A man who bought an electric car from a Nottingham dealer described his experience as an 'absolute farce' - saying there was water in the footwell of the vehicle near a battery connector.
Richard Pearce, 37, paid £6,633 earlier this year for a used Renault Zoe from Bristol Street Motors Renault Nottingham, Haydn Road, Sherwood.
Mr Pearce, an IT consultant, of Colchester, Essex, spotted a good finance deal online, prompting him to reserve the car for collection on April 15.
However, he explained the vehicle needed a software update to improve the efficiency of the battery system.
So he took it to a garage near where he lives and said he was told by mechanics there on May 13 that water was in the footwell of the vehicle.
He said: "When I got the car, I was happy with it, I got it back home. I did have one problem. There's a known issue with this type of car that, because it's an electric car, effectively there's a software update that needs to be done to the battery management system.
"That effectively gives you an extra 10 miles of range. It's quite useful to have that.
"I tried to get the original dealer to do it but they didn't, they weren't very forthcoming or willing.
"I took it to my local garage, my local Renault dealer down here.
"They did it, said it was done - however, [they said] 'do you know your car is dangerous?' I went 'no'.
"They explained to me both of my front footwells were full of water and beneath the driver's seat is a small access panel, underneath that access panel is where there's a 400 volt battery connector.
"Water had got in there, you could actually see, it's all corroded in the photos.
"Effectively, I'd been driving around a car for three-and-a-half weeks that was dangerous.
"My kids had been playing in the front of that car, as kids do when you get a new car.
"If we'd touched the wrong part of the car then it could have been someone dying, potentially."
Mr Pearce, dad to daughter Megan, six, and son Harry, four, contacted Bristol Street about the issue and both parties agreed for the car to be replaced with another used Renault Zoe.
He said he drove the car back to the Bristol Street dealership on May 28 to pick up the replacement vehicle.
However, he later noticed a "funny kind of vibrating noise" and took the replacement car back to his local garage in Colchester for inspection.
"I took it to my local Renault dealer, who then effectively diagnosed it needed a brand new traction motor which is a £2,500 part, it's basically the engine. That was covered under the Renault warranty," he said.
"There were also worn-out top mounts, when you turned the steering wheel to the right it was cracking.
"They repaired that and the dealer I bought the car from had effectively paid for that repair."
Since then, Mr Pearce said he was happy with the car but he has reported the case to the Motor Ombudsman.
He described the whole saga as "an absolute farce really - from start to finish it's been a disaster".
A spokeswoman for Bristol Street Motors said: "All of our used cars are subject to a robust testing process to ensure that they comply with all legal standards, and that they are fit for purpose prior to the point of sale.
“We take any complaints we receive very seriously, and will always investigate thoroughly, as we have done in this case.
“We worked with the customer in an attempt to reach a mutually satisfactory conclusion, however, we understand that he has taken his case to the Motor Ombudsman. As always, we will respond openly to the Motor Ombudsman and abide by their decision.”
Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of the Motor Ombudsman, said: “A few days ago, we received details of Mr Pearce’s complaint regarding the purchase and replacement of his electric vehicle, and we have confirmed to Mr Pearce that this case is awaiting review.
"Within the next few weeks, and in the shortest possible time frame, Mr Pearce’s case will be assigned to one of our case investigators who will get in touch with the customer to confirm the next steps.
"In the meantime, Mr Pearce is able to submit any other evidence or correspondence from the dealership that he would like our team to review.”
A spokesman for Renault UK added: "At Renault we are committed to delivering an excellent customer service and are disappointed to hear of the issues that Mr Pearce has experienced with his Renault ZOE.
"Renault endeavours to work with the best dealer partners, with whom we collaboratively strive to ensure exacting franchise standards.
"On the rare occasion that something goes wrong, we will always do the utmost to support an owner and dealer partner in resolving any outstanding customer issue.
"Renault are currently working with the senior staff at Bristol Street Motors Nottingham to remedy the customer’s dissatisfaction."
