Should I buy this used Renault Zoe with a tricky history?

I’m considering a 2018 Renault Zoe 41 Intens, first registered in August 2019. It has 92,000 km on the clock and a history that’s making me think twice.

Here’s the background:

  1. New Motor
    The seller bought the car three months ago at a low price due to a faulty motor. They replaced it with one that has only 4,000 km on it. There’s paperwork for the motor but not for the installation.

  2. Failed Inspection
    In August 2023, at 69,000 km (with the previous owner), it failed inspection due to axle and suspension problems. These were fixed, and it passed a reinspection two weeks later. The repair is noted in the maintenance log.

The seller says they’re selling it because their spouse finds charging too inconvenient for her commute.

The car is well-equipped and has new parts, but the motor replacement and past axle issues raise concerns for me. What do you all think? Would you consider buying a car like this? Any tips for things I should check or bring up in the negotiation?

Get an independent inspection, like from the AA. Their detailed checks will tell you everything about the car’s condition. A trustworthy seller should have no problem with this. If they refuse, it’s a red flag.

If the report comes back clean, you can feel confident buying it. If it needs lots of work, at least you’ll know what you’re getting into.

I’d only go for it if the price reflects the car’s history. I wouldn’t pay the same as for one with no issues.

  1. Make sure the price is right.

  2. Ensure it passes another inspection.

The motor being replaced is actually a plus since it’s a known issue with these cars. Suspension fixes are also common, so it’s good that those were addressed.

We have a 2017 model with over twice the mileage. The only big issue we’ve had was a coolant leak where the seals connecting to the battery got brittle. Luckily, no major damage because the summer wasn’t too hot.