA.

For a list of what you can and cannot do when it comes to car modifications, do check LTA’s website.