Renault offers DIVORCE money-back guarantee on new electric Scenic family car – but there’s a catch

Couples who split after purchasing a new Renault family car will get their money back in one of the most unique deals car buyers can get.

The French carmaker is introducing a so-called ‘relationship breakdown cover’ for its new electric SUV model Scenic. With this, the manufacturer guarantees a refund to couples who divorce or dissolve a registered partnership after the car has been received.

But there’s a catch…

The Scenic, which was launched last year, starts from £37,495.

Since its introduction to the market, the car has received much praise, including the title of European Car of the Year 2024.

The French carmaker announces the end of the ‘car rumor’ and promises: ‘The new Renault Scenic is such a perfect family car that buyers are promised a blissful relationship – or their money back.’

The report highlights that the comfortable seats, the advanced navigation system, the quiet operation of the electric car, the smart sound system, the spacious and light interior and the calm atmosphere are the perfect antidote to potential arguments, bickering, squabbling and disagreements. The report notes: ‘Comfortable seats, a great sound system and plenty of space for everyone are found to be the best ways to keep everyone laughing during long car journeys.’

It reads: ‘The Renault Scenic E-Tech, the current European Car of the Year, has been named by its makers as the perfect car for relationship happiness. Buyers who pay for the car in cash are offered Relationship Breakdown Cover, which guarantees they will get their money back if they break up.’

Renault explains the new initiative as follows: ‘Whatever you call it, you’ve almost certainly had an argument with your partner in the car, but ‘car quarrels’ could be a thing of the past.

‘The makers of the Renault Scenic E-Tech are so sure it is the perfect family car that they have stated that it will eliminate friction in the car. They have even promised that owners will get their money back if they split up after the purchase.’

What’s the catch?

The company says the “bold promise” deal will be available to customers until the end of 2024.

However, anyone looking for the reassurance of Renault’s unique cover – and the option to return the car in the event of divorce or the dissolution of a registered partnership – will need to read the small print carefully, because there is a big catch.

The offer is only available to cash buyers of the car.

This will be a small proportion of owners, as most electric cars (more than four in five so far by 2024) are purchased by fleet operators rather than private buyers.

Fleet ‘buys’ also include motorists who run electric cars through salary sacrifice schemes of their employees. This is one of the main drivers of the new electric car market.

The small print states that ‘Relationship Breakdown Cover’ is only available to cash buyers of the Scenic SUV

It states: ‘The RBC only applies to purchasers of a Renault Scenic as an individual, personal purchase from our authorised Renault dealer network (excluding purchases of fleet vehicles, company property or property owned through an employee benefits scheme), between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, for cash.’

Private buyers using any form of finance including Hire Purchase (HP), Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) or Personal Contract Hire (PCH) are ‘excluded’ from the deal.

The small print also clearly states that ‘relationship breakdown’ means ‘either a divorce or the dissolution of a registered partnership’.

Couples who break up after an unofficial relationship, even if it has existed for a long time, are therefore not covered.

The fine print also sets out what legal documentation is required, such as a court-sanctioned Decree Nisi and Decree Absolute, and the relevant timings.

But for those who do qualify and still part ways – despite the charms of the new electric Scenic – Renault says: ‘On return of your Renault Scenic vehicle, you will receive a full refund of the amount you paid for the vehicle on the date of return, less any reasonable additional amounts for any damage to the vehicle (including removal of stickers and damage to the wheels and interior) beyond normal wear and tear during the period of your ownership of the vehicle.’

Earlier this month, This is Money explained how Renault is fitting controversial ‘Big Brother’ technology to its range of cars, including the Scenic SUV and Clio hatchback. The technology assesses driving performance and awards points for speeding, following too closely to the car in front and crossing the white lines between lanes.

Renault’s ‘Safety Score’ gives owners a personalised score out of 100 at the end of each journey. The hope is that drivers will compete with each other to get the best rating and thus improve road safety.

Points will be deducted if any of the vehicle’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are activated during a journey, including lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and the latest technology fitted to new models from this week: Intelligent Speed ​​Assistance (ISA).

However, concerns have been raised about whether insurers should be informed if drivers have a poor rating.