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!
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Meine Meinung wäre eine Frage, hätte sich Ferrari auch bei einem super reichen Käufer sich so unkooperativ gezeigt.
I can just imagine saving my money buying a dream car then days later it breaking down and not working.. and on top of that the dealer not fixing it.. that car would be on fire and reported "stolen" if it was mine .. I'm happy he's doing this. Hopefully he gets a replacement! Good luck Nico !
Just a youtuber 🤣. No interest, he's just doing his show even if everyone knows that Ferraris are unreliable. But we don't buy them for that, do we?
No problem on my ferrari that I buy from gohm no indicator light no failure .
For me, it's a car made on a Monday.
It is known. Staff not awake.😎🥱🤭
There's more than Ferrari for 400,000 euros 💶💪
His €460,000 show? Are you kidding or what? Ferrari must just assume ' the fact that the car has a serious problem and do the necessary .punto.
You're such a 💩...
Das Auto hat zu funktionieren Punkt. Ich denke mal, dass wenn. das mein Auto wäre ich folgendes verlangen würde, dass Ferrari das Auto im Werk komplett zerlegt was Motor Getriebe und Elektronik angeht da die Garsntie ja jetzt wieder aktiv ist und mir während dieser Zeit ein gleichwertiges Auto zur Verfügung stellt auf Kosten von Ferrari selbstverständlich, denn es kann nicht sein, dass bei solchen Verkaufspreisen die Hälfte der Autos oder mehr wegen ständigen Elektronik Problemen nicht fahrbar sind entweder kriegen sie das im Werk auf die Reihe oder ich würde den Wagen auch zurückgeben
Mi vergogno di essere italiano. Se ci fosse stato Enzo Ferrari tutto questo non sarebbe accaduto, ma sia sul commercio sia in F1 ormai la Ferrari è.in netto declino!!!
Oggigjorno se ne sentono e leggono di tutti i colori! Puoi spendere 40mila euro o 450mila euro e rischi di prendere la fregatura in entrambi i casi! Fino a una trentina di anni fa' le auto in genere erano molto più affidabili, da quando l'elettronica è diventata preponderante nell'insieme della machina è andata sempre peggio! Se non si ha la fortuna di riuscire a localizzare il guasto tramite diagnosi sono dolori veri!
Das ist der Grund wesshalb ich nur einen Dino von 1977 und einen Montial T aus 1993 fahre.
Sehr zuverlässige Autos.
I myself bought a 296gts for 412000€ in September. First breakdown after 1500km three months of garages second breakdown at2200km I went on vacation without Ferrari. We'll see in September. Of course no loan car and no indemnity.
Geen vervangingen?!?!?
Wat een losers zijn dat daar bij ferrari.
Maar ja iedereen weet dat het itjalaanse rommel is.
Zolang Rijke idioten die brol blijven kopen, no matter what, zal fellali zich zo blijven gedragen....
De mensen willen bedrogen worden.
Hahahahahahaaaaa
Sono ultranovantenne e la Ferrari è sempre stata nel mio cuore. Sin dai tempi di Alberto Ascari e Villoresi. Ebbene un caso del genere , col commendatore Enzo Ferrari vivente , sarebbe stato inconcepibile. Soluzione? Meno elettronica e più meccanica! Ma soprattutto più serietà nei rapporti con la clientela!
Ottima analisi, quello che di legge dovrebbero imporre.
Hai venduto una fregatura?
Tu costruttore la sostituisci in breve termine e ti riparerai con calma il ritoro.
Ferrari Ferrari ferr rari ... sempre più rari. Oramai il silicio domina e regna. Il motore scoppia e youtuber ingrassa. Tanto la morte non chiede passaporti.
Guys, let's be serious. You have to buy German....Since when you have to buy Italian, they've never created a reliable car except in rallying.
So yes Ferrari is class, there's at least the design and here the Italians are strong but for the rest....Ah si le parmesan et le jambon😜
yes, the Germans have Renault engines, so buying French is just as good.
Che scandalo, spendi mezzo milione di euro di macchina per andare in giro a piedi... Grande Ferrari meglio la panda .
Anni orsono conobbi a Torino un ingegnere al quale capitò che la sua RR a Borgodale non diede più segni di vita. Seguì una breve tel.ta in GB dove gli confermarono che il giorno seguente poteva ritirare l RR presso la concessionaria di Torino. Ritirò la RR e chiese il motivo del guasto. Risposta: nessun guasto apparente è una Rolls Royce, grazie buon viaggio.
Moet nu nooit nog een Ferrari hebben. Italiaanse brol. Service van de Duitse en Chinese grootmerken zijn beter. Ferrari kan blijkbaar zijn wettelijke garantie niet meer nakomen. En dan nog, bij Mercedes had ik nog na 5 jaar een tegemoetkoming van 80%
Vaya vrguenza!
Normalmente no he tenido problemas con ninguna marca, aunque hoy es facil con tanta tecnologia electrónica es posiblemente mas fácil que tanta tecnología pueda dar algún problema.
De todas maneras los últimos vehiculos que he tenido han sidoo marcas coreanas del mismo grupo y hasta la fecha, ningún problema de ningún tipo.
Una suerte, o buenos autos?