Renault will refund new car buyers who get a divorce

Renault is pitching its Scenic E-Tech SUV as a relationship saver by offering a refund to UK couples who purchase the car and subsequently get divorced.

In an offer cooked up by PR firm Publicis London, Renault UK is offering Relationship Breakdown Cover with the purchase of all Scenic E-Tech models until December 31, 2024.

The limited-time promotion guarantees Scenic E-Tech buyers who produce proof of divorce a full refund on the purchase price, provided they do so by the end of the year.

In the fine print it states that divorcees or those ending a civil partnership must hand over official court documents at least one month after buying the electric vehicle (EV) to be eligible for the refund.

That leaves owners with a few months left to buy the car, own and enjoy it (or not), get a divorce and then prove it to the manufacturer.

In other words, it’s unlikely that many of these refund claims will eventuate, especially considering that the UK has a relatively low divorce rate of 34.2 per cent.

The idea for Relationship Breakdown Cover was hatched after Renault conducted research into the conflicts couples face while driving.

Yes, the French carmaker actually got the lab coats out for some in-depth analysis of love behind the wheel.

As it turns out, 21 per cent of British drivers admitted to arguing over directions, while 20 per cent fought over driver behaviour on the road.

The survey also found that the top three car features to boost driver morale are comfortable seats (42 per cent), a high-quality sound system (26 per cent) and ample interior space (26 per cent). 

Renault claims that the Scenic E-Tech ticks all those boxes, but we’ll leave it to loved up buyers to decide.

The offer is currently only available in the UK. Renault does not sell the Scenic E-Tech in Australia, and the brand has shown no signs of bringing RBC Down Under.

MORE: Renault Australia keen to take the Scenic route to new electric SUV