He buys a Ferrari 812 GTS for €460,0000: after 2 years of breakdowns and a voided warranty, he makes an ultimatum.

Buy a Ferrari new car is often a dream. For Nico Leonard, famous automotive YouTuber, this dream turned into a nightmare. In June 2023, he paid over €460,000 for a new Ferrari 812 GTS, delivered by an official dealer. Three days later, the dashboard lit up with error lights. Two years later, the car is still suffering from repeated electronic failures... and its warranty has been cancelled and then reactivated, without resolving the problems once and for all.

Three days of happiness, two years of hell

On June 18, 2023, Nico received the keys to his Ferrari 812 GTS, a monster of power: atmospheric 6.5L V12, 800 hp, 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 s. A mechanical masterpiece on paper, but a nightmare in the making.

By the third day, the car was displaying electronic alerts: braking system, ESC, engine management, etc. Despite several visits to the dealership, no lasting solution was found. And when Nico installs a Novitec exhaust, Ferrari cancels his warranty, deeming it an unauthorized modification.

Complete breakdown in Monaco, 500 days in the workshop

During a trip to Monaco, the 812 GTS breaks down completely. Ferrari refuses to pay for repatriation or repairs. Nico is stuck. He has to pay for his own transport and diagnostics.

He decided to prove that the exhaust system was not to blame. Ferrari and Novitec inspect the car. The verdict? No proven link between the failure and the exhaust system. But the warranty remains suspended, and the breakdowns continue.

In two years, the car spends 500 days in the workshop, in 6 dealerships on 2 continents. Meanwhile, Nico continues to pay £4,500 a month for a vehicle he can't use.

Exasperated, he tried to retract the purchase of the car, as permitted by British law on non-conforming products. Ferrari refused.

Ferrari reacts (at last)...

After much media coverage, Ferrari Italy finally sent a technician from Maranello to Northern Ireland. The diagnosis came within 24 hours: a faulty connection in the ECU. The fault was repaired, the warranty reactivated, and Nico was finally able to get his car back.

But Ferrari demanded £30,000 for the repairs. In the end, dealer Charles Hurst paid the bill, thus avoiding another scandal...

... but problems return

The joy was short-lived. A few days after getting his car back, the same error messages reappear: stop & start system, engine management, ESC, etc.

"Two years after purchase, I've never been able to use the car for more than a day without a problem," sums up Nico.

Tired, Nico gave Ferrari an ultimatum: 7 days to replace the car or refund his money, otherwise he'd have it delivered in front of the Ferrari factory gates in Maranello, live on social networks.

"I bought this car to create memories with my children. Instead, I've had two years of frustration. That's not acceptable."

This testimonial, seen by millions of Internet users, highlights the limitations of Ferrari customer service, even on new cars costing over €400,000. Despite acknowledging its fault, the automaker took almost two years to react, without definitively resolving the problem. Will Nico drop his car in front of the Ferrari factory in Maranello? Stay tuned!