A Tesla Model 3, purchased from a salvage yard by a London bus driver, Iain Ashton, revealed a startling incident that led to its damaged state. The car’s onboard footage showcased a terrifying moment of pedal misapplication by the former owner. The video captured the woman, presumably the previous owner, entering the driver’s seat without closing the door.
As she settled in, the car unexpectedly began to accelerate, veering across lanes and onto a sidewalk. Miraculously, it narrowly missed a pedestrian before colliding with an electrical box. The incident caused a widespread internet outage and left the driver in shock. The Tesla Model 3 involved in the crash had been the subject of a long search for its owner, who had been eyeing a blue exterior with a white interior for two years.
After saving up, he successfully bid on the car at an auction for 8,100 pounds ($10,800). Despite the car’s damaged hood, bumper, door, and front fender, which cost him 1,300 pounds ($1,732) to repair, he was excited to take it home. However, his excitement quickly turned to shock when he discovered the locked screen required a PIN code to unlock.
After numerous unsuccessful attempts using common PINs, he finally stumbled upon the correct code on his 158th try. To his horror, the footage revealed that his new car had been involved in a serious accident. The video showed the car careening out of control, narrowly missing other vehicles and pedestrians before coming to a sudden stop.
The owner was stunned to learn that his seemingly pristine car had been involved in such a dramatic incident. The footage raised questions about the cause of the crash and the effectiveness of the car’s safety systems. While the brakes should have been able to bring the vehicle to a stop, regardless of the drivetrain’s condition, the video suggested that the driver had been unable to access the brake pedal.
This raised concerns about the car’s design and the potential for human error in emergencies. The incident also highlighted the importance of thorough vehicle inspections before purchase.
While the owner had been aware of the car’s exterior damage, he had not been able to assess the full extent of its history or the potential safety risks associated with it. The footage served as a stark reminder that even seemingly minor cosmetic damage can hide more serious underlying issues.
