Ferrari Sells Vehicles with Repair Marks as New, Sparking Controversy
The Italian luxury sports car brand Ferrari, which prides itself on brand value and quality in the high-end automotive market, is losing consumer trust due to allegations of selling vehicles with repair marks as new cars.
According to legal sources, an individual entrepreneur known as Mr. A filed a lawsuit for damages of 480 million won against Ferrari's headquarters and its official domestic importer, FMK, in the Seoul Central District Court last May, claiming that "a defective vehicle was sold to him as a new car."
Upon reviewing the lawsuit, Mr. A purchased a new Ferrari vehicle through a leasing method for approximately 500 million won in September of last year.
Mr. A reportedly signed the purchasing contract for this vehicle, which was a custom order, in May 2023 and received it after a long wait of one year and four months.
However, as Mr. A found himself using the vehicle less frequently, he decided to list it for resale in February of this year due to the burden of a monthly leasing fee that reached 4 million won, just five months after the purchase.
Shocking 'Accident Vehicle' Classification of High-End Sports Car
Mr. A requested a performance and condition inspection through an authorized institution, which is mandatory under the Automobile Management Act before selling a used car.
At the time, the vehicle's accumulated mileage was only 463 km, and Mr. A claimed that no minor accidents had occurred.
However, the inspection results were shocking. The Ferrari, which was believed to be accident-free, was classified as an 'accident vehicle.'
During the inspection process, traces of screws being loosened and then recombined were found in the trunk area, and the right rear fender showed evidence of being dented and then forcibly straightened.
The classification of having an accident history becomes a significant factor that drastically lowers the resale price of a used car, regardless of its actual operational performance.
Consequently, Mr. A demanded an explanation from Ferrari's headquarters, but the company responded that "the signs of repair are the result of normal adjustment work during the production process and they bear no responsibility."
Ultimately, Mr. A was dissatisfied with this response and decided to file a lawsuit for damages.
Customers choose Ferrari not only for its speed or elegant design but also due to the premium value and the trust backed by thorough quality control.
The industry is closely watching how Ferrari will manage this controversy and regain consumer trust.
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