A Somerset resident was left profoundly shaken after his prized Tesla electric car unexpectedly exploded into flames while parked at the roadside, transforming his "dream car" into a smouldering wreck in moments.
Almighty Explosion Shatters Quiet Evening
Rich Farrant, 56, was inside his Compton Dando home when he heard what he described as "an almighty explosion" followed by a strange hissing noise. Rushing outside, he discovered his 2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance engulfed in flames. "It was my dream car, really, and it just went up in smoke," Farrant recounted, visibly distressed by the memory. "I was really shaken up. If someone was walking past the car, that would have been horrific."
Previous Issues and Accident History
The vehicle, purchased for approximately £12,000 from auction platform Copart just one month earlier in October, had already presented charging difficulties prior to the catastrophic incident on November 17. Investigations revealed the Tesla had previously been involved in an accident, though the exact nature of that collision remains unspecified. A neighbour quickly intervened with a fire extinguisher to douse the blaze before fire crews arrived for precautionary checks, but the car was ultimately declared a total loss.
Tesla Declines Investigation and Additional Features
In a disappointing turn for Farrant, Tesla confirmed they were unable to inspect the destroyed vehicle to determine the cause of the explosion. The manufacturer stated in correspondence: "We can confirm that the vehicle was purchased third-party via a co-partner and was involved in an accident. Additionally, the vehicle was not inspected on-site at Tesla, and the cause of the fire damage has not been investigated by our local teams."
Undeterred, Farrant purchased another Tesla from Copart for £9,000, hoping to maintain his aspiration of owning a self-driving vehicle. However, he discovered this replacement lacked the enhanced autopilot and full self-driving capabilities of his original car. Tesla refused to install these features without charge, writing: "Upon review, we are unable to offer any goodwill gesture in response to the concerns raised... Given the above, we are unable to install FSD or EAP on the vehicle."
Safety Concerns and Manufacturer Silence
The incident raises significant questions about electric vehicle safety, particularly concerning previously damaged vehicles sold through third-party channels. A Tesla spokesman declined to comment further on the matter, leaving unanswered questions about potential systemic issues. For Farrant, the experience has been both financially and emotionally taxing, transforming what began as an exciting purchase into a frightening reminder of vehicle vulnerability.
As electric vehicles become increasingly common on British roads, this explosion highlights the importance of thorough vehicle inspections and transparent history reporting, especially for cars with previous accident damage. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for consumers purchasing vehicles through auction platforms rather than directly from manufacturers.
