Married couples who split up after buying a new Renault family car are being offered their money back in one of the most exclusive deals on offer to car buyers.
The French carmaker is introducing what it calls ‘Relationship Breakup Cover’ for its new Scenic electric SUV model to guarantee reimbursement to couples who divorce or dissolve a civil partnership after receiving the vehicle.
But there is a problem…
Married couples who split up after buying a new French family electric car are being offered their money back in a unique ‘Relationship Breakup Cover’ deal
The Scenic, launched last year, is priced from £37,495.
It has won numerous accolades since entering the market, including European Car of the Year 2024.
Proclaiming what it calls the end of the “car debate”, the French carmaker promises: “The new Renault Scenic is such a perfect family car that buyers are promised a happy relationship… or their money back.”
He insists that the car’s comfortable seats, high-tech satellite navigation system, quiet electric vehicle operation, smart sound system, spacious and bright interior and calm environment are the perfect antidote to potential fights, quarrels, arguments and disagreements, noting: “Comfortable seats, a great sound system and plenty of space for everyone are revealed to be the best ways to keep everyone smiling on long car journeys.”
It states: ‘The Renault Scenic E-Tech, the reigning European Car of the Year, has been declared by its creators the perfect car for a happy relationship, and retail buyers who pay cash are offered Relationship Breakup Cover which guarantees they get their money back if they split up.’
Explaining its new initiative, Renault says: ‘Whatever you call it, you’ve almost certainly had an argument with your partner in the car before, but the ‘car argument’ could be about to become a thing of the past.
‘The creators of the Renault Scenic E-Tech are so confident that it is the perfect family car that they have declared it will put an end to friction inside the vehicle and have promised owners a refund if they part ways after buying one.’
So what’s the trick?
It says its “bold promise” offer is available to customers until the end of 2024.
However, anyone seeking the peace of mind offered by Renault’s unique coverage (and the ability to return the car in the event of divorce or dissolution of a civil union) will need to read the fine print carefully, as there is a very big catch.
Offer is only available to retail car buyers paying cash.
This will be a small fraction of owners, given that most EVs (more than four in five by 2024 so far) are purchased by fleets rather than private buyers.
Fleet “buyers” include those motorists who are switching to electric vehicles through employee salary sacrifice schemes, which is one of the major driving forces currently underpinning the emerging electric car market.
The fine print says that “Relationship Breach Cover” is only available to cash retail buyers of the Scenic SUV.
It notes: ‘The RBC only applies to purchasers of a Renault Scenic as an individual personal purchase from our Renault Authorised Dealer Network (excluding fleet purchases, corporate ownership or ownership through an employee benefit plan), between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, on a cash basis.’
Private buyers using any form of finance arrangement, including hire purchase (HP), personal contract purchase (PCP) or personal contract hire (PCH), are “excluded” from the agreement.
The fine print also makes it clear that “Relationship Breakdown” relates to “a divorce or the dissolution of a civil union.”
Therefore, couples who separate after an unofficial relationship, even if it is long-lasting, are not covered.
The fine print also sets out the required legal documentation, such as a Decree Nisi and a Decree Absolute with a court seal, and the relevant time limits.
But for those who qualify and who part ways, despite the charms of the new electric Scenic, Renault says: ‘On returning your Renault Scenic vehicle, you will be refunded the full cash price you paid for the vehicle on the return date, less any reasonable additional retention of money for any damage to the vehicle (including removal of stickers and damage to wheels and interior) beyond reasonable wear and tear from the time you have owned the vehicle. ‘
Earlier this month, This is Money detailed how Renault is introducing controversial “Big Brother” technology to its car range, including the Scenic SUV and Clio hatchback, which scores driving performance and deducts points for speeding, following another vehicle closely and straying over white lines between lanes.
Renault’s ‘Safety Score’ will give owners a personalised score out of 100 at the end of every journey in the hope that drivers will compete to get the best ratings and improve road safety.
The markings are removed if any of the vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are activated during the journey, including lane assist, automatic emergency braking and the latest technology fitted to new models starting this week, Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) alerts.
However, it has raised concerns about whether insurers can be informed if drivers have a bad rating.
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