What do I do with this dead Renault Zoe?
Discussion
I have recently started helping a company with some consulting. They have a small vehicle fleet, one of the fleet is a 2015 Renault Zoe....
It's their only electric car.
It appears it was involved in an accident some months ago where it stuffed into the back of someone else.... The insurance assessor attended and declared it a write-off, BUT the car was still drivable and the company elected not to claim on the (exorbitant) fleet insurance. They patched it up and kept using it.
Fast forward a few months and it now won't charge.....
They've asked me, as a 'car guy', if I can do them a favour and suggest what to do with it now that it's dead..... it's nothing to do with 'work', I'm just trying to be helpful as they've nobody there that is car savvy.
Digging a little deeper shows it was bought with a leased battery that was valued at £6160 when they acquired the car in May '21 and an annual milage limit of 4500 miles. The battery Insured Value reduces by 10% each calendar year according to the lease.
To me, that says that if they scrap it they will have to pay Renault roughly £4500 for the battery.... but does it really work like that? Am I better to suggest they get it towed to a Renault dealer and just sign it over?
How do they dispose of this dead Zoe and cap their liability?
It's their only electric car.
It appears it was involved in an accident some months ago where it stuffed into the back of someone else.... The insurance assessor attended and declared it a write-off, BUT the car was still drivable and the company elected not to claim on the (exorbitant) fleet insurance. They patched it up and kept using it.
Fast forward a few months and it now won't charge.....
They've asked me, as a 'car guy', if I can do them a favour and suggest what to do with it now that it's dead..... it's nothing to do with 'work', I'm just trying to be helpful as they've nobody there that is car savvy.
Digging a little deeper shows it was bought with a leased battery that was valued at £6160 when they acquired the car in May '21 and an annual milage limit of 4500 miles. The battery Insured Value reduces by 10% each calendar year according to the lease.
To me, that says that if they scrap it they will have to pay Renault roughly £4500 for the battery.... but does it really work like that? Am I better to suggest they get it towed to a Renault dealer and just sign it over?
How do they dispose of this dead Zoe and cap their liability?
I'd get in touch with Toaster Pilot of this parish, he deals in EVs and has had a few Zoe's in his time.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?me...
https://www.youtube.com/@ModernHeroes/videos
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?me...
https://www.youtube.com/@ModernHeroes/videos
My SiL had an early Zoe and it had dreadful problems with the software that even a factory specialist flown over from France couldn't sort out. In the end Renault threw in the towel and exchanged/part-ex'd it for the newer model. This has been fine and reliable though some issues with iffy window switches on long back order.
These guys are well regarded and they are mobile so would come to you to fix it.
https://www.cleevelymobile.co.uk/
https://www.cleevelymobile.co.uk/
I would have thought there could be multiple different reasons why it wouldn't charge, could it be their charger is at fault rather than the car itself? asking on here or similar model specific forums might point you in the right direction but if it was me, I'd be suggesting they get it into a garage (probably an EV specialist or Renault) and get it properly looked at to find the cause, fix it and move it on if its viable to do so or weight up the options once they have some to consider.
Ste-EVo said:
I would have thought there could be multiple different reasons why it wouldn't charge, could it be their charger is at fault rather than the car itself? asking on here or similar model specific forums might point you in the right direction but if it was me, I'd be suggesting they get it into a garage (probably an EV specialist or Renault) and get it properly looked at to find the cause, fix it and move it on if its viable to do so or weight up the options once they have some to consider.
Or approaching a classic car EV conversion company and see if its something they would consider buying for parts and using that money to pay off the battery lease etc?Thanks for the thoughts.
Finding out why it's not charging means spending money on it.... which is very hard to justify.
The car itself is a mess... the crash damage wrecked the bumper, which is bungeed back on, broke most of the plastics behind, including the headlamp and charging socket mounts, damaged the bonnet etc. etc. .... it's just not worth throwing money at trying to fix the no charge issue (which is the car, not the charger - doesn't charge irrespective of charger) when the car is already so badly damaged.
Plus getting rid of the swingeing battery lease payments of £49/month is very appealing - they wouldn't be spending that much on petrol/diesel per month in an IC car doing the same mileage as this does!
Doing some AutoTrader surfing suggests a similar mileage leased battery Zoe in good condition is worth as little as £1000, so the car really has no value as it is, in fact it's a liability as it's worth waaaaay less than the outstanding battery lease and is costing every month.
What's the best way of getting out of this lease at minimal cost? Can it just be taken back to Renault and handed back? Someone must have had experience of this in the past - what happens to crashed Zoes? do the owners end up getting stiffed paying for the battery after the car is written off?
Finding out why it's not charging means spending money on it.... which is very hard to justify.
The car itself is a mess... the crash damage wrecked the bumper, which is bungeed back on, broke most of the plastics behind, including the headlamp and charging socket mounts, damaged the bonnet etc. etc. .... it's just not worth throwing money at trying to fix the no charge issue (which is the car, not the charger - doesn't charge irrespective of charger) when the car is already so badly damaged.
Plus getting rid of the swingeing battery lease payments of £49/month is very appealing - they wouldn't be spending that much on petrol/diesel per month in an IC car doing the same mileage as this does!
Doing some AutoTrader surfing suggests a similar mileage leased battery Zoe in good condition is worth as little as £1000, so the car really has no value as it is, in fact it's a liability as it's worth waaaaay less than the outstanding battery lease and is costing every month.
What's the best way of getting out of this lease at minimal cost? Can it just be taken back to Renault and handed back? Someone must have had experience of this in the past - what happens to crashed Zoes? do the owners end up getting stiffed paying for the battery after the car is written off?
You'll need to call Mobilize (Renault Financial Services) who own the battery
Options will probably be
- sell the car as-is and the new buyer takes on the lease
- you buy the battery (£2k) and then sell the car on to someone who wants to fix it etc
- you pay to have the battery removed and shipped for disposal, then scrap the car in the normal way
17.4 If this Agreement terminates due to your Early Termination under this clause 17 you shall return the Battery to us in accordance with the return obligations set out in clauses 15.2 and 15.4.
15.2 If this Agreement has terminated under this clause 15, you will no longer have possession of the Battery with our consent. You must immediately (and at our option) either return the Battery to us, to such place as we may reasonably specify (at your own risk and expense) or let us collect it from you.
15.4 If you return the Battery to us in accordance with clause 15.2 you will incur no additional charges
Options will probably be
- sell the car as-is and the new buyer takes on the lease
- you buy the battery (£2k) and then sell the car on to someone who wants to fix it etc
- you pay to have the battery removed and shipped for disposal, then scrap the car in the normal way
17.4 If this Agreement terminates due to your Early Termination under this clause 17 you shall return the Battery to us in accordance with the return obligations set out in clauses 15.2 and 15.4.
15.2 If this Agreement has terminated under this clause 15, you will no longer have possession of the Battery with our consent. You must immediately (and at our option) either return the Battery to us, to such place as we may reasonably specify (at your own risk and expense) or let us collect it from you.
15.4 If you return the Battery to us in accordance with clause 15.2 you will incur no additional charges
Edited by essayer on Friday 18th October 15:18
essayer said:
You'll need to call Mobilize (Renault Financial Services) who own the battery
Options will probably be
- sell the car as-is and the new buyer takes on the lease
- you buy the battery (£2k) and then sell the car on to someone who wants to fix it etc
- you pay to have the battery removed and shipped for disposal, then scrap the car in the normal way
17.4 If this Agreement terminates due to your Early Termination under this clause 17 you shall return the Battery to us in accordance with the return obligations set out in clauses 15.2 and 15.4.
15.2 If this Agreement has terminated under this clause 15, you will no longer have possession of the Battery with our consent. You must immediately (and at our option) either return the Battery to us, to such place as we may reasonably specify (at your own risk and expense) or let us collect it from you.
15.4 If you return the Battery to us in accordance with clause 15.2 you will incur no additional charges
What is the normal lease period?Options will probably be
- sell the car as-is and the new buyer takes on the lease
- you buy the battery (£2k) and then sell the car on to someone who wants to fix it etc
- you pay to have the battery removed and shipped for disposal, then scrap the car in the normal way
17.4 If this Agreement terminates due to your Early Termination under this clause 17 you shall return the Battery to us in accordance with the return obligations set out in clauses 15.2 and 15.4.
15.2 If this Agreement has terminated under this clause 15, you will no longer have possession of the Battery with our consent. You must immediately (and at our option) either return the Battery to us, to such place as we may reasonably specify (at your own risk and expense) or let us collect it from you.
15.4 If you return the Battery to us in accordance with clause 15.2 you will incur no additional charges
Edited by essayer on Friday 18th October 15:18
I thought these batteries had 8 year warranties, and the lease was for a similar period?
So is option 4 simply to keep paying the lease for a year or so, then it just expires?
The question is, is the battery accident damaged, in which case it's on the keeper to insure it, or has it died of old age, in which case, it's Renault's problem?
Also, a lot of problems can be 'dsiappeared' if you're talking about buying another car...
essayer said:
You'll need to call Mobilize (Renault Financial Services) who own the battery
Options will probably be
- sell the car as-is and the new buyer takes on the lease
- you buy the battery (£2k) and then sell the car on to someone who wants to fix it etc
- you pay to have the battery removed and shipped for disposal, then scrap the car in the normal way
17.4 If this Agreement terminates due to your Early Termination under this clause 17 you shall return the Battery to us in accordance with the return obligations set out in clauses 15.2 and 15.4.
15.2 If this Agreement has terminated under this clause 15, you will no longer have possession of the Battery with our consent. You must immediately (and at our option) either return the Battery to us, to such place as we may reasonably specify (at your own risk and expense) or let us collect it from you.
15.4 If you return the Battery to us in accordance with clause 15.2 you will incur no additional charges
This is the way. Options will probably be
- sell the car as-is and the new buyer takes on the lease
- you buy the battery (£2k) and then sell the car on to someone who wants to fix it etc
- you pay to have the battery removed and shipped for disposal, then scrap the car in the normal way
17.4 If this Agreement terminates due to your Early Termination under this clause 17 you shall return the Battery to us in accordance with the return obligations set out in clauses 15.2 and 15.4.
15.2 If this Agreement has terminated under this clause 15, you will no longer have possession of the Battery with our consent. You must immediately (and at our option) either return the Battery to us, to such place as we may reasonably specify (at your own risk and expense) or let us collect it from you.
15.4 If you return the Battery to us in accordance with clause 15.2 you will incur no additional charges
Edited by essayer on Friday 18th October 15:18
Return the battery to Mobilize in order to cancel the lease - you’ll need to pay for labour to have the battery removed most likely - and then scrap what’s left.
Still cheaper than buying out the battery, though in theory you could buy it out, sell the battery, scrap the rest and maybe be slightly ahead.
I've managed to speak to Mobilize and whilst they initially told me they had no interest in the battery (and emailed a letter to confirm same), they subsequently advised that they DID still have an interest in the battery, the lease agreement was still valid and would have to be transferred or bought out before the car could be disposed of.....
The buy out figure was just over £2k
So it looks like I've got to try and find someone prepared to buy a scrap Zoe with a £2k liability, or try to explain to the company that they have to pay £2k to buy out the battery before they can get rid of it..... Having read the lease agreement, I don't think anyone has the stomach to try and find someone to take out the battery and return it to Mobilize to cancel the contract.
What an expensive mistake......
The buy out figure was just over £2k
So it looks like I've got to try and find someone prepared to buy a scrap Zoe with a £2k liability, or try to explain to the company that they have to pay £2k to buy out the battery before they can get rid of it..... Having read the lease agreement, I don't think anyone has the stomach to try and find someone to take out the battery and return it to Mobilize to cancel the contract.
What an expensive mistake......
larrylamb11 said:
I've managed to speak to Mobilize and whilst they initially told me they had no interest in the battery (and emailed a letter to confirm same), they subsequently advised that they DID still have an interest in the battery, the lease agreement was still valid and would have to be transferred or bought out before the car could be disposed of.....
The buy out figure was just over £2k
So it looks like I've got to try and find someone prepared to buy a scrap Zoe with a £2k liability, or try to explain to the company that they have to pay £2k to buy out the battery before they can get rid of it..... Having read the lease agreement, I don't think anyone has the stomach to try and find someone to take out the battery and return it to Mobilize to cancel the contract.
What an expensive mistake......
FWIW, they could buy the battery for £2k and then stick the car up on eBay, spares and repairs for £2k. They’d probably sell it and break even. Someone out there would be up for buying it for a go with the battery!The buy out figure was just over £2k
So it looks like I've got to try and find someone prepared to buy a scrap Zoe with a £2k liability, or try to explain to the company that they have to pay £2k to buy out the battery before they can get rid of it..... Having read the lease agreement, I don't think anyone has the stomach to try and find someone to take out the battery and return it to Mobilize to cancel the contract.
What an expensive mistake......
Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff